San Francisco Police Commission Meeting – October 16, 2024

The San Francisco Police Commission met on October 16, 2024, at 1:45 PM. The meeting included an In Memoriam tribute, public comment, approval of a consent calendar, reports from the Chief and the Department of Police Accountability (DPA), commission reports, a presentation on DPA’s DataSF transparency initiative, and a detailed discussion regarding the dissolution of SF SAFE and the status of its former programs. The meeting also included a closed session (Item 11) and a vote on disclosure of that session.

Consent Calendar

• Donations accepted: The Commission voted unanimously to receive and file three donations from the San Francisco Police Community Foundation: $10,000 for Tenderloin District Station, $20,000 for Northern Station, and $25,000 for Southern Station.

Public Comments & Testimony

• In Memoriam Public Comment: Jeannie Nielsen, widow of Sergeant Rennie Nielsen, spoke about her husband’s mental health struggles and suicide, urging the department to provide proactive mental health support and reconsider the practice of immediately disarming officers in crisis.
• General Public Comment (Item 2):
  • Chris Sword Klein raised concerns about the BitFocus/One System homeless management information system, alleging it could be used to manipulate individuals and influence police interactions. He requested that the city investigate its use in every DPA case and shooting incident.
  • A mother of a murdered son (Aubrey Abacasa) expressed frustration over lack of progress in her son’s case and named individuals she believes are involved. She also criticized the city’s handling of mental health issues for victims’ families.
• Public comment on Chief’s Report: The same mother reiterated her frustration and asked for help.
• No public comment on other items (DPA report, Commission reports, DataSF presentation, SF SAFE presentation).

Discussion Items

• Chief’s Report (Item 4): Chief Bill Scott reported a 32% decrease in all Part 1 serious crimes year-to-date compared to the previous year (about 14,000 fewer crimes). Violent crime was down 14%, property crime down 34%, and car break-ins down 57% (nearly 10,000 fewer incidents). Gun-related homicides were down 38% (18 year-to-date vs. 29 last year), and total homicides were down 42% (25 vs. 43). He also noted:

  • A new homicide ruling from an August 11 incident (victim died October 4) – suspect punched victim, causing fatal fall; investigation ongoing.
  • Homicide arrests made in a earlier case at 16th and Mission.
  • A non-fatal shooting on October 12 (victim uncooperative).
  • Significant narcotics and firearms arrests by the narcotics unit.
  • A Union Square incident where a car was driven into the Dior store (October 11); suspects fled, leads being pursued.
  • Fleet Week had no critical incidents.
  • A fatal traffic collision on October 15 involving a motorcyclist.

• DPA Director’s Report (Item 5): Acting Executive Director Diana Rosenstein reported that the DPA opened 16 new cases and closed 13. Year-to-date, they have sustained 46 cases, with 118 sustained cases pending before the Chief and 9 pending before the Commission. The Stop Data Audit exit interview is scheduled for October 28.

• Commission Reports (Item 6):

  • Commissioner Walker noted concerns from the Candlestick Community Alliance and Hunters Point Shipyard artists about coordination between SFPD, the Port, and other agencies regarding security and parking restrictions. She will investigate and report back.
  • Commissioner Yanyez discussed the juvenile DGO (Department General Order) 701, noting community organizations submitted recommendations. Chief Scott said the department is reviewing legal issues and language nuances, with a focus on consistency with state law. Commissioner Yanyez also requested metrics for community policing, referencing the 2018 strategic plan, and will work with the Community Engagement Division to develop a plan before the DGO vote.

• Presentation of DPA’s DataSF Charts (Item 7): Nicole Armstrong (Director of Operations) and Eric Ho (IT Director) presented the DPA annual report and a new public data sharing initiative. The data portal, launching Friday, will provide weekly updates on case openings, closures, allegations, findings, and demographics, with interactive dashboards. The DPA also highlighted its award-winning audit work, policy recommendations, and successful internship program (12 field trips, 22 guest speakers in 2023).

• Presentation on SF SAFE and Neighborhood Safety Team (Item 8):

  • Captain Aaron Perry (Community Engagement) presented the new Neighborhood Safety Team (NST), which took over from SF SAFE in February 2024. Services include neighborhood watch, security surveys, safety presentations, community policing events (e.g., National Night Out, victim walks). The team currently has one sergeant and four officers, with a full-time professional hire expected soon. Cameras previously handled by SF SAFE are now owned by vendor Applied Video Solutions (AVS); SFPD is evaluating whether to purchase or subscribe to the service.
  • Director Ryan Cow (Crime Strategies) confirmed that AVS owns the cameras and SFPD is assessing the proposal alongside other Prop E technology commitments.
  • Commissioner Carter-Oberstone led extensive questioning about the SF SAFE scandal: He noted that SF SAFE’s board was half SFPD employees, that the department was unaware of red flags despite internal audits, that SFPD attended lavish parties (e.g., $228,105 on gift boxes for a February 2022 event), and that the department did not request receipts for reimbursements. Chief Scott stated that SFPD had no role in hiring or vetting SF SAFE staff, that they first learned of nonpayment in early 2023, and that they requested the controller’s audit in June 2023 after meeting with a vendor. He said the department has implemented safeguards: working with the controller’s office, joint monitoring visits, and new grant management staff. However, he resisted committing to seek documents from the District Attorney or court enforcement to recover financial records, citing the ongoing criminal investigation. Commissioner Clay and Commissioner Walker emphasized the need for oversight and accountability. Commissioner Vice President Carter-Oberstone expressed frustration that the department appeared hesitant to fully investigate the $5.3 million in grants.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved (unanimous vote).
• No votes on other discussion items; they were for discussion and presentation only.
• Closed Session (Item 11): The Commission voted to hold Item 11 in closed session (Item 10) and later voted not to disclose any discussion from that closed session (Item 12).
• Next Steps:
  • Commissioner Walker will investigate security coordination at Candlestick/Hunters Point.
  • Commissioner Yanyez will work with the Community Engagement Division on metrics for community policing before the DGO vote (expected in November).
  • DPA’s DataSF portal will go live on Friday, October 18, 2024, with weekly updates.
  • SFPD will continue evaluating the AVS camera proposal and will implement grant monitoring safeguards as discussed.