Convicts to clean park

The Chico City Council moved forward on Tuesday evening (Oct. 15) with a plan to use citizens in the Alternative Custody Supervision program to do cleanup work in Lower Bidwell Park to allow Caper Acres, the popular children’s park, to remain open during the city’s financial crisis.

As explained by Councilman Randall Stone (pictured), the program calls for low-level criminal offenders in the program (so-called non-violent, non-sexual, non-serious offenders serving their time outside of jail as part of the state’s Assembly Bill 109 realignment) to work there under the supervision of the Butte County Sheriff’s Office.

The council voted 6-0—with Councilwoman Ann Schwab recused because she lives near Lower Park—to have staff draft an agreement with ACS for the work, which will be conducted at no charge to the city. Currently, local business ServPro has been volunteering cleanup services at the park to help keep Caper Acres open. However, the company’s commitment ends on Nov. 1.