El Monte council approves $10,000 asset‑forfeiture purchase of less‑than‑lethal projectiles for police

The El Monte City Council approved spending up to $10,000 in asset‑forfeiture funds to purchase less‑than‑lethal pepper powder projectiles, beanbag projectiles and sponge impact projectiles for the Police Department. The recommended vendor is ProForce Law Enforcement and the City instructed Finance to encumber the funds and authorized the City Manager or Chief of Police to sign purchase documents (Account No. 259-71-711-5-0-62700-00000).

The motion to approve the purchase was made by Mayor Jessica Ancona and seconded by Councilmember Martin Herrera; the minutes record the vote as 6-0 (Mayor Pro Tem Longoria absent). The item was listed as 12.8 on the consent calendar and drew written opposition from some community groups that also objected to related agenda items, as recorded in pre-meeting written comments.