Laguna Beach police dispatched nine officers to Santa Ana on Saturday night after receiving a request for assistance from that city’s police department during a night of protests and riots across the nation.
Five officers were initially deployed around 9 p.m. on Saturday. That number was nearly doubled by the end of the night. The Laguna Beach officers dispatched to Santa Ana returned home safely, said Sgt. Jim Cota, a spokesperson for the Laguna Beach Police Department.
Cota wrote in a text message Saturday that Laguna Beach remains fully staffed for emergency response. As part of Orange County’s emergency mutual aid system, Laguna Beach police provide assistance to neighboring police agencies when called upon. In return, Laguna receives help from other jurisdictions when in need.
Several hundred protestors threw fireworks and other explosives at police on Saturday while marching in Santa Ana, walking into traffic and shouting “black lives matter” in remembrance of George Floyd, according to the Orange County Register.
This story is developing and will be updated as necessary.
