If you are a documented gangbanger in Santa Ana that means the SAPD knows who you are and what gang you are affiliated with. It also means you would be wise to lay low and avoid trouble.
However as we know gangbangers are not too bright. One of these ding dongs was recently arrested by the SAPD after he participated in a public brawl in the area of 2600 S. Baker St.
It is also unwise for gangbangers to run around with weapons. Sure enough the moron in question had a loaded firearm with him at the time of his arrest. Guess how that worked out for this gangbanger?
The ridiculous gangbanger was of course arrested and booked at the Santa Ana jail on weapon violations.
What sort of penalty might this dumb gangbanger be facing? California has strict laws under Penal Code 25850 that prohibit carrying a loaded firearm in most public places or inside any vehicle, whether it is concealed or not. Consider live ammunition in the firing chamber or magazine to determine if a firearm is loaded, according to Chudnovsky Law in Newport Beach.
Penalties for violating PC 25850 include criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. Misdemeanor convictions may result in up to one year in county jail. Felony offenses can carry sentences of 16 months, two years, or three years in state prison.
In another recent gun seizure SAPD patrol officers were conducting a patrol check at the Royal Grand Inn Motel (funny how these cheap motels have such grandiose names but are full of criminals and are generally eyesores) which has a one star rating on Yelp, when the officers tried to make contact with a wanted suspect.
When the suspect saw the officers he of course chose poorly and tried to flee and the officers gave chase. During the foot pursuit the suspect tried to discard a loaded firearm. That did not go well.
The officers arrested the suspect and seized the firearm. The suspect was booked at the Santa Ana City Jail on various weapon and narcotic violations. He might have gotten away with this in Los Angeles County but this is Orange County and you can expect that the OCDA will throw the book at him!
Ah yes the Royal Grand Inn! Along with the nearby Royal Roman, and El Cortez Lodge, they probably account for at least 50% of SAPD calls for service. City should declare them a public nuisance and shut them down– but that would require leadership. I think it took 4 massive fires resulting in a huge expense to city resources and significant danger to public life safety before they took action on Saddleback Inn. Hard to believe that section of First St. used to host some of OC’s best restaurants and hotels. It should be a case study in poor policymaking, but is slowly starting to change back for the better with some fresh new development and finally a respectable hotel again. Just worry where the desperate souls who live in those godawful motels will go. Drug addiction has truly destroyed them; meanwhile the property owners get rich and city leadership gaslights you (and opens more pot shops).