Councilmember Homes Targeted by Vandals

City Councilmember Angelique Ashby consults with city crews in front of her Natomas home. / Photo NatomasBuzz.com

BY BRANDY TUZON BOYD
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

City crews work to remove paint from Ashby’s driveway in Natomas. / Photo NatomasBuzz.com

The home of Natomas Councilmember Angelique Ashby was targeted overnight by vandals.

The incident happened shortly after 12 a.m. when a barbecue tin full of firecrackers was set off next to Ashby’s garage door and a bucket of red paint splashed on the sidewalk in front of her home in the Creekside neighborhood.

“I am disheartened and disappointed,” said Ashby, who spoke to city crews trying to remove the paint Wednesday morning in front of her home.

Councilmember Jay Schenirer’s home in Curtis Park was similarly targeted at about 3 a.m. Wednesday with red paint and firecrackers.

Sacramento Police are investigating the incidents as vandalism and have collected evidence from both scenes, including video surveillance from Ashby’s home.

“This morning the Sacramento Police Department was made aware that two city council members residences were vandalized overnight,” read a statement from the Sacramento Police Department public information team. “Our Criminal Intelligence Unit will be investigating these incidents and the circumstances regarding the vandalism.”

The reason for the vandalism is not known, but the mayor, city council and city manager have recently faced criticism on police reform and how the Sacramento Police Dept. is funded. One local columnist recently questioned city budgeting priorities and asked why protesters were not demonstrating at the homes of city leaders, specifically Ashby, Vice Mayor Jeff Harris and City Manager Howard Chan.

On Tuesday, the city council unanimously adopted a new use of force policy which included five of 14 police reforms suggested by Ashby. Those include adopting Breonna’s Law, which ends the use of no-knock raid warrants, and supporting the statewide carotid hold ban, which Sacramento Police have already eliminated.

In a special meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. today, July 1, the City Council will get a policing update and consider additional policing reform proposals.

City Councilmember Angelique Ashby speaks during the June 30 city council meeting. / Photo NatomasBuzz.com