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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.17.25 - Equity and Public Safety Commission Meeting MinutesCity of South San Francisco Minutes of the Commission on Equity and Public Safety Monday, March 17, 2025 City Hall: City Manager Conference Room 6:00 p.m. Committee Members: Present: PaulaClaudine Hobson-Coard, Carol Sanders, Ruby Harrison, Arnel Junio, Steven Yee, Bianca Bedigian, Amanda Rodriguez, Krystle Cansino (arrived at 6:02 p.m.) Staff Members: Present: Devin Stenhouse, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer Scott Campbell, Chief of Police Adam Plank, Police Captain CALL TO ORDER The Meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Chair Hobson-Coard introduces new Commission member Amanda Rodriguez. Each Commissioner introduces themselves. AGENDA REVIEW There are no changes to the agenda. ITEMS FROM STAFF MEMBERS 1. Presentation on City of South San Francisco Police Department’s Annual Military Equipment Report Captain Plank gives a brief overview of Assembly Bill 481. He goes over the requirements of the bill. He describes all the equipment categories that the Police Department has. He also lists equipment that North Central Regional SWAT is in possession of. He provides a few examples of when the equipment was used in past incidents. Commissioner Cansino thanks Police for their work and for going into dangerous situations. She asks if the equipment has helped improve safety for officers. Captain Plank clarifies that much of the equipment existed prior to the bill; the bill specifically affects the reporting of equipment. Chief Campbell adds that new equipment and technology, like drones, does offer more safety to officers. Vice Chair Sanders asks if there is equipment that the Police Department would like to have that they currently do not have. Captain Plank emphasizes that they research and evaluate equipment before purchasing; all equipment that they own are utilized. Chief Campbell says the safety of the officers is a top priority. His goal is to make sure all officers have the equipment they need to stay safe. Commissioner Yee asks if Captain Plank was surprised by the distribution map of SWAT equipment used throughout the City. Captain Plank noticed there was relatively even distribution of the equipment which is consistent with 2023. He also had not expectations because they do not have “say” on when and where to use the equipment. Commissioner Yee also asked if there aas information on demographics of the people involved. Cap. Plank said, he does not collect that information. There may be correlation with incidents occurring along Interstate 280 and Highway 101. Commissioner Harrison asked about community feedback. Captain Plank explains that they had some community meetings in the past, and there were no negative feedback or concerns relating to the program. Chair Hobson-Coard asks where the drones are housed and how long it takes to get them where they need to go. Captain Plank and Chief Campbell explain that the drones are in the vehicles with officers so that there is less downtime for deployment. Commissioner Bedigian expresses gratitude for South San Francisco Police. She asks about the decision-making process when it comes to deploying the equipment. Captain Plank explains that it depends on the situation. Commissioner Rodriguez asks if the equipment would ever be used proactively, such as at an event where large crowds are expected. Chief Campbell confirms that it is already a part of their policy when planning for large events. Commissioner Yee what percentage of the time is military equipment used proactively versus alternative. Captain Plank provides example scenarios where a drone would be used proactively. Captain Plank describes how inventory for certain equipment has been increased to reduce delay in deployment. He adds that new or upgraded equipment is tested for effectiveness prior to purchasing. There have been times where they have passed on buying new equipment. Commissioner Yee wonders how the payoff is gauged and about the criteria used to determine if the purchase is worth it. Chief Campbell says their goal is to have a successful conclusion to all incidents. He gives an example of a successful use of equipment during a situation that could have turned out very differently if they didn’t have the equipment. The officers show the group some samples of the equipment. Commissioner Cansino requests that the Commissioners get invited to future community engagement events. Captain Plank says they are exploring different ways to advertise and promote community engagement events. Commissioner Junio asks about who is allowed to pilot the drones. Chief Campbell shares that different personnel have been given access. Captain Plank adds that it takes skill to operate one successfully. Captain Plank compares the usage of drone footage to how body camera footage is used. Commissioner Bedigian asks if ongoing training is required to operate the equipment. Chief Campbell says training is conducted every year for the use of all equipment. Commissioner Cansino asks if the Behavioral Health Clinician wears a vest. Chief Campbell says yes. Captain Plank adds that the Clinician’s vest is a different color from what the officers wear, and it is clearly marked “Clinician.” He shares that the vest is only worn as needed if approaching an active scene. The group thanks the Chief and Captain as they leave the meeting at 7:09 p.m. 2. Announcements Officer Stenhouse shares upcoming events of interest: • District 2 Town Hall on March 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Alice Bulos Community Center • Special Council meeting on April 1, focusing on RV encampment, at 6:30 p.m. at the Council Chambers • April 5 Annual Easter Bunny Photo Hop at 8 a.m. at Orange Memorial Park • April 11 Youth Art Show at the Library | Parks and Recreation Center at 4 p.m. • Anti-Displacement Community Advisory Committee’s next meeting on April 7 at 5 p.m. • International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 29 at 1 p.m. at the Library | Parks and Recreation Center Community Room PUBLIC COMMENT No public comments were made. MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION 1. Approval of Minutes from February 24, 2025. Commissioner Harrison motions, and Commissioner Bedigian seconds. The Commission votes to approve the minutes 8-0. 2. Follow-up discussion to the Flash Vote presentation from the February 24, 2025 commission meeting [1:16:39] Officer Stenhouse suggests that if Commissioners are interested, they can form an ad- hoc committee to discuss and make decisions regarding Flash Vote surveys. Commissioner Cansino asks for clarification on what is expected of the Commissioners regarding the surveys. Officer Stenhouse explains that nothing is required of the Commission; this is just an option/opportunity, for the Commission to gather information from the public. Commissioner Bedigian wonders about the demographic of survey takers. She is concerned that the survey participants are a small part of the community, and therefore the results received are not representative of the whole community. Commissioner Cansino asks about the upcoming steps of the Master Plan and wonders if the surveys can help with that. Commissioner Harrison agrees that it would be helpful to see previous surveys and results. Officer Stenhouse shares that the Age-Friendly survey results are expected in the fall. He also provides different ideas for gathering public feedback. Officer Stenhouse says the Commission can at least start with one survey. Officer Stenhouse points out that one of the benefits of Flash Vote is being able to work with a representative who has expertise in producing surveys. Commissioner Cansino says she is interested in being in an ad-hoc committee. Commissioner Rodriguez asks what information is already known. Officer Stenhouse explains that the Commission is relatively new, and Commissioners want more information. Commissioner Junio reminds the group that there were subcommittees formed previously to focus on two of the Commission’s goals. He believes that the Commission is hoping to take actionable steps and that tasks need to be determined and assigned. Officer Stenhouse recommends looking at the Age-Friendly Action Plan for more information on senior services and needs. Commissioner Bedigian asks if any surveys have been done relating to the Child Care Master Plan. Officer Stenhouse agrees it is fair to ask where we are with the Child Care Master Plan. Chair Hobson-Coard proposes to agendize this topic for discussion at the next meeting. Officer Stenhouse goes over the various child care and after school programs offered by the City. He provides some ideas on possible presentations or updates for future meetings. Commissioner Cansino feels an ad-hoc committee would be beneficial to keep things moving. Commissioner Bedigian expresses that she would like to hear an update on the Child Care Master Plan. Commissioner Cansino asks who would be interested in joining an ad-hoc committee. Commissioners Harrison and Yee express interest. Commissioner Cansino motions to form an ad- hoc committee to meet and discuss Flash Vote surveys. Commissioner Harrison seconds. The Commission votes to approve the motion 8-0. ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS, COMMISSIONERS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS 1. Vice Chair Sanders Vice Chair Sanders shares that she has seen signs that say, “Sunshine Gardens Needs a Park” and is considering knocking on doors to acquire more information about that initiative. 2. Commissioner Yee Commissioner Yee shares that he attended Jackie Speier’s town hall. 3. Commissioner Bedigian Commissioner Bedigian says she will not be attending the next Commission meeting. Commissioner Cansino says she will not be able to attend either because she will be in San Diego presenting on her work relating to mental health. 4. Chair Hobson-Coard Chair Hobson-Coard shares that her band will be performing on March 29 at Fort McKinley at 9 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Chair Hobson-Coard adjourns the meeting at 8:06 p.m.