Hello all! A second newsletter this week, my apologies but please check it out! We have an update from the Surveillance Advisory Board meeting on Thursday the 17th, as well as an announcement for the upcoming City Council meeting this Tuesday the 22nd. Please join us to make comment during community forum at 7PM!
- The Surveillance Advisory Board voted unanimously to agendize a future discussion to possibly change their recommendation on the Flock contract. This meeting will likely take place in November. Additionally, they voted unanimously not to hold a future discussion regarding SAB members volunteering with VPD, and voted unanimously to agendize a future discussion regarding how to conduct audits of the existing and future surveillance technology. During this item, it was stated that VPD has now completed a network audit of the Flock system, but that the results are not publicly available yet.
Overall, we’re satisfied with how the meeting went. The Surveillance Advisory Board also stated that the joint meeting with the Police Oversight and Accountability Commission will likely be scheduled for the SAB’s usual slot n October, most likely October 15th. I’ll post more about this as information is shared.
The SAB also stated that they will be attempting to attend the Farmers Market on September 26th, next Saturday, possibly with the members of POAC! if you have interest in meeting members of either board/commission, please come out to the Farmers Market.
As I announced in the last newsletter, the City Council meeting is coming up this Tuesday, September 22nd! The full agenda can be found here.
While the Council will be discussing many things, from a rescue helicopter technician to a one-year building permit fee reduction program for low-income homeowners, we’re focusing on the following:
ACTION ITEM 9C: PROVIDE NOTICE OF INTENT TO AMEND THE FY/26/27 BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE UP TO $464,000 OF MEASURE P FUNDS TO FUND TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE EXPENSES FOR AXON ENTERPRISE, INC. FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027 FOR USE BY THE VALLEJO POLICE DEPARTMENT (STEP 1 OF 2)
Several months ago, when the Measure P Oversight Committee was going through and making (or not making) recommendations for how City Council should use the Measure P budget, they advised against using the funds for Axon technology and equipment. When budget scenarios were presented to City Council, they were given the options of going through and voting on each item (very, very many), or blanket approving every single item that was presented to MPOC, whether or not they recommended it. The Council decided to blanket approve, and every recommendation in either direction made by the Measure P Oversight Committee was set aside. The only item that went to MPOC that wasn’t approved by Council was Flock funding.
Again, the Measure P Oversight Committee recommended against using Measure P taxpayer funds for Axon technology and equipment. We believe this fact was not clearly presented to Council at the time of the budget approval. While VPD originally requested $480,000 in Measure P funds, the amendment to $464,000 is not the improvement we seek. Please join us in making comment at this meeting, and in highlighting that Axon is no better a company than Flock, and that the Measure P Oversight Committee does not recommend any funding.
And as a reminder! The Council wants to hear YOUR thoughts on Flock – join us during Community Forum and let them hear you! Please join us in person if able, or over Zoom, at 7PM on September 22nd at City Hall. If joining via Zoom, please use the link here: https://zoomregular.cityofvallejo.net/
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! We also recently released a helpful toolkit in you’re not too sure what to say! It can be found here.
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, or through this link.
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!
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 our website contact form or by email, deflockvallejo@pm.me!
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