Newport Beach police stand to gain $130,000 in federal money for overtime patrols targeting drug trafficking along the city's coastline and harbor, pending a City Council vote Tuesday, Aug. 25.
The grant comes from Operation Stonegarden, a Department of Homeland Security program that funds cooperation between Border Patrol and local law enforcement to combat border-related crime. The council is scheduled to vote on Resolution No. 2026-60 at its 4 p.m. meeting. The item is on the consent calendar.
Newport Beach is one of seven Orange County cities receiving Stonegarden funds this cycle. Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Seal Beach, La Habra and Orange are also participating. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department, led by Sheriff Chad Bianco, is administering a total $2.7 million award split among 11 agencies.
According to the city staff report, prepared by Chief of Police David Miner and Deputy Chief Shawn Randell, the $130,000 would fund personnel overtime in the Detective Division. City spokeswoman Georgia Rios told Voice of OC the money would also cover equipment including safety cameras and "narcotics identification devices." The staff report's budget amendment lists only overtime accounts.
The staff report describes the California coastline as "a border-crime target for maritime drug and human smuggling" that leads to kidnappings, assaults, murders, money laundering and weapons trafficking.
Councilmember Robyn Grant, who represents the city's 4th District, said in an Aug. 22 email to Voice of OC that the grant is "an opportunity to leverage federal grant funding to enhance our Police Department and strengthen public safety in our community, specifically adding officer hours to protect our coastline, harbor, residents, and visitors."
No other council members responded to Voice of OC's request for comment.
Sanctuary law preserved
The grant's memorandum of agreement explicitly states that participating cities will continue to comply with California's sanctuary law, SB 54. The agreement bars recipient agencies from enforcing immigration laws on behalf of Customs and Border Protection or Border Patrol.
Critics have raised concerns about the program's ties to DHS. Sandra De Anda, director of policy for the Orange County Rapid Response Network and a candidate for Santa Ana City Council, questioned why cities would partner with the department given its "poor reputation in the county," according to Voice of OC.
The funds must be spent by Feb. 28, 2028.
The council meets at 4 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall. Residents can watch the meeting livestream or submit public comments through the city's website.
