Early yesterday morning, the Santa Ana Police Department’s Quality of Life Team, Directed Patrol, Patrol Division, and Animal Control Unit carried out a large-scale enforcement and outreach operation along the Union Pacific Railroad and the East First, Bristol, and North Main Street corridors, as well as other areas identified through community complaints.
The operation led to:
- 109 arrests (102 misdemeanors and 7 felonies)
- 2 individuals accepted shelter services through City Net and The Salvation Army
- 1 dog taken to the OC Animal Shelter
- Multiple trailers of debris were removed by Landscape West
- SAPD professional staff provided critical support
Here are the typical penalties the suspects may face under California law, based on the types of charges usually involved in SAPD enforcement sweeps:
For Misdemeanor Offenses (102 arrests)
- General Penalty Range
- Up to 364 days in county jail
- Fines up to $1,000 (some offenses like DUI can exceed this)
- Probation, community service, or mandatory classes (e.g., DUI or anger management)
- Possible diversion programs for first-time offenders
- Common Misdemeanors in These Sweeps
- Trespassing (PC 602): Up to 6 months in jail and/or $1,000 fine; aggravated trespass can mean up to 1 year
- Simple Drug Possession (HS 11350): Up to 1 year in county jail and fines; diversion programs often available
- Resisting Arrest (PC 148): Up to 1 year in jail and fines up to $1,000
- Driving Under the Influence (VC 23152): Jail time, fines over $1,000, license suspension, and mandatory DUI classes
For Felony Offenses (7 arrests)
- General Penalty Range
- State prison sentences starting at 16 months to 3 years, and up to life imprisonment for violent felonies
- Fines up to $10,000 or more
- Formal probation may be possible for some non-violent felonies
- Felony convictions trigger loss of gun rights, immigration consequences, and permanent criminal record
- Examples of Felonies in These Sweeps
- Drug Trafficking or Possession for Sale: 3–9 years in state prison and large fines
- Violent Felonies (PC 667.5) such as robbery or assault with a deadly weapon: 3–6 years or more; counts as a “strike” under California’s Three Strikes Law