California police clap back at John Oliver as comedian clutches pearls over department policy

Comedian John Oliver took a swing at a Southern California police department on HBO — and the cops wasted little time responding.The Rialto Police Department blasted the “Last Week Tonight” host after he criticized the agency’s use of privately owned security cameras, accusing him of painting a misleading picture of how the technology is actually used.The department said Oliver’s segment “did not accurately reflect how the Rialto Police Department utilizes this technology or the safeguards that govern its use.”Oliver devoted part of Sunday’s show to Fusus, a platform that allows law enforcement to access participating private security cameras during investigations and emergencies.During the segment, Oliver claimed Rialto effectively pressures new businesses into giving police access to their cameras in exchange for permits, joking that business owners have to decide whether opening a nail salon is “worth being a narc on passers-by.”Police say that’s flat-out wrong.Capt.Lamont Quarker, a department spokesman, said no business has ever been denied permission to open because it chose not to participate in the program.Instead, Quarker said officers walk business owners through how the technology works, explain what police can and cannot access, and outline the privacy protections in place before owners decide whether they want to opt in.

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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story “Our experience has been that once business owners better understand the program, many choose to participate because they recognize the public safety benefits,” Quarker said, adding the city is considering changing its policy so businesses would only be required to discuss the program with police, while participation would remain voluntary.Quarker defended Fu...