Community Meetings

FOCUS AREA: Community engagement, crisis communication, and public safety awareness

The Challenge

In early 2023, state hospital officials and Liberty Healthcare proposed placing Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) Michael Cheek in a residential home at 1550 Gate Lane, Paradise, California. The proposed placement sparked immediate outrage due to Cheek’s criminal history and the town’s recent trauma from the 2018 Camp Fire.

Local officials and residents demanded accurate information, transparency, and a structured channel to voice concerns. The community needed effective coordination, clear messaging, and opportunities for meaningful participation—all within a matter of days.

Community Meeting Town of Paradise

Our Solution

As the Town of Paradise’s communication partner, Blue Flamingo Marketing partnered with the Town employees and the Butte County District Attorney’s Office to rapidly mobilize a coordinated communication and engagement plan for a February 16, 2023, town hall.

We handled all aspects of community outreach, digital engagement, and event logistics to ensure residents were informed and empowered to share their perspectives constructively.

Key Tactics Included

  • Press & Media Coordination: Drafted and distributed press releases announcing the town hall and outlining community concerns.
  • Community Survey & Data Collection: Created an online form for residents to submit comments; received more than 2,000 responses.
  • Print & Digital Collateral: Designed flyers featuring a QR code linking to the survey, distributed at the Town Hall and online.
  • Partnership Activation: Worked closely with the Town of Paradise and the DA’s Office to align messaging, coordinate logistics, and ensure factual accuracy.
  • Event Facilitation: Managed attendee flow, directed guests, operated the livestream via the Paradise Police Department’s YouTube channel, and coordinated question submissions during the meeting.
  • Real-Time Feedback Loop: Captured and relayed community insights directly to law enforcement and officials to inform public updates.

The Results

  • Over 2,000 online comments submitted and reviewed.
  • A standing-room-only town hall, with in-person and virtual attendance exceeding expectations.
  • Constructive engagement praised by both Police Chief Reinbold and DA Ramsey.
  • Within a week of the event, Liberty Healthcare confirmed the Gate Lane property was withdrawn from consideration, reflecting the effectiveness of coordinated community response.
  • Established Blue Flamingo as a trusted crisis-communication partner capable of rapid mobilization under pressure.