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Open Vallejo

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Laurence Du Sault

Laurence Du Sault is a former senior writer and editor at Open Vallejo.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks at a lectern featuring the seal of his office. The flags of California and the United States of America hang on poles behind him.
Posted inPublic Safety

Civil rights investigation ‘on the table’ in Vallejo, Bonta says

by Geoffrey King and Laurence Du Sault May 11, 2023October 27, 2023
Then-Councilmember Hakeem Brown, who is a Black man in his mid-40s, listens to a speaker out of frame from the dais of the Vallejo City Council chambers. Brown, who is in sharp focus, is wearing glasses and a hoodie, and sports a closely-cropped beard. His colleagues, who are out of focus, are seen behind him. A "City of Vallejo" sign is partially visible on the wall.
Posted inEthics

Hakeem Brown not Vallejo NAACP president, NAACP leader alleges

by Laurence Du Sault March 10, 2023October 27, 2023
A middle-aged Black man wearing a suit sits to the right of a blonde woman who appears to be in her sixties. She is wearing glasses, a black top and a brown sweater. Both individuals are seated at a wooden city council dais. An American flag hangs behind them.
Posted inEthics

Vallejo officials’ handling of evidence destruction probe marked by confusion, concern

by Laurence Du Sault and Geoffrey King February 22, 2023April 29, 2025
A young woman wearing a red top, red shoes and white and red pants holds a bright pink handwritten sign that reads, "Release the tapes!! Killer Cop" She stands in front of a large, off-white sedan from the 1980s or early 1990s. The background is dark and it appears to have been raining.
Posted inEthics

Senior officials ordered destruction of Vallejo police shooting evidence

by Laurence Du Sault and Geoffrey King February 5, 2023January 27, 2025
Members of Willie McCoy's family hug in front of Vallejo City Hall during a protest on Feb. 28, 2019, three weeks after Vallejo police killed the 20-year-old.
Posted inPublic Safety

Vallejo police reforms stall despite scrutiny over killings

by Laurence Du Sault November 8, 2022October 27, 2023
Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams is seen at his swearing-in ceremony on Nov. 12, 2019, at Vallejo City Hall.
Posted inPublic Safety

Vallejo police chief resigns, former Sacramento chief to consult

by Laurence Du Sault and Geoffrey King November 4, 2022October 27, 2023
Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams speaks with Annice Evans, whose son Angel Ramos was killed by a Vallejo police officer on January 23, 2017, at a Vallejo City Council meeting on March 8, 2022. Ramos did not have a weapon.
Posted inPublic Safety

Shake-up looms as Vallejo police chief takes time off

by Laurence Du Sault and Geoffrey King October 27, 2022October 31, 2023
Five Vallejo police officers pose indoors with another man in a black and white group photograph taken in the 1970s or early 1980s. Front row, left to right: John Lynch, Peter Zander, Ronald Guerra. Back row: unknown, Herbert Shrum, Burky Worel, Louis Baldino.
Posted inPublic Safety

Vallejo patrol staffing drops below 1975 levels

by Laurence Du Sault and Geoffrey King September 21, 2022October 27, 2023
Then-San Jose Police Department Capt. Jason Ta, left, poses in the Vallejo City Council chambers for a photograph with Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams minutes after Williams was sworn in as Vallejo's police chief on Nov. 12, 2019. In 2021, Williams recruited Ta to serve as his deputy chief of police.
Posted inEthics

Deputy police chief arrived impaired to Vallejo homicide, memo alleges

by Laurence Du Sault July 20, 2022January 28, 2025
A flashlight leaves a streak of light through a crime scene at night.
Posted inCity of Impunity

Vallejo tolerated officers’ mistakes. Then they killed again.

by Laurence Du Sault July 7, 2022January 28, 2025

Posts pagination

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Editor's Picks

The secret death of Darryl Dean Mefferd

The secret death of Darryl Dean Mefferd

Senior officials ordered destruction of Vallejo police shooting evidence

Senior officials ordered destruction of Vallejo police shooting evidence

Vallejo police bend badges to mark fatal shootings

Vallejo police bend badges to mark fatal shootings

Suspects in killings of Vallejo witness, Vermont border patrol agent connected by marriage license, extreme ideology

Suspects in killings of Vallejo witness, Vermont border patrol agent connected by marriage license, extreme ideology

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