Police Chief Michael O'Brien sent a letter Monday to the AIDS Center for Infectious Diseases of the California Department of Public Health where he stated that although he appreciated the motives of the N-V-H-R-C he was concerned how their current proposal would allow the distribution of syringes adjacent to Chapman Elementary School and Community Park.

According to a Chico Police Department press release, Chief O'Brien also stated his concern that the proposal was NOT a syringe exchange, but a distribution program. He says there is no requirement in the proposal for anyone to exchange used syringes for clean ones.