Hello all! There are quite a few city meetings this month, and while I invite you all to all of them, please know that the City Council meetings and the joint Police Oversight & Accountability Committee/Surveillance Advisory Board meeting are the ones that we really need people at. The other scheduled POAC and SAB meetings are not less important, and I do ask that if you feel compelled you join us at those too.
- Tuesday, September 8th: Regular City Council Meeting, City Hall (555 Santa Clara St), 7PM.
- Flock and surveillance is not on the agenda, but it is important for us to make public comment during community forum. This meeting has many scheduled topics, including appointments to the Police Oversight & Accountability Commission, as well as how appointments can be made to the Surveillance Advisory Board. The agenda for the meeting can be found here. This can be joined in person or via zoom here.
- Our primary focus is on continuing to voice our concerns around Flock and surveillance. We’re also asking when the promised joint POAC/SAB meeting will take place.
- Please consider joining us in making public comment regarding surveillance, APLRs, and Flock at this meeting. If you’re not comfortable making public comment, please consider sending an email to your city council member or giving them a call using our toolkit. As the meeting is on Tuesday, we recommend sending emails or making calls by the end of the day tomorrow, Monday the 7th. The toolkit can also be used to assist with forming public comment if needed!
- The toolkit can be found here.
- Flock and surveillance is not on the agenda, but it is important for us to make public comment during community forum. This meeting has many scheduled topics, including appointments to the Police Oversight & Accountability Commission, as well as how appointments can be made to the Surveillance Advisory Board. The agenda for the meeting can be found here. This can be joined in person or via zoom here.
- Thursday, September 10th: Regular Police Oversight & Accountability Commission Meeting, City Hall (555 Santa Clara St), 6:30PM
- The POAC is scheduled to meet this Thursday, September 10th. The agenda has not been posted on the city website yet. Comments can be made during community forum, unless Flock, ALPRs, or surveillance is on the agenda. If on the agenda, comment can be made during public comment time for that item. This can be joined in person or via zoom.
- Thursday, September 17th: Regular Surveillance Advisory Board Meeting, JFK Library (Downstairs, 505 Santa Clara St), 6:30PM
- The SAB is scheduled to meet next Thursday, September 17th. The agenda has not been posted on the city website yet. Each month, Flock usage is reported as an information item. Any public comment can be made during the forum at this time. This can be joined in person or via zoom.
- Tuesday, September 22nd: Regular City Council Meeting, City Hall (555 Santa Clara St), 7PM
- The City Council is scheduled to meet a second time on Tuesday, September 22nd. If the POAC/SAB joint meeting happens prior to this City Council meeting, it can e expected that the council will reopen discussions around funding for the Flock contract at this time. The agenda has not been officially posted yet. This can be joined in person or via zoom.
- Our toolkit may be updated between now and the 22nd, and another newsletter will go out by then with any updates!
Never given public comment before? That’s complete fine! It can feel difficult sometimes. We recommend using notecards, a notebook/notepad, piece of paper, or something else to organize your thoughts. This can make it significantly easier to give comment! Standard time during City of Vallejo meetings is 3 minutes, but it can sometimes be 2 or even 1. It can be helpful to prepare a speech or comment ahead of time and practice it a few times, timing how long it takes. This way, you can be sure to say everything clearly and concisely, still within the given time!
Unable to come in person? All of these meetings will also be available via zoom, and you can dial in! Instructions to join remotely are available on each meetings agenda.
Don’t live within the City of Vallejo? Live in Benicia, American Canyon, Fairfield, or Suisun but still come to Vallejo often or work or social life? You can still attend the meeting, and make comment if you’re comfortable! Surveillance in Vallejo affects all those who pass through, not just residents!
Please consider joining us this Tuesday, September 9th and Tuesday, September 22nd at City Hall at 7PM for very important council meetings!
Want to attend a DeFlock Vallejo educational event? We’d love to do more! We’d be happy to host more educational events, providing general 101-education on Flock equipment, and why we oppose it. Are you a business owner, group leader, or other organizer interested? Please reach out via or contact form or email!
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