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Police chief responds to data sharing controversy

Police chief responds to data sharing controversy

Calls from Council to discontinue use of license plate reading cameras
The City Council, with guidance from the City Attorney, will decide the fate of Chico Police Department’s automated license plate reader (ALPR) data sharing program, Chief Billy Aldridge said in a press release today. “Throughout this evaluation process, access will remain restricted until further guidance is given by legal counsel and leadership of the city,” Aldridge said in a press …

No data centers coming yet, commission says

The Butte County Water Commission says no data center has yet been proposed in unincorporated areas, but its Aug. 5 meeting saw considerable public outcry over a data center information item.

The commission, an advisory board to the Board of Supervisors, heard a presentation by Paula Daneluk, director of Butte County’s Development Services, to better understand zoning and permitting related to data centers.

The county’s jurisdiction over data centers extends only to unincorporated areas. 

The towns of Chico, Oroville and Paradise haven’t received any inquiries for data centers, either, according to the results produced by a ChicoSol public records request. 

Still, many people came to the meeting, standing in opposition to the development of the centers.

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Community Calendar

August 18, 6:00pm Chico City Council
Location: 421 Main St, Chico, CA 95928, USA
August 25, 9:00am Butte County Board of Supervisors
Location: 25 County Center Dr suite 205, Oroville, CA 95965, USA
September 1, 6:00pm Chico City Council
Location: 421 Main St, Chico, CA 95928, USA
September 15, 6:00pm Chico City Council
Location: 421 Main St, Chico, CA 95928, USA
September 22, 9:00am Butte County Board of Supervisors
Location: 25 County Center Dr suite 205, Oroville, CA 95965, USA

Special Projects

Chico PD granted ICE, Border Patrol, access to its ALPR data

Chico PD granted ICE, Border Patrol, access to its ALPR data

The Chico Police Department says it has shut off license plate reader data sharing that, until July 8, appears to …
Vigil for those recently killed by ICE

Vigil for those recently killed by ICE

This story was updated at 7 a.m. July 15, 2026. About 60 people lined the edge of Children’s Park or …

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Reader Comments

Aug 06
“Concerned community for Justice plans to be in attendance at the August 18 City Council Meeting expressing dismay over the violations of California state laws SB 34 and SB 54 by Chico…”
Aug 06
“How about the cooking fires set up by the City? The two barbecues at the City Alt-Site camp are without a canopy. So when it rains they are useless. This…”
Aug 05
“I agree with all the comments made so far. This is inexcusable. I hope the present city council is willing to rise to the occasion and fire Aldridge, and not wait to…”
Aug 05
“Many readers will know that Chico is just one of a number of cities who have been inappropriately sharing ALPR and other data with outside agencies in violation of CA law and…”

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