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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproval to Implement Aerial Flashbangs and Inert Blast Ball '�. 2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach,CA - 92648 City of Huntington Beach APPROVED 7-0 y2 � �UUPTY \� File#: 25-636 MEETING DATE: 9/2/2025 REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager VIA: Eric Parra, Chief of Police PREPARED BY: Julio Mendez, Lieutenant and Kimberly Rodriguez, Management Analyst Subiect: Approval to Implement Aerial Flashbangs and Inert Blast Balls for Critical Incident Response Statement of Issue: The Huntington Beach Police Department is seeking approval to implement aerial flashbangs and inert blast balls as additional tools for effective crowd management and de-escalation during critical incidents. The objective is to improve officer and public safety by providing alternative non-lethal options that minimize the risk of injury while restoring order. Financial Impact: The requested items will be funded through the department's Special Operations Fund. The department plans to purchase up to 100 units of each item over time; however, not all purchases will occur within a single fiscal year. The estimated cost for 100 40mm Aerial Flash-Bangs is $4,800, at approximately $48 per unit. For the inert blast balls, two models are under consideration: the standard Rubber Ball at $59.69 each, totaling $5,969, and the Rubber Ball with Safety Clip at $63.89 each, totaling $6,389. All purchases will be made incrementally and within the department's existing budget. Recommended Action: Approve the implementation of aerial flashbangs and inert blast balls as authorized non-lethal tools for use by the Huntington Beach Police Department during critical incident response. Alternative Action(s): Do not approve and direct staff accordingly. Analysis: Recent events have highlighted the need for enhanced tools to address volatile crowd situations that pose a risk to public safety, officer safety, and property. Aerial flashbangs and inert blast balls are designed to create loud noise and bright flashes of light, temporarily disorienting individuals without City of Huntington Beach Page 1 of 2 Printed on 8/28/2025 powered by Legistarn" 146 File#: 25-636 MEETING DATE: 9/2/2025 causing permanent harm. Their use is intended to facilitate peaceful crowd dispersal in high-risk situations where other less-lethal options or verbal commands may be ineffective. The Huntington Beach Police Department already maintains specialized tools, including military equipment authorized under AB 481. The use of such equipment is governed by strict protocols, including oversight, training, and legal compliance. These new tools would be available only to trained personnel and deployed based on a clear assessment of the totality of circumstances. The proposed implementation supports the City's commitment to community safety, de-escalation, and transparency, while providing officers with the flexibility needed to manage unpredictable and dynamic critical incidents. Please see the attached memorandum for the plan of implementation and integration of these tools. Environmental Status: Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b) (5), administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment do not constitute a project. Strategic Plan Goal: Goal 8 - Public Safety, Strategy B - Bolster City's emergency management preparedness and response plans to ensure seamless public safety response during crisis events. For details, visit www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/strategicplan. Attachment(s): 1.Interdepartmental Memo to the Chief of Police City of Huntington Beach Page 2 of 2 Printed on 8/28/2025 powered by LegistarTM 147 . . • . . , T I It.V.r 014: 1.3 E it , • • • ; - • H .-. • 7.17 -POLICE DEPARTMENT To Eric parre, chief of Police from; J'alfo,Mandea;!t,tantenant. Date .2025 .Sobjact. Implementation of Aeriat Flashbangs and Blast.Ball tined itIOtselllia4era) .PtirPose:i ThiS;theinti'PropOieS the implementation of and inert blast bait as additional toolaforeffectiveorowd management and.de-escalation during critical incidents.,The objective Is to,annarica'otiOlid and officer safety by providing non-lethal options that minimize the risk of , .:Injory while restoring-Order:, .Baticoround:. Recent incidenta have underscored the need for improved methods to safely and :diapetSebrdirdS, particularly In vOlátiléSittlatiorielktherettaOltionatVerbal,cornitandSOr kiating: less-lethal options,may be insufficient Aerial,..flaShbangs.and inert blast balls prodno0high- decibel noise and<.lightintended to temporarily disorient groups,creating an opportunity for peaCefutdiaPersallaVithout causing leafing harm. The Huntington 130aChPoilOp:O.epartinent:(iii3.01))maintains various specialized tools, military equipment aadefined.by!-A8 481,tii,.tuopoti.itsibistiOti of OftVidirigthe highest level of :terVidelo,Otir dainindni*::PosieSSion Of this etitlipinentdoee-natineartit4iiii be:tiSed indiscriminately,.instead, H.ppp recognizes tOatoritiOaj incidents are often worst:R.00*RO, .dynamic,irequiringfie*ibleoptioria to resolve situations safely',ThedeplOyment:Of.military equipment is strictly controlled,limited to authorized personnel,and used only when based on the totality Of cirdiiinStantea,Oubli4eafetybon0ideittioneffiOettafety, and CoMPliandesWith state and federal:la .. On May 4,-2025;HBPD'a Mobile Field Force and Mountee,fpiforpernent:14nikofficers participated in joint training at theOporgeingakgooestrian Event Center in Norco, California Ihis,edliatprativoinateing Was conducted 1poartnerahip with the Mobile Field Force Geographic Teain•(11•11FFGT)'end.'.theoitange County Regional Mounted Enforcement Unit(OCRMEU);the , •training fodiaed ñ coordinated'CroVid..,coritrOrtadtida,integrotioPekerditeS, and defiloYitierit Of , - • less-lethalrnuflitions CeftifiOation'training,ileifOy the,Los Angeles;Coynty.Sheriffs Sheriffs Response Teein.:(LA044(kT),'cowed preparation,tactics,and deployment Of two specialized devices:: the Aerial Burst 40thrp:Oashbang andtheRobberBlast Ball (inert) The aerial fleOliOang.4 lannthethii-040thin latitithet.„While the:fibber blatt.balt 1.4 hariddepidyed:'Both,are aree- depli*ed biota.used prodike bud iibiteld distiattandendburage dbinplianceiiithadt. direct'targeting of individuais,:Ttiosadevicea arepotconelOgred:eNse of force"since tey are depignedlor"area;offeCt yatherthan inclividkiatimpaOt; 148 Implementation Overview: TO..Surze4sfigylintOgratO tfw.,50Pgiki006-!:IPrPrOW0,-.cOMFPLite..,:f011OW1h.q.ith016MehtatiOrt. prOd.e4hteeate.feddihtherided. 1. P000 13-0.0'11.00100ht o Draft comprehensive.601delfriet,tiefitiii4,atithorited'Utel prioritizing de-escalation and publiceafetik. o _StahlkhqtegrgritOriq'for deployment,ihcfpgiogjhetence„s of violent crowd behavior,significant propeity damage, or situations involving a.-deOlai•eapifitaWkil attelthjy... • Rettuite..SiipetvisOt4prOVal ekig-Otit circumstances Training: o Mandate framing for-all personnettoolved in crowd management,covering safe handling,tactical deployment,effeds:hh.thAlida,and rhedidatbohaiddiatioria. 0- Use-esehario-baseffekeraisesAcirehifordeaounitdecisiorwhaking ukleettress, Equipment Accountability Assign-cleviceate4aSighatectiNtol*Fiefo".fwe supervisors o.specialized teattts, :Maihtain detailedinVetitOty:.and deployment teCititda. t?, Require documentation pf, vtoty-4009yhintithrpti00;:41900.1494;Ift0F7.009n. Operational boploymont: ;0- Store devices securely in response vehicles assigned to pre!iplahhadand ahohtaitatfied dfoWd control operations.. 141114 deployment to trained:personnel operating under supervision o Prioritize de-escalation,including issi,iingCIpar.verbal Wgnijogs When foosthla. Community Outreach and Transparency:: o Uphold transparency by sharing information abodt:e4Ohitehti...dehlo9thenti pe4cfasi'anif:traihrhg;afrot**th:thq.cormhuhity.; o ..Engage residents at ppmiminitiOveflt4',.1044.0g9t3g.n110(40.Pi.: academies,Coffee with,A- o0; and other outreach OpPOrtiihitiee, Display the of thilitall'ailhipthatititi dothOliatide'With:AR 4181-1t4titteitietift, spy9,might,-,ahici ge,pt(N; o Conduct 0011.1rOPPCHP:Vek TOVIOWA.P.f.alt.400tpyrnents" to ensure compliance and :identify training or 001tcy,:„IittproVeirbehtt. o. .IntiudeAdtt.tilideplOyenetits. .tiittitheatide* fld OUttbitte§..in atihtial Military Equipment Reports submitted to the City Council ,Ensure alhereppeAo all applicable los; dopitnIqpto:polopq„-ppo. Benefit ': .0! ;Reduces reliance on physical tece-by'alloiiiihd..offibett.toSafely create distance and diSperseAggFeeske-orhoh7compliantcrowdsz .0 Decreases the risk of thjelyio.cohllhhhitypierhhers and officers compared to. impact4basedtes-iethal tools, .0 Ehhatite OV.6tall..seety with thrittolted;:titifititiloadtaitertiatiVef :that help'itettireorder.whilêminimizihg harm. z 149 Next Steps: Request City Council approval.to adopt this implementation plan and authorize the deployment of these de*Ices. Conclusion: This implementation plan provides a safe, effective, and accountable approach for managing critiôàlincidéAts.itivavirid large or aggreashie,crOwds. 13y:adopting these tools and pOtioies the City of Huntington Beach can better protect the safety of the public, officers,and property,while maintaining transparency and cornrndoity trnst. APPROVED 019 FORM • áGLIi 61!)!Alt RNE? miCHA BEACHCITY Of,.)04TRIGT01 150 From: Stacey Shell To: 5uvplementalcomm©surfcity-hb.org Subject: Strong Support for Agenda Item 25-636: HBPD Non-Lethal Tools Implementation Date: Friday,August 29,2025 8:57:54 AM Dear Honorable Members of the City Council, This letter expresses strong support for Agenda Item 25-636. This concerns the approval and implementation of aerial flashbangs and inert blast balls. These are authorized non-lethal tools for the Huntington Beach Police Department's critical incident response. As outlined in the accompanying memo from the Police Department,the purpose of these tools is to enhance both public and officer safety. This is achieved by providing additional non-lethal options for effective crowd management and de-escalation during critical incidents. Equipping the HBPD with these tools is a proactive measure. It can minimize the risk of injury while safely restoring order in volatile situations, especially when traditional methods may not be sufficient. The proposed implementation plan focuses on clear policy development, mandatory training, and equipment accountability. It also emphasizes a commitment to transparency and community outreach. This demonstrates a thoughtful and responsible approach to integrating these tools. The emphasis on de-escalation as a priority and the adherence to AB 481 requirements for oversight and reporting is particularly appreciated. Providing the police department with a wider range of effective, non-lethal tools is essential for modern policing. This directly contributes to the safety and well-being of the community. The City Council is urged to approve this crucial initiative. Thank you for your time and consideration of this important matter. Stacey Shell SUPPLEMENTAL COMMUNICATION Meeting Date: jz/01 3LO) Agenda Item INo.; From: marl beth vierra To: suoolementalcomm(@surfcity-hb.orq Subject: City Council Meeting 9/3/2025 Date: Monday,September 1,2025 7:58:10 AM You don't often get email from maribethseilsoc@gmail.com.Learn why this is important' Hello. I am a longtime resident of Huntington Beach. As a citizen and registered voter, I wish to express my opposition to the following: 1. I am opposed to the Pacific Airshow on the basis of economic and environmental impact. 2. I am opposed to the use of aerial flashbangs and "blast balls" for critical incident( (response as this only aggravates difficult situations and encourages violence.; - 3. I oppose any efforts by the City of Huntington Beach to interfere with the Special Election for Redistricting. Thank you. Mari Beth Vierra CA Realtor Appraiser 714/747-9690