Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee Meeting - February 25, 2021
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Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee Meeting - February 25, 2021
The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee met on Thursday, February 25, 2021, at 18:15 UTC (morning local time) to consider five agenda items, including liquor license transfers, a resolution supporting a state constitutional amendment to end involuntary servitude, a resolution urging city support for SFUSD senior class of 2021 activities, and a hearing on criminal justice system gaps and recidivism. The meeting was chaired by Supervisor Gordon Maher, with Vice Chair Catherine Stefani and Member Matt Haney, joined by Supervisors Asha Safai and Hilary Ronen for relevant items.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1 (Type 20 License Transfer): Transfer of an off-sale beer and wine license to Barbara Jean Grotta, doing business as Grotta Wines at 5299 3rd Street. The SFPD ABC Liaison reported zero letters of protest or support, low crime and saturation area, and no opposition. The committee voted unanimously (3-0) to prepare a resolution finding the transfer serves public convenience and necessity, sending it to the full board with positive recommendation.
- Item 2 (Type 21 License Transfer): Transfer of an off-sale general beer, wine, and distilled spirits license to Dakaz Inc., doing business as Mainland Market and Produce at 5601 Geary. The SFPD reported zero letters of protest or support, low crime and saturation area, and no opposition, with a condition to prevent loitering. The applicant, Navid Humanrod, spoke during public comment, stating the store is primarily a grocery (95% groceries, 5% alcohol) and that the license would serve customer convenience. The committee voted unanimously (3-0) to recommend approval.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 2 (Mainland Market): Applicant Navid Humanrod explained the store’s focus on groceries and expressed desire to serve customers efficiently.
- Item 4 (Senior Activities): One public commenter urged the committee to meet with students and seniors directly to understand their needs, emphasizing mental health support and food security rather than gift boxes, and called for platforms with psychologists and social workers.
- Item 5 (Criminal Justice Hearing): Ron DeCosta criticized the city’s lack of action on quality-of-life issues, noting the closure of the Office of Criminal Justice, delayed treatment beds, and poor jail conditions. Carolyn Gussin (SF Policy Director, Public Defender’s Office) advocated for trauma-informed substance use and mental health services, and urged vaccines for incarcerated people. Roma Guy (Taxpayers for Public Safety) recommended a higher-level structure for collaboration across agencies, including behavioral health, pretrial, and the Office of Equity.
Discussion Items
- Item 3 (Resolution Supporting ACA 3): Supervisor Haney introduced a resolution supporting Assembly Constitutional Amendment 3, which would remove the phrase “unless for the punishment of a crime” from Article 1, Section 6 of the California Constitution, thereby ending involuntary servitude. Dorsey Nunn (Executive Director, Legal Services for Prisoners with Children) testified, emphasizing the need to dismantle structural racism and the legacy of slavery. He noted that Utah, Colorado, and Nebraska have already removed similar language. The resolution also denounces structural racism. Supervisors Maher and Mar added themselves as co-sponsors. The committee voted unanimously (3-0) to send the resolution to the full board.
- Item 4 (SFUSD Senior Class of 2021 Activities): Supervisor Safai presented a resolution urging city departments to support senior-specific activities for the Class of 2021, including funding, resources, and outdoor spaces. Speakers included Nate Ford (SF Rebels basketball), who highlighted the need for videography and recruiting services for student-athletes, costing $300–$800 per tape. Viva Mogey (SFUSD Director of Policy and Planning) requested city support for physically distanced graduations, videographers, and senior gift boxes. Maria Sue (DCYF Director) offered videography and photography resources from community-based organizations. Cheryl Davis (Human Rights Commission) suggested leveraging the Opportunities for All program for internships. Phil Ginsburg (Rec & Park) proposed a surprise: a ticket to ride the SkyStar Wheel for every SFUSD senior, and offered space and staff photographers. The committee amended the resolution to add Rec & Park and other departments, then voted unanimously (3-0) to forward it to the full board.
- Item 5 (Criminal Justice System Gaps and Recidivism): Supervisor Safai called a hearing to examine loopholes in the criminal justice system, particularly for individuals on parole, probation, or pretrial diversion, and the role of substance abuse. Presentations were given by:
- SFPD: Deputy Chief David Lazar reported that in 2020, 51% of adult arrestees had two or more prior arrests, and 651 arrestees were on parole or probation. He noted a 33% drop in arrests in 2020 (12,807) and an 18% increase in cases discharged to parole/probation. The department will revise its 1994 policy on notifying parole/probation, add double-check verification, and improve communication with the DA’s office.
- District Attorney Chesa Boudin: Presented data showing that 56% of arrestees presented to the DA in 2020 had no recent prior arrest; among those with three or more arrests, filing rates increased to 70%. She emphasized the need for better data systems, a multi-agency MOU, and a dedicated fentanyl task force. She noted that the office cannot file charges without sufficient evidence, and that treatment on demand is critical.
- Adult Probation: Chief Karen Fletcher reported that 74% of clients have substance use needs, and 37% of total clients are African American, rising to 48% among those rearrested. She highlighted the use of risk-need assessments and individualized treatment plans, but noted that court orders alone do not guarantee compliance. She called for clearer policies on when to file new charges versus motions to revoke.
- Sheriff Paul Miyamoto: Provided data on bookings (46,977 total over three years), noting that 51.8% of those on electronic monitoring were rearrested. He described in-custody treatment programs and discharge planning, including partnerships with DPH and community-based organizations. He emphasized the impact of COVID on programming and visitation.
- Pretrial Diversion: CEO David Mauro presented safety rates (percentage not rearrested during pretrial), noting that over 51% of clients are homeless and 55% are referred to housing. He highlighted challenges with treatment bed availability and the need for community support hubs.
Key Outcomes
- Items 1, 2, 3, and 4 were all approved unanimously (3-0) and sent to the full Board of Supervisors for consideration on March 9, 2021. Item 4 was amended to include the Department of Recreation and Parks and other coordinating bodies.
- Item 5 was continued to the call of the chair (unanimous vote) to allow follow-up on progress, including the new interagency MOU, the mayor’s announced initiatives, and potential budget discussions.
- The committee noted the need for improved data systems, increased treatment bed capacity, and better coordination among agencies to address recidivism and substance abuse. Supervisor Ronen committed to a future hearing on the implementation of Mental Health SF.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. The meeting will come to order. Welcome to the Thursday, February 25th meeting of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee. I'm Supervisor Gordon Maher, the chair of this committee. And I'm joined by Vice Chair Catherine Stephanie and committee member Matt Haney. And we're also joined by Supervisor Asha Safay, who has sponsored two items on the agenda today, and Supervisor Ronin, who will be joining us for item number five. Thank you to this committee's clerk, John Carroll. And I'd also like to thank SFGov TV for staffing this meeting. Mr. Clerk, do you have any announcements? Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. In order to protect the public, board members, and city employees during the COVID 19 health emergency, the Board of Supervisors Legislative Chamber and Committee Room are closed. This precaution is taken pursuant to all various local, state, and federal orders, declarations, and directives. Committee members will attend this meeting through video conference and participate in the meeting to the same extent as if they're physically present in their committee room. Public comment will be available on each item on this agenda. Both San Francisco Cable Channel 26 and SFgovTV.org are streaming a public comment call in number across the screen at this time. Your opportunity to speak and provide your public comment during any of today's public comment periods will be available to you via phone by dialing. 415 65501. Once you're connected and prompted, enter the meeting ID for today's meeting, which is 1872. Following that, press the pound symbol twice to be connected to the meeting. When you're connected, you will hear the meeting discussions, but your line will be muted and in a listening mode only. When your item of interest comes up, dial star followed by three to be added to the speaker line. Assistant prompts will then indicate that you have raised your hand. Please wait until the system indicates that you've been unmuted and you may then begin your comments. Best practices are to call from a quiet location to speak clearly and slowly and to turn down your television, your radio, or your streaming device. Everyone must account for potential time delays and speaking discrepancies that we may encounter between the live coverage and streaming. Alternatively, you may submit your public comment in either of the following ways. You may email me. My name is John Carroll. I'm the clerk of the public safety neighborhood services committee, and my email address is J-O-H-N. Period. C A R R O L L at S F G-O-V dot or G. My contact information also appears on the front of the agenda if you need to reach that uh email address. Your written comments may also be sent by U.S. Postal Service to our office in City Hall. The address for our office is room 244, the clerk's office. One, Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, California, 94102. Once again, all that contact information is on the front page of our agenda. And finally, Mr. Chair, any items acted upon today will appear on the Board of Supervisors Agenda of March 9th, 2021. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Can you please call item number one? Agenda one is a hearing to consider that the transfer of a type 20 off-sale beer and wine liquor license to Barbara Jean Grotta, doing business as Grotta Wines located at 5299 3rd Street, will serve the public convenience or necessity of the city and county. Members of the public who wish to provide public comment on this hearing should call the public comment number and I will repeat it. 415 65501. Following that, enter the meeting ID of 187-2315946.
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