El Monte council pulls $130,000 AI assistant purchase from opioid settlement after public objections

The El Monte City Council removed from its July 8 agenda a proposal to use up to $130,000 from State opioid settlement funds to purchase an “Artificial Intelligence Assistant” software system for the Police Department from Peregrine Technologies. The agenda notation states: the item has been pulled, and the staff report and written public comments opposing the purchase were filed in advance.

Several community organizations and residents filed written comments opposing Item 12.9 before the meeting, including No Data Centers San Gabriel Valley, San Gabriel Valley Progressive Action, and multiple named residents who asked the Council to reject the proposed purchase. The minutes record that Item 12.9 was listed with an estimated not‑to‑exceed cost of $130,000 (Account No. 295-73-703-8145) but that no action was taken because the item was pulled. Councilmembers did not vote on the proposal at the July 8 meeting.