OC supervisor candidates weigh chemical oversight, back surveillance safeguards

Orange County supervisor candidates proposed reviewing or strengthening oversight of hazardous chemicals near homes while supporting continued police use of surveillance technology with safeguards, according to questionnaire responses published Thursday by Voice of OC.

The responses address safety and privacy concerns following chemical incidents that forced evacuations in Garden Grove and La Habra, as well as concerns about police misuse of surveillance systems. The proposals show how candidates would approach public disclosure, inspections and access to law-enforcement data.

Voice of OC reported that 50,000 people had to evacuate when a chemical tank in Garden Grove nearly exploded. A later incident at a La Habra facility near neighborhoods released an orange and yellow cloud, prompting a smaller evacuation. Irvine is instituting new chemical disclosure requirements, according to the publication.

Shaw, a Fourth District supervisor candidate, favored reviewing inspection, notification and emergency-response requirements. Shaw said the county should address gaps without duplicating state and federal rules. Traut, also a Fourth District candidate, proposed stronger inspections based on risk, checks of safety systems, emergency planning and proactive public disclosure.

Among Fifth District candidates, Dixon supported stronger disclosure requirements and more frequent inspections where warranted, according to Voice of OC. Foley answered yes when asked whether additional oversight or disclosure requirements were needed.

All four respondents supported continuing to use law-enforcement surveillance technology with safeguards. Their responses addressed restrictions on access, data retention and audits in connection with shared camera and license-plate-reader systems, according to Voice of OC.

Traut opposed using license-plate-reader information for immigration enforcement. Dixon cited a stalking case involving a former Costa Mesa police officer as an example of technology abuse. Foley said the county does not contract with Flock and that the sheriff’s department already requires authorized access, documented searches and audits.

The questionnaire responses paired support for safety and policing tools with calls to review how facilities disclose risks and how officers access surveillance data, according to Voice of OC.