HIT — Few organizations have been under as big of a microscope in recent years as police departments. The death of George Floyd four years ago led to a national tipping point of what would and would not be acceptable from law enforcement — with the anger often being directed at police officers (and jurisdictions) that had nothing to do with such an episode.
That’s why transparency is so important, and that’s why we’re giving a big thumbs-up today to the Chico Police Department.
On Thursday — as required by Assembly Bill 481 — Police Chief Billy Aldridge hosted a public session on the department’s use of military-grade equipment. The meeting, in Chico City Council Chambers, drew about two dozen people, along with members of the Police Community Advisory Board.
What made this get-together different was, Aldridge held it before the annual report was reviewed or approved by the Chico City Council. And he did that following a request from a citizen who wondered what good the public meeting could do if the council had already approved the report.
It’s good that citizens are concerned about what equipment our police have and how (and when) it could be considered for use. Aldridge’s explanation of much of the equipment actually being used for de-escalation makes sense to us.
In any case, we appreciate the transparency, and the extra step of receiving the public’s input before the council discusses the report.
MISS — We were shocked and saddened by news that a Northwest Lineman College student died Monday after the utility pole he was climbing collapsed at the Oroville campus.
The Victorville Daily Press reported that the student was Carlos Mendoza, 19, of Adelanto. He graduated from Victor Valley High School last year and was just one week away from completing his lineman training program.
The college has sent thousands of highly qualified linemen into an invaluable area of work since its opening more than 30 years ago, with the Oroville location opening in 2006. Student safety and training, and the condition of the climbing poles, have always been priorities, leaving school officials — and us — at a loss as to how this tragedy could have happened.
Mike Daniels, president of Northwest Lineman College, said in a released statement “We’re working closely with local law enforcement as they continue to investigate the incident.”
We’re looking forward to learning those findings. In the meantime, our hearts go out to Mendoza’s family and loved ones, as well as all students and staff at the college.
HIT — A new residency program that’ll lead to more medical care for Chico?
Sign us up!
Our doctor-challenged town got a huge boost of good news Thursday when Healthy Rural California, a nonprofit born of the Butte-Glenn Medical Society, announced the inaugural class for a residency program for psychiatrists in training who will come to Chico next year — when a second residency program launches for family medicine.
“It’s important to do something to stabilize our medical community,” said Dr. Sean Maiorano, chief medical officer at Enloe Health. “We’re at a really unique opportunity (point) to grow our own and provide for our community and surrounding communities.”
HRC is exploring another residency, for internal medicine physicians, that could follow.
Here’s the truly beautiful part: The numbers show 50% of residents stay in the place where they train. If that holds true, we’ll get more psychiatrists and primary care doctors beyond the window of their residency — two per year in each, statistically speaking.
It’s all great news. Here’s to good health!
MISS — There was a scoop hidden a few inches into our Q&A with Chico Mayor Andrew Coolidge on Sunday, and we were sorry to see it.
Andrew Coolidge, who is in the final year as his second term as Chico mayor — while in his second stint on the council — told Evan Tuchinsky he won’t be seeking re-election this fall, although he did say he’d consider seeking office again in the future.
We’ll be sorry to see him go. While we didn’t agree with every decision he made — a distinction he shares with every other councilor in our city’s history — we were appreciative of the even-handed approach he brought to running the meetings and his ability to consider all sides of an issue.
He’s generally lined up with the conservative majority on council votes, but has shown he’s not afraid to break ranks depending on the issue.
We like those traits in any councilor. Here’s hoping he keeps the door open for a return come 2026.
Hits and misses are compiled by the editorial board.
