Sheriffs office forum on military equipment report to be held June 9

After a May 28 presentation at the Goleta Community Center, the sheriff’s office will host a presentation in Shepard Hall at the Santa Maria Public Library on June 9.

The 30-minute informational sessions will be held in both English and Spanish, with the English session starting at 6 p.m. and the Spanish session starting at 6:30 p.m.

In a release announcing the meetings, the sheriff’s office said that the term “military equipment†does not necessarily indicate equipment used by the military.

Most of the equipment possessed by the department is used by law enforcement agencies across the country to enhance community and officer safety.

The Military Equipment Annual Report and corresponding community meeting are part legislation — Assembly Bill 481 — signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 30, 2021.  AB 481 was created to increase public transparency and provide government oversight when California law enforcement agencies seek to fund, acquire, and/or use “military equipment.â€

On May 25, 2022, the county Board of Supervisors approved the local ordinance, SB Ordinance 5157, tied to the state law and approved policies related to military equipment.

The 24-page report provided details the equipment used; ranging from unmanned aircraft systems and drones, to tactical or bomb-interfacing robots, and even armored vehicles or weapons — lethal and less-than-lethal. 

The report also provides information on the amount of equipment currently under the control of the department and whether it has been used during the past year. 

During the meetings, the sheriff's office will also provide information on the additional items it possesses that were obtained from the federal government through the Defense Logistics Agency Law Enforcement Support Office military surplus equipment program.