City Council Members,
As we are all aware, the controversy related to Chico’s ALPR system has become quite heated. Chico PD is currently performing an internal audit led by Captain Jeremy Struthers to determine if any information from the system was shared in violation of State Law or PD’s guidelines for the system’s use, specifically whether or not information was shared with ICE for purposes of immigration enforcement. I have every confidence that this audit will reveal exactly what did or did not occur. The results will be reported to the Council at our September 21 meeting.
Some elements of our community will not accept the results of an internal audit from Chico PD in this matter. Given the sensitivity of the issue and the emotion surrounding it I think it prudent to appoint a 3rd party to review the results of the internal audit and the processes employed to conduct it.
I propose that Council appoint an ad hoc committee comprised of Councilors Mike O’Brien and Addison Winslow to select an impartial 3rd party to conduct a review of the audit.
Having a credible 3rd party review the results should remove any doubts regarding the validity of the findings.
Tom van Overbeek
Councilmember, District 6