Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee Meeting - February 12, 2020
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Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee Meeting - February 12, 2020
The Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee met on February 12, 2020, at 9:00 AM (local time) to discuss the 2020 work plan, receive a presentation on de-escalation training from the San Diego Police Department, and hear an update from Star PAL. The meeting was chaired by Councilmember Monica Montgomery, with Vice Chair Brie and Councilmember K present. Also in attendance were representatives from the City Attorney's Office, Mayor's Office, and SDPD.
Consent Calendar
- The committee unanimously approved the actions of the January 29, 2020, Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Francine Maxwell, a resident of Southeastern San Diego (District 4), spoke multiple times. She expressed concerns about the mayor's lack of engagement with the Citizens' Advisory Board on Police/Community Relations, criticized the proposed reduction of buffer zones between marijuana outlets and schools/churches from 1,000 to 600 feet, and raised a case of a senior who had his door kicked in during a welfare check and was denied compensation by risk management. She also praised Star PAL's executive director for addressing busing issues and requested a "caught being good" card program for police to give to youth.
- Savannah Dudar, policy associate with the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial County, commented on the de-escalation training presentation, urging the committee to examine measurable outcomes and disparities in police practices.
- A speaker (likely from Racial Justice Coalition) read the names of individuals killed in police encounters, including Alfred Olango, Toby Diller, Furman Vincent Valenzuela, E.J. Smith, and Robert Branch, and criticized the council for not banning neck restraints.
- Manuel and Jana did not wish to speak.
Discussion Items
- 2020 Work Plan: Chairwoman Montgomery introduced the work plan, focusing on police reform and building trust. Francine Maxwell raised concerns about page three regarding increased engagement with the citizens' advisory board, stating the mayor does not meet with them. The work plan was moved by Vice Chair, seconded by Councilmember Moreno, and passed unanimously.
- Response to Resistance and De-escalation Training: Assistant Chief Keith Lucas and Captain Kevin Jordan presented SDPD's de-escalation curriculum, noting it meets or exceeds state standards (AB 392). They highlighted training in crisis intervention, mental health, and implicit bias, and noted the department began a 40-hour crisis intervention team training a year ahead of the state mandate. They stated the use of force policy incorporating de-escalation language is near final approval. Councilmember Moreno asked about measuring training effectiveness and disparities; Captain Jordan responded that no definitive study has shown implicit bias training changes behavior, but research is ongoing. Councilmember Kate asked about the Star PAL program's approach to addressing disparities in communities of color; Executive Director Claire Lebaux and Lieutenant Kevin Mayer responded that officers from District 4 help tailor programming, and they emphasize relationships and trust-building.
- Star PAL Update: Executive Director Claire Lebaux and Lieutenant Kevin Mayer provided an update on Star PAL, a police-led youth program. They highlighted new infrastructure, support from CPPS funds and police department personnel, and successful events like a triathlon. Councilmember Kate shared her positive experience at the event. Public comment from Francine Maxwell thanked the director for responsiveness and called for a "caught being good" card initiative.
Key Outcomes
- The 2020 committee work plan was approved unanimously.
- The committee received the de-escalation training presentation and noted SDPD's progress in meeting AB 392 requirements, with an expectation that the finalized use of force policy will be published online soon.
- The Star PAL update was received and acknowledged; the committee expressed continued support for the program.
- No other formal decisions or votes were taken.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everyone. I'd like to call this meeting to order and note that Vice Chair Brie and Councilmember K are present. So we do have a quorum. We also have the IBA's office, uh Bakup Patel. Um also Ms. Falkman from the City Attorney's Office and Comrade Ware from the Mayor's Office. So at this time I will entertain a motion to approve the committee actions of the January 29th public safety and livable neighborhoods committee. So we have a motion and a second. All in favor. Aye. Any opposed? Uh that passes unanimously. At this time, we will move on to non-agenda public comment. Um we have um you will get two minutes apiece. We have Martha Welch who will be up first, and then we have Francie Maxwell who will follow her. Martha Welch, do everything legal. Uh, because two minutes we didn't vote for that. I'm talking about the police and and fire. Well, they haven't uh uh men uh over time, yeah. That's not right. Yeah, no. Now the stations for the fire that you don't they're red bad. If you can um two is the so on and Sky has um temporally they're you don't build them as bonds, that's the problem. Um I think they're private now after the BF B um proper. I think the the citizen work with AMI because I think they're gonna get more money because it won't work with them. Now I I saw him you saw um fire checks, but he's uh Bill Horn took the um the check. He's in trouble with the Fed, believe me, he's with them. And they that's why you don't have new drugs also. And you know every county and the state um EMN are the county problem. That's what they have a problem with uh on county, they're so bad because they don't set up what they should do. They don't do their job. That's why they give it the uh the but the county does this private city, state said, or us. That's what they do there. They gave they give it to you, but they don't help you out with my um that's not right. And maybe you don't pay them also, because I think it's going on and selling the checks. I'm not sure. And the police, the problem with the police, uh the I don't think that I'm questioning is it got the raise because we what I see all the things we vote for, we don't get. I'm not sure if they got the raise or not. And also um, we have problems with this, they're short-handed. I don't think you're gonna hire the new police. I think that's the problem here. What are you gonna do now if Bill Horn can't call and and what he always says somebody else? He's been doing it for 20 years. And now he can't call anymore. He can't help you with anything you want. If uh you want some money from the government, you have I have to do financial audit. I have to do that now because you saw me out of the city and the county. Uh full force now, but everybody in come, um they'll they'll get you because that's what's going on. Thank you, Francine Maxwell. You were up, you have two minutes, and you'll be followed by Alicia Saxina.
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