Katy Miessner Archives - Open Vallejo

A woman stands outside near a wooden post, wearing a striped scarf and green jacket. The background shows a garden with soft, natural lighting.

Vallejo’s next mayor pledges forensic audit and ‘meaningful’ reforms

by Anna Bauman November 19, 2024November 19, 2024

Group of three people engaged in an animated discussion outdoors during an event. The person in the center gestures emphatically towards the camera. They are surrounded by other attendees in a casual, sunlit setting.

Former Vallejo councilmember assaults mayoral candidate’s spouse at community event, video shows

by Anna Bauman August 7, 2024August 9, 2024

Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams is sworn into office under the gaze of a city surveillance camera on Nov. 12, 2019. A BuzzFeed News investigation found that Vallejo was one of more than 1,800 public entities to use a facial recognition technology so powerful, it is the subject of numerous lawsuits and several government probes. A Vallejo police spokesperson said the department’s command staff were unaware of its use prior to being contacted for comment by Open Vallejo.

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Vallejo police secretly tested ‘dystopian’ facial recognition tool

by Brian Howey April 13, 2021April 29, 2025