Orange County officials likely are breaking the law with a policy allowing immediate destruction of public records and another rule banning public commenters from asking questions of county supervisors or addressing supervisors by name unless they have permission, a Superior Court judge ruled Wednesday.
Tag: American Civil Liberties Union
Posted inCountywide, Government, Top Stories
Judge Hears Arguments on Immediate Destruction of County Public Records
ACLU lawyers say the county has a host of illegal and unconstitutional policies and practices that stifle public information and debate. A judge now will decide if officials are breaking the law and whether to block their policies.
Posted inAnaheim
ACLU Warns Anaheim Over Its Public Comment Structure
The American Civil Liberties Union sent warning letters to Anaheim for its public comment structure and the city attorney’s office, in a response letter, defended the system. Now the Council will discuss the matter in a closed session later this month.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Safety, Security & Justice, Top Stories
ACLU Reports Abuses In OC Jails, But Sheriff Said Findings Have “No Value”
An American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) study determined the sheriff’s department fails to meet physical security, medical and mental health care standards inside Orange County jails, an assertion Sheriff Sandra Hutchens called “inaccurate or purposely distorted.”
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Safety, Security & Justice, Top Stories
OC Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, Embroiled in Jailhouse Snitch Scandal, Says She Won’t Seek Re-Election Next Year
The news comes as her department faces multiple controversies ranging from a federal investigation into the use of jailhouse informants to the recent misidentification of a dead body.
Posted inInvestigative, Safety, Security & Justice, Santa Ana
Santa Ana Police to Start Wearing Body Cameras This Summer
Officials still are drafting rules for when the cameras must be turned on, what the repercussions are for not using the cameras and whether any videos will be made public. The City Council also is considering increased oversight of the police department, including possibly creating a civilian review panel.
Posted inAnaheim, Safety, Security & Justice
Activists Call for Stronger Anaheim Civilian Police Review Board
Activists want to see Anaheim’s Public Safety Board turned into a full-fledged commission, while the police association says it should stay as is.
Posted inGovernment, Housing & Homelessness, Top Stories
Homeless Advocate Shuts Down OC Supervisors’ Meeting Over Children in Riverbed
Mohammed Aly refused to stop speaking when his three minutes were up. A sheriff’s deputy threatened to arrest a Voice of OC reporter who was filming Aly and sheriff’s officers when everyone was ordered to leave the board room.
Posted inGovernment, Top Stories
Free-Speech Battle Heats Up Over Public Comments at OC Supervisors’ Meetings
County Counsel Leon Page is defending a ban on public commenters addressing supervisors by name, among other the ACLU claims is illegal. In response, ACLU officials say county supervisors will be set straight by the courts if they don’t change their policies.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Top Stories
ACLU Threatens to Sue OC Supervisors Over Alleged Free Speech Violations
In recent months, Orange County supervisors put tighter and tighter restrictions on speakers who try to address them at public board meetings. The ACLU’s letter is prompting county officials to consider possible policy changes.
