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Resident alleges censorship, police misuse and calls for audits at Pasadena council public comment
Summary
During public comment at the Jan. 7 Pasadena City Council meeting, multiple residents raised concerns about alleged censorship of council videos and misuse of police resources. A commenter called for audits, unedited livestreams and accountability; no formal staff response or council action was recorded.
Several Pasadena residents used the Jan. 7 public comment period to raise concerns about city transparency, alleged censorship of council videos and what one speaker described as misuse of police resources.
Taz Smith, a frequent commenter, told the council he had recorded videos that he said show "censorship" of council YouTube uploads and alleged city police officers were using patrol vehicles and taxpayer-funded time for personal activities. "It's crazy how much censorship y'all have had happen, not publicly voted on, used tax payer funds to make happen," Smith said. He also said he had footage of officers "going to do personal training" in a patrol vehicle and of vehicles posted outside a local taqueria.
Smith urged the council to increase oversight: "I think that there needs to be a complete audit and oversight when it comes to what exactly is being spent, what is being approved... that y'all should definitely be transparent about all of it," he said. He also called for unedited livestreams of council votes.
Other speakers during public comment included faith-based speakers who delivered prayers and scriptural readings; their remarks were devotional in nature and did not request council action. The meeting record shows no staff presentation, no executive session or immediate staff assignment in response to the policing or transparency claims.
Why it matters: allegations about law-enforcement conduct and government transparency are matters citizens may bring to the council for investigation or follow-up. At the Jan. 7 meeting the council did not direct staff to open an inquiry on the record, and no motion or referral related to the comments was recorded.
