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Quick reads — Oroville residents question police use of Flock cameras
Oroville residents question police use of Flock cameras
Weeks after Chico police came under scrutiny for sharing license plate reader data in violation of state law, another North State police department is addressing concerns about the technology.
Oroville police held a community meeting this week to address privacy concerns about the city’s Flock cameras.
City council records indicate Oroville has at least 50 cameras.
Community members questioned how police use them, including whether they can track people’s movements. KRCR reports some also wanted to know whether the cameras were mostly placed in minority and low-income areas.
Police say camera locations are based on calls for service, vehicle thefts and major entrances and exits around the city.
The department says it doesn’t use the cameras for GPS tracking or facial recognition.
Oroville police share camera data with 321 other California agencies and say they conduct weekly audits to prevent improper sharing.
Paradise native takes over as Butte County’s behavioral health director
Scott Kennelly retired as Butte County’s Behavioral Health Director this week after 26 years with the department. His last day was Tuesday.
Kennelly has been replaced by Dr. Tony Hobson, a longtime mental health administrator and psychologist who most recently served as Colusa County’s behavioral health director. Hobson also previously led behavioral health departments in Plumas, Sutter and Yuba counties, and has also worked for Butte County Behavioral Health.
According to a 2018 Plumas News article, Hobson is a Paradise native. The Washington Post reported that he lost his home there in the 2018 Camp Fire.
According to a Butte County Board of Supervisors agenda item, Hobson’s three-year contract began Monday.