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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2020.09.02 @4001 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO MAYOR’S COMMISSION ON RACIAL AND SOCIAL EQUITY Meeting held at: Teleconference meeting Wednesday, September 2, 2020 4:00 p.m. Call to Order Meeting called to order at 4:03 p.m. by Chair Nicolas Roll Call COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Edith Arias, Jeff Azzopardi, Gladys Balmas (4:18 pm), Norm Faria, Mike Futrell, Cheska Ibasan (4:26 pm), Vanessa McGovern, Hermes Monzon, Patricia Murray (4:18pm), Mark Nagales, Flor Nicolas, Kayla Powers, Liliana Rivera, Bobby Vaughn ALTERNATE PRESENT: Andrea Fernandez ABSENT: None Welcome/Introductions Chair Flor Nicolas welcomed the Commissioners to the meeting. Chair Nicolas noted the meeting time will be extended to accommodate public comments. Consent Calendar 1. Approval of the meeting minutes of August 19, 2020. Moved by Mark Nagales, seconded by Mike Futrell to approve the minutes of the August 19, 2020 meeting as submitted. Motion passed 11 in favor, 0 opposed. *the following changes were requested by Commissioner Gladys Balmas after minutes were approved:  Srija is Deputy Director of San Mateo Health.  The San Mateo Health System does not manage the Health Plan of San Mateo. Health Partners with HPSM Note that Commissioners Balmas, Ibasan, and Murray arrived after vote. New Business 2. Key Takeaways from Last Commission Meeting and Overview of Today’s Aims Chair Nicolas reviewed the goals for this meeting. Chair Nicolas noted the Council adopted a Resolution stating the City’s commitment to racial and social equity. Kym Dorman provided an update on progress since the last m eeting on the two items recommended by the Commission for investigation during Phase 1. 2 3. Review Local Context of Inequities Related to Racial Inequities, Racism, Community Safety and Policing a. Core Functions of Police Department and Key Data Kym Dorman provided an overview of data relating to racial inequities in criminal justice. She provided the demographics of the police department and the city, reviewed the police departments hiring and training practices. She reviewed officer investigations, traffic stops and arrest data. Kym Dorman indicated that the police department complies with all 8 Can’t Wait policies (with exceptions in rare instances). She reviewed the police department’s community policing programs. b. Presentation of Best and Promising Practices for Police Departments Related to Use of Force, Officer Training, and Interactions with Community Members Paige Kruza provided a summary of best and promising practices to reduce racial disproportionalities/inequities and address structural/institutional racism, increase transparency and accountability, address bias, build community trust, and positive relationships, and expand community-based safety approaches. Paige also explained that “procedural justice” focuses on the elements necessary for people to feel like they are treated fairly (being treated respectfully, having their side of the story heard, understanding that an authority figure has good motivations/intentions, and having the reason or process for a decision clearly explained.) c. Guest Speaker: Change SSF Cesar Rodriguez, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Studies at San Francisco State University, spoke on behalf of Change SSF. He provided comments on fundamental strategy to change budget priorities to increase investment into community-based strategies that maximize well-being. Include delinking policing from community programs, specifically mental health, drug abuse and homeless. He referenced the APHA policy statement to reduce contact between police and public. He reviewed several areas to focus on with alternative approaches as follows:  Alternatives to treat people with mental illness include developing mental health center that are voluntary and utilize teams of professional civilians trained to respond to people in a mental health crisis.  Alternatives to homelessness and housing including team of trained civilians to respond to homeless persons, drop-in centers and emergency shelters with optional support, housing first strategies, income supplements to keep people housed and homeless prevention.  Alternatives to gang taskforce including early childhood education, community centers, community-based transformative justice to resolve conflicts and issues, Peacebuilders/Cure violence and employment opportunities with living wage.  Alternatives to police in schools. He discussed police accountability. d. Presentation on Procedural Justice in Policing (discussed above) e. Commissioner Questions and Answers  Andrea Fernandez asked if there is data on police complaints deemed wrongdoings. What is the misconception that defunding the police leads to less 3 safer communities? Cesar Rodriguez discussed the formation of the thin blue line out of the Los Angeles Police Department and discussed crimes that are reported, investigated and cleared. He noted that the majority of law enforcement calls is non-criminal calls and traffic stops.  Liliana Rivera asked about data of complaints and process to submit a police brutality complaint. She referenced a lawsuit claiming retaliation. Police Chief Jeff Azzopardi noted that complaints can be submitted by phone, in person or email. He stated that the police department has no issue dealing with internal issues and actions.  Kayla Powers asked about complaints data and if its fully representative of actual experience, fear of retaliation. Any examples of alternatives to submit complaints to police department, like an independent body. 4. Review and Discuss Example Approaches Paige Kruza reviewed example approaches to make meaningful change to reducing racial inequities in community safety and policing.  Andrea Fernandez asked for respect for one another.  Mike Futrell thanked Cesar Rodriguez for the presentation and noted there is a lot of common ground with approaches.  Cheska Ibasan supported a community safety advisory board.  Edith Arias supported programs reviewed by Cesar Rodriguez.  Hermes Monzon noted past negative experience with police department. He participated in the Hispanic police academy which changed his outlook on the department to view them with respect. He noted that if youth have negative interactions with the police, it can affect them in the future. Would like approaches and programs to engage youth and the community for better connection with police department.  Bobby Vaughn asked about community police model (collaborating with the community) and best practice to reduce contact between police and public. He also asked about hiring practices for balance of ethnicity. He supports approach 5 if it’s a citizen board that can receive complaints.  Pat Murray agreed with implicit bias training for everyone and would appreciate the opportunity for the community to be better connected with the police would be beneficial.  Vanessa McGovern agreed with approach 3, strengthen community cohesion and approach 5 community safety board should have teeth to make change.  Gladys Balmas agreed with approach 3 to strengthen community, need to rebuild trust and approach 4 to utilize data to make recommendations to approach 5, an advisory board.  Liliana Rivera suggested approach 1 without police, including mental health separate from police department, and prioritize advisory board with firing power. Do not see a need for approach 6. Need a misconduct process that is separate, with a citizen panel.  Kayla Powers agreed with approach 5, advisory board, and approach 2 to reduce escalation for minor offenses.  Mark Nagales noted need to trust and partnership with the community. Would also like to have data inform approaches and solutions.  Flor Nicolas suggested starting with homeowners associations to get to know 4 each other and be engaged. Also noted CERT volunteers get to know each other and encouraged more volunteer opportunities, agreed with approach 3. Also supports approach 5.  Mike Futrell noted they are working with the County to start a pilot program with mental health professionals working with the police department. When responding to 911 call, will need to be assisted with an officer. During non- emergency calls, could work with individuals independently including homeless persons.  Bobby Vaughn noted that data is important and would like to see in context with similar jurisdictions. Would like links from Cesar Rodriguez presentation. Would like to hear public comment before able to prioritize approaches.  Jeff Azzopardi would like to hear more on best approaches to connect with the community and establish relationships. 5. Identification of 1-2 approaches for Further Investigation & Discussion in Phase I  Liliana Rivera emphasized approach 1, including alternatives to gang task force and school involvement.  Pat Murray stated the School District is currently evaluating policing in schools.  Norm Faria asked what other cities are using community safety advisory board and what is the effectiveness of these boards.  Gladys Balmas would like additional data and advocated approach 4.  Mark Nagales also supported approach 4 to inform approaches. Commissioners voted to advance approach #1 – 11 Commissioners voted in favor Commissioners voted to advance approach #3 – 6 Commissioners voted in favor Commissioners voted to advance approach #4 – 5 Commissioners voted in favor Commissioners voted to advance approach #5 – 9 Commissioners voted in favor Public Comments  Victoria, strongly agreed with data being accessible to the community and understand how the data is gathered. She expressed respect for police but noted some issues can be improved. She has seen benefits from implicit bias training.  Eddy Holman expressed concern with lack of accountability with police and would like to see civilian oversight board. He lacks trust in Council to hold police accountable.  Doug, lifelong SSF resident and has seen a lot of change in the city. Strong support for police department. Participated in citizen police academy. Do not believe there is systemic racism.  Patricia, educational training in law enforcement psychology, consider cultural competency training. Should have annual officer psychological evaluation for fitness to serve.  GH to create long lasting change, need to forgive each other. She has seen positive interactions with police department and need to react based on data and not bias.  Gustavo Lopez, instructor at San Francisco State University in the Public Health department. The current state of policing is killing black people and people of color. We have the largest social movement right now and need to address racism and power.  Andrea Sims noted other data sources and rely more on teachers and counselors.  Luis De Paz Fernandez need to focus on how we can utilize other experts in the field and 5 other services to assist the community, especially mental health.  Russell Lee need to listen to people’s experiences.  Tasso Mav encourage the Commission to remain objective and focus on goals. Need to compare data to similar jurisdictions.  Marcela appreciated data provided by Cesar Rodriguez and looking for others to provide services. Need to hold police accountable. Concern with police in schools. Racism is real.  Kanani Cortez implicit bias training is useful, but not enough data to show change in attitude. Advocate for citizen oversight board with firing powers and want to see police accountability.  Olga Perez circumstances in old town that do not provide opportunities for everyone. Commissioner comments  Liliana Rivera talked about a child was killed by the Police and it needs to be discussed.  Chair Nicolas agreed the death of a child is a tragedy and encourage everyone to read the investigation report. They can request the report via email from [email protected]. Public Comment resumed  Patricia suggested a police wellness program.  Cesar Rodriguez expressed concern with reactions to a woman of color speaking up.  Alan stated that data is not just numbers and need to listen to community members.  Victoria need to be open to hearing experiences and foster good communication.  Sam Avila need to listen to stories and past actions. Commissioner comments  Galdys Balmas, noted that there is a lot of pain in community members’ comments. Cannot change the past and need to work on solutions moving forward to ensure past actions are not repeated.  Pat Murray joined Commission to see change and want to be part of the change. Concern with name calling, want to be able to move forward. Appreciated Cesar Rodriguez presentation.  Mike Futrell, Commissioners need to be objective and consider decisions for the entire community.  Flor Nicolas, we are here to prevent tragedies from happening again. Request everyone have an open mind. Thanked Cesar Rodriguez.  Andrea Fernandez need to listen to different perspectives and experiences. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m.