San Francisco Police Commission Meeting - October 9, 2024
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San Francisco Police Commission Meeting - October 9, 2024
The San Francisco Police Commission met on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 1:45 PM. The meeting included public comment, a consent calendar, the Chief's report on crime trends and public safety, the Department of Police Accountability (DPA) Director's report, commission reports, and a closed session. Commissioners voted unanimously on all actions.
Consent Calendar
- The consent calendar (Item 2) was received and filed unanimously (5-0). It included the 2023 SFPD Department Awards certification, the Police Commission report of disciplinary actions for the third quarter of 2024, and the SFPD and DPA's SB 1421 and SB16 monthly report. No public comment was made on the motion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Malin Kamoya (first speaker) made allegations against DPA Executive Director Paul Henderson, claiming violations of law and mistreatment of his family. He expressed anger and referenced ongoing legal matters.
- Chris Ward Klein warned that a scandal involving the Bitfocus system in New York City would spread to San Francisco, leading to resignations and potential unrest. He urged the community to remain calm and supported the police department being involved in any arrests.
- Mother of Abre Abracasa (unspecified name) spoke about her son's unsolved homicide from August 14, 2006. She requested more resources for cold cases, mentioned a $250,000 reward with no payouts in a decade, and asked for assistance from the DPA and the commission. She also highlighted the need to solve hate crimes within the Black community.
Discussion Items
- Chief's Report (Item 3): Chief Scott reported on the October 7th one-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks, noting a peaceful demonstration with vandalism at Manny's building and ongoing investigation with good video evidence. He also covered the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival (one arrest), Fleet Week (October 7-14, air show with Blue Angels), and a positive reception from visitors about the city's cleanliness. Crime statistics: overall crime down 32% (13,000 fewer crimes), property crimes down 34% (12,000 fewer), violent crimes down 14% (600 fewer), homicides down 42% (24 this year vs. 42 last year, though one additional death may bring it to 25). Homicide clearance rate at approximately 90%. Auto burglaries down 56% (9,000 fewer). A retail theft grant of $15.3 million funded blitz operations resulting in 17 arrests (13 adults, 4 juveniles) on Mission Street. Incidents: Waymo vandalism on October 5 (four subjects, slashed tires, broken windows, spray paint; passengers had minor injuries) and a hit-and-run suspect targeting Waymo and Zoox vehicles (no arrests). Traffic fatalities: one fatal on Treasure Island (October 6, driver died, passenger rescued), and one pedestrian struck while crossing against a red light (driver in custody, victim in critical condition). A large group of motorcycles (70+) gathered at a gas station but dispersed peacefully within 20 minutes.
- DPA Director's Report (Item 4): Executive Director Henderson reported that 554 cases have been opened this year, 204 active, 666 closed, 40 sustained, and 14 mediated. Of 18 cases older than 270 days, 17 are tolled due to pending criminal or civil cases. There are 111 sustained cases pending with the Chief and 9 pending with the Commission. This week, 14 new cases were opened, with the top allegation being inappropriate officer behavior. Central Station had the most complaints. The audit division is finalizing the stop data audit, with an exit conference with SFPD expected this month. DPA conducted outreach at the police academy and met with IT teams to improve information sharing via Benchmark.
- Commission Reports (Item 5): Commissioner Benedicto noted October as National Hispanic Heritage Month, Filipino American History Month, and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. He mentioned the stop data audit, a letter from community groups regarding Department General Order 7.01 (juveniles) expected for adoption in November, and thanked the Domestic Violence Consortium for an event at City Hall.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Motion to receive and file passed 5-0.
- Closed Session (Items 6-8): The commission voted unanimously (5-0) to hold Item 8 in closed session.
- Disclosure of Closed Session (Item 9): Motion to not disclose any items from closed session passed unanimously (5-0).
- No other votes or decisions were taken. The meeting adjourned after the closed session vote.
Meeting Transcript
Called the meeting to order. If you could please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Commissioners to take roll. Commissioner Clay. Present. Commissioner Walker. Present. Present. Commissioner Yanyez, are you present? Yes, president. All right. Commissioner Yi. Here. Commissioners, you have a quorum also with us tonight. We have Chief Scott from the San Francisco Police Department and Executive Director Paul Henderson from the Department of Police Accountability. Okay. I guess first item. Um second. All right. Line item one, general public comment. At this time, the public is now welcome to address the commission regarding items that do not appear on tonight's agenda, but are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the police commission. If you'd like to make public comment, please approach the podium. Can we get that for the gentleman in the mic there? No, I don't know. We'll get you set, help you set up. Yeah, you can use the name is Malin Kamoya. How are you doing? Good morning. Good afternoon. Don't say a word, just listen. You violated my family, Paul Henderson. You violated local, state, and federal law. When you were a DA, you had me legally in jail. And you knew it. You lived right next door to 4042 Parsons Street. I never disrespected you as a neighbor or as a human being. You allowed my uncle to die of a heart attack in Indiana, not press charges when Vince Collins came back up here to San Francisco after you held me in jail. And then Vince Collins identified himself as successor of the Holderholder Trust. You had me legally in jail. You've been allowing our property to be used for bank and ruy defraud. There is no way you should be sitting in that position right there. There's no way. Which is incorrect. We're in bankruptcy court now. My cousin was murdered over in Oakland. Okay. Because I guarantee you, if you had some true beef with me, you wouldn't bitch up. You would come up to me as a man.
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