Tag Archives: Vallejo Times-Herald

Police reform, Police violence, Vallejo Police, Vallejo Times-Herald

Vallejo Times-Herald: 3 news features on Vallejo police

The following 3 articles appeared on June 15 and 16 in the Vallejo Times-Herald.  Many thanks to reporter John Glidden and VT-H staff for covering this intensely important issue in a time of crisis and needed change.  We are especially appreciative for the link to the 74-page report, “VALLEJO POLICE DEPARTMENT: Independent Assessment of Operations, Internal Review Systems, and Agency Culture.”  – Roger Straw

Vallejo City Council to review analysis of police department

BY JOHN GLIDDEN, June 15, 2020

The Vallejo City Council will get its first public view on Tuesday of a report analyzing the operations, culture and internal review of the Vallejo Police Department.

The 70-page assessment prepared by the OIR Group praises the hard work done by Vallejo police but it does note an us versus them mentality as “the prevailing sentiment (in the department) was that officers who are willing to contend with dangerous crime in a thankless environment should at least be empowered to do so without unnecessary scrutiny or interference.”

“Much of the department seems to have an aggrieved perspective toward local politicians, the media, and its critics in the activist and legal communities (including an active plaintiffs’ bar),” the report states…. [continued]

Vallejo’s police union files restraining order to block release of officer’s name involved in Monterrosa shooting

BY JOHN GLIDDEN, June 16, 2020

The Vallejo police union filed a temporary restraining order in Solano Superior Court on Monday to prevent the city from releasing the name of any officer involved in the fatal police shooting of 22-year-old Sean Monterrosa, according to court records and a union representative.

Vallejo officials said Tuesday that the city intends to oppose the restraining order and release the names of the involved officer(s) on its own terms…. [continued]

Vallejo Police Department banned from training on Touro’s campus following union’s Facebook post

BY JOHN GLIDDEN, June 16, 2020

Vallejo police will not longer be allowed to train on Touro University California’s Mare Island campus after the police union issued a statement Saturday criticizing those protesting the death of Sean Monterrosa.Touro University California Provost Dr. Sarah M. Sweitzer said the university was “appalled” by the statement from the Vallejo Police Officer’s Association questioning those attending the march, she wrote in a June 13 message posted to the university’s web page.

“As a community that stands against systemic racism and institutionalized inequity… [continued]

Benicians for a Safe and Healthy Community

Need for better coverage of BSHC in local press

[Editor: I sent the following letter to the Editor of the Benicia Herald.  It was published in the July 6 print edition.    A similar letter was sent to the Vallejo Times-Herald, but has yet to appear there.  – RS]

Why no coverage of BSHC event?

July 2, 2014, Benicia Herald Forum, p. A4

In response to the recent release of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) on Valero’s proposed Crude by Rail project, three groups held public meetings on the massive document this past week.  Benicians for a Safe and Healthy Community (BSHC) held an event on Saturday, June 28; Valero and the Benicia Planning Commission held events on Monday, June 30.  BSHC sent out a timely press release, announced the event in emails, and submitted it for inclusion in the Benicia Herald Community Calendar.  I am aware that your staff cannot be everywhere and cover every significant event in town.  Nevertheless, I regret that only the Valero and Planning Commission forums received prominent and detailed coverage in the July 2 edition of the Benicia Herald.

Readers might want to balance the promotional perspectives shared by Valero at its meeting, and the comments of the City’s contract attorney at the Planning Commission workshop by looking over the information on SafeBenicia.org and/or BeniciaIndependent.com.  A video of parts of the June 28 BSHC workshop on how to read and comment on an EIR can be seen on YouTube at http://youtu.be/9Prey7fckk8, (thanks to Constance Beutel).

An increasing number of thoughtful citizens in Benicia oppose Valero’s proposal, for good reason: the City’s health and safety are at risk; our uprail communities (Davis, Sacramento, etc.) do not want Valero’s trains putting their health and safety at risk; and California, the U.S., Canada – and the earth – cannot handle more dirty and explosive crude oil when clean energy is our chosen future and legislated mandate.  To remain truly competitive into the future, Valero should invest in a plan for an immediate transition away from fossil fuels.

Roger Straw
Member of the Steering Committee
Benicians for a Safe and Healthy Community
www.SafeBenicia.org

(Note: Here are links for Benicia Herald coverage of the Valero forum and Planning Commission forum.)