CERES, Calif. (KMAX/KOVR) – The before-and-after was meant to show progress, but in a California city, the reality looks a lot like before.
Ceres Mayor Javier Lopez initially took to social media to post the cleanup effort at a dump site behind a vacant building.
“They pulled out 550 pounds of debris,” Lopez said.
A mayor in California is facing backlash after a post showing a before-and-after of cleanup at a trash-filled site.
The photo sparked backlash after residents pointed out inconsistencies.
Lopez said code enforcement did clean up the area, but he admitted he enhanced the photo using artificial intelligence.
“I lightened up the picture, and when you look at it, looks like I came over here and I power washed the concrete,” Lopez said.
Lopez said he simply altered the ground and closed the doors.
A mayor in California is facing backlash after a post showing a before-and-after of cleanup at a trash-filled site.
“I wanted to come see it for myself since this is my district,” Councilwoman Cerina Otero said.
Otero disagreed with the progress. She said the AI-altered photo also removes a long-standing notice on the door.
But both Otero and Lopez said activity with people experiencing homelessness contributed to trash coming back.
“This isn’t exactly cleaned up like we thought it was, and for me, transparency is key,” Otero said.
Lopez said he was transparent by leaving the AI label on the post.
“I’m being very consistent and I’m being straightforward about anything that I’m using to compose any post,” Lopez said.
But he admitted, next time he will do it differently.
“We have to take accountability next time. I’ll make sure that I come down here with the power washer to clean the concrete,” Lopez said.
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