San Diego Public Safety Committee Meeting on January 17, 2024
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San Diego Public Safety Committee Meeting Summary
On January 17, 2024, the San Diego City Council's Public Safety Committee convened at 10:00 AM to address key public safety matters. The meeting included approval of prior actions, public testimony on various topics, a presentation on a new fire rescue helicopter, and establishment of the committee's 2024 priorities. The committee unanimously approved all measures, reflecting bipartisan support for enhanced public safety infrastructure.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the committee actions from November 15, 2023, by a unanimous 4-0 vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Terry Ann Skelly (parent and health educator) expressed support for the committee's focus on the fentanyl crisis and mental health, noting that 90% of drug use begins before age 20. She expressed concern about high-potency THC products being normalized for youth.
- The original (anonymous speaker) raised concerns about border security, surveillance technology, and resource allocation, quoting the U.S. Constitution's invasion clause and opposing spending on migrant services.
- Diane Grace (youth educator) thanked the council for creating the Office of Child and Youth Success, and advocated for reducing smoking and vaping among youth, citing tobacco control successes.
- Blair Beekman (community member) requested disclosure of surveillance technology placements, questioned the timeline of police helicopter purchases, and called for more transparency.
- Lori Saldania (North Claremont resident) criticized downtown encampment clearances, stating they push homeless individuals to other areas like freeways, without solving the problem.
- Becky Rapp (health educator) praised committee priorities and urged focus on the mental health impacts of marijuana on youth, referencing a Wall Street Journal article.
- Peggy Walker (health educator) urged the committee to address high-potency marijuana commercialization, emphasizing harms to youth and lack of scientific evidence for safety.
Discussion Items
- Purchase of Bell 412 EPX Fire Rescue Helicopter: Assistant Fire Chief David Garboth and Air Operations Chief Chuck McFarland presented a proposal to purchase a new fire rescue helicopter (Copter 4) for $21 million over 10 years. The new aircraft would replace the aging Copter 2 (a Bell 412 EP) and enhance firefighting and rescue capabilities. The presentation highlighted the program's history, current fleet, performance improvements, and the need for hangar infrastructure. Councilmembers expressed strong support, noting successful outcomes from past fires and rescues.
- Public Safety Committee Priorities for 2024: The committee reviewed members' submitted priorities, with no formal presentation. Public comments focused on sexual assault kit testing (by Lori Saldania), youth marijuana prevention (by Becky Rapp and Peggy Walker), and opposition to surveillance technologies (by Blair Beekman). The committee directed the chair to draft a work plan based on these priorities.
Key Outcomes
- Approval to Purchase Helicopter: Approved unanimously (4-0) to purchase the Bell 412 EPX helicopter for about $21 million over 10 years. The committee also noted ongoing efforts to part out Copter One, which is expected to generate over $700,000 more than an auction.
- Priorities Direction: The committee voted unanimously (4-0) to direct the chair to create a work plan for 2024 priorities, to be presented at the next meeting on February 14, 2024.
- Next Meeting: Scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at 2:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome everybody. Happy New Year's. Good to see everyone. Welcome to the Public Safety Committee meeting of January 17th, 2024. Our committee liaison, Sarah Jordan will provide information and instructions for the public on how to participate in today's meeting. Sarah, please proceed. Thank you, Chair. Well, members of the public are able to attend the meeting in person. This meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website, and the council administration will continue to make arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. Members of the public who wish to provide testimony via a call-in or an internet-based service option must enter the virtual speaking queue within five minutes after the conclusion of in-person public testimony or before the virtual speaking queue is exhausted, whichever occurs first. This will allow for better meeting management between the two platforms and ensure that the committee is able to manage and conduct city business. We appreciate the public's cooperation. Chair Von Wilbert. Thank you. I will now call the public safety committee meeting of January 17, 2024 to order. Sarah, please call the role. Vice Chair Campio. Here. Committee meet Committee Member Campbell. Committee member Whitburn. Sure. Chair Von Wilbert. President, I'm here. I'm really proud and excited to serve with this committee. Just saying. Very excited for all of you. Oh, sorry, go ahead, Sarah. Also attending the meeting is Michelle Garland from the Office of the City Attorney. Baku Patel from the office of the IBA and Chloe Madison from the office of the mayor. If you are in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of chambers and place it in the box indicated at the speaker's lectern at the front of the room. Please do so in a timely manner to ensure proper meeting management. Members of the public can join the webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone by accessing the link which is listed online in the preamble language of the agenda on the city's webpage. To join the Zoom webinar by telephone, please dial 1669-2545252 and when prompted, and put webinar ID 161-215-0336 pound. This information is also available on the agenda and will appear on the screen during the public comment period for each agenda item. Members of the public who wish to provide virtual testimony must enter the virtual queue by raising their hand before the queue closes. The queue will close when the last virtual speaker finishes speaking, or five minutes after in-person testimony ends, whichever happens first. Please note that if you're watching via City TV 24 or online, there may be a delay. Please participate via the audio on your phone and mute your TV or computer when it is your turn to speak. If you wish to speak on a particular item, please wait for that item to be called and then raise your hand to speak by tapping the raise your hand icon, or if you're a call-in participant by pressing star nine on your phone. If you raise your hand during a non-comment period, your hand will be lowered. Chair. Thank you very much. Um and thank you to everyone on the mayor's team, the council admin team, and the city attorney's office. Mr. Orloff, welcome. Good to see you here. Chloe Madison, we really thank you for all the work you have been doing. Uh, just so everyone out there knows these folks have been working all throughout the holiday break because I came back to many emails uh and calls. Uh I appreciate all that you do. Uh we're now going to move on to taking up the approval of the committee actions of November 15th, 2023.
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