Anaheim has seen growing friction between the Anaheim Police Association (APA) and Disney Resort, highlighted by a failed "Gate Tax" proposal and ongoing disputes over police overtime assignments, according to www.orangejuiceblog.com. These developments follow a recent LA Times story, referenced by the blog, which detailed that Anaheim Police Union leaders reportedly accumulated significant earnings from Disney overtime assignments.
The source material distinguishes between the APA, the police union, and the Anaheim Police Department (APD). It suggests that union leadership secured many of the desirable resort-district assignments and controversial overtime opportunities, while over 400 other Anaheim officers did not.
Indicators of this friction include the 2024 campaign for Council District 5, where Disney-backed Kristen Maahs defeated union-backed former officer Andrew Sarega. Sarega's campaign materials reportedly mentioned Disney "corruption." In August 2025, a text survey, later determined by Duane Roberts to be from the police union, polled public opinion on topics such as Disney's influence in City Hall, who should decide law enforcement at Disney, and support for a "Gate Tax" to fund police.
The "Gate Tax" proposal surfaced in October 2025, put forth by Councilwoman Natalie Rubalcava. The proposal, which www.orangejuiceblog.com suggests the police union was behind, failed to garner any votes from other council members. According to the blog, Councilmember Rubalcava stated in an Oct. 28 policy briefing that Disney's president had informed city staff Disney would stop development if the tax initiative were approved. Disneyland officials later stated they have no record supporting Rubalcava’s allegations.
Union Vice President Tony Lee, who advocated for the "Gate Tax," described working overtime as a "sacrifice" necessary for an "understaffed department" covering resort demands. Lee reportedly held a "lifelong appointment" to the Resort Policing Team, which granted "preferential access to overtime." After this access was reportedly "snatched away" starting last December, Lee filed a claim against the city in May, alleging "retaliation" and a "halving" of his take-home pay. Lee's claim also accused Disney of enforcing "arrest quotas" which he failed or refused to meet. As evidence, Lee cited a Disney manager complaining about insufficient arrests for banned items and a superior, Carringer, allegedly telling him to "limit overtime for under-performing officers." Subsequently, Lee was reportedly transferred from supervising the Resort Policing Team, leading to a "dramatic decrease" in his earning potential. Disneyland officials denied the existence of arrest quotas, noting that officers are under the command of the APD, not the resort.
When asked about the overtime controversy and whether the city followed up on an internal review, City Spokesman Mike Lyster declined to comment. Lyster also declined to provide how much Disney spends reimbursing the city for police overtime, citing "respect for all involved" and stating the city would not engage "at this level of detail on matters of staffing, scheduling, operations and personnel." The "Cid Video," described as "dumb and embarrassing," was also referenced by www.orangejuiceblog.com in relation to the LA Times story.
