Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee Meeting - January 13, 2022
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Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee Meeting - January 13, 2022
The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors met on Thursday, January 13, 2022, at 6:15 PM. The committee considered two items: an ordinance requiring the police department to analyze implementation of private security regulations (Article 25 of the Police Code), and an ordinance amending domestic violence data reporting requirements. Both items were passed unanimously with amendments.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Leah Weinberg (District 2 resident) expressed support for the private security ordinance, citing harassment of children of color by armed private security guards and urging police department oversight.
- Katie Collie (District 2 resident, mother of two Black children) described specific incidents: a private security officer stopping a Black teenage boy on a public street, holding him without authority, and threatening him with a gun; and another officer following a 12-year-old boy of color, verbally threatening him, and taking pictures without consent. She implored the committee to move the legislation forward.
- Trish Tierney (San Francisco resident) supported the ordinance, calling the incidents horrific and emphasizing the need for oversight to ensure safety for all, especially young people and people of color.
Discussion Items
- Item 1 (210869) – Police Code: Private Protection and Security Services – Supervisor Stefani introduced the ordinance, which requires the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), in consultation with the Controller’s Office, to conduct a gap analysis of Article 25 of the Police Code. Article 25, enacted in 1972, mandates SFPD to register and regulate private security firms but has never been meaningfully implemented. The analysis would assess feasibility, necessary updates (including non-discrimination provisions, complaint processes, and penalties), and potential conflicts with state law. Diana Oliva Roche, Director of Policy and Public Affairs for SFPD, expressed support and noted that the department has not received permit applications for 49 years, and that state regulation often overlaps. She emphasized the need to determine whether the regulatory function should remain with SFPD. The committee heard public comment and then voted unanimously to send the ordinance to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation.
- Item 2 (211172) – Administrative Code: Domestic Violence Data Reporting – Supervisor Stefani presented amendments to a previously passed ordinance (duplicated by Supervisor Ronan) that requires quarterly reports from SFPD and the District Attorney’s Office on domestic violence cases. The amendments, developed in collaboration with Supervisor Ronan’s office, refine definitions of abuse and domestic violence, specify reporting categories (e.g., cases under Penal Code sections 273.5 and 243(e)(1), cases presented by SFPD’s Special Victims Unit, and cases referred to the DA’s domestic violence unit), and require reporting on victim services provided. A technical change was made to strike “including but not limited to” on page two, line four, to avoid altering the SFPD reporting structure. A correction was also made to restore language from the December meeting that supplemental information shall not include personal identifying information. No public comments were received. The committee adopted the amendments unanimously and then voted to send the amended ordinance to the full Board with a positive recommendation.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1: Motion to send the ordinance to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation passed unanimously (3 ayes: Vice Chair Stefani, Member Haney, Chair Maher).
- Item 2: Amendments to the ordinance were adopted unanimously (3 ayes). The motion to send the amended ordinance to the full Board with a positive recommendation passed unanimously (3 ayes).
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. The meeting will come to order. I didn't hear the beep indicating the meeting started. I didn't hear the public comment line. Jason, I think Jason's on the public comment line. Yes, hang on, one second. Sorry. Okay. Sorry about that. Are we live? Okay. Yes. Good morning. The meeting will come to order. Welcome to the Thursday, January 13th, 2022 meeting of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee. Supervisor Gordon Maher, the chair of this committee, and I'm joined by committee members Catherine Stephanie and Matt Haney. Thank you to this committee's clerk, Alisa Samara. And I also like to thank SFGov T for staffing this meeting. Madam Clerk, do you have any announcements? Yes, Mr. Chair. The minutes will reflect that committee members participated in this meeting remotely through video conference to the same extent as though they were physically present. The board recognizes that public access to city services is essential and invites public participation in the following ways. First, public comment will be available on each item on this agenda, either Channel 26, 78 or 99 and sfgovtv.org, are streaming the public comment call in number across the screen. Comments or opportunities to speak during public comment period are available via phone by calling 415 65501. The meeting ID is 2489 5014579. Press pound and then pound again. When connected, you will hear the meeting discussions, but you will be muted and in listening mode only. When your item of interest comes up, please dial star three to be added to the speaker line. Best practices are to call from a quiet location, speak clearly and slowly, and turn down your television or radio. Alternatively, you may submit public comment in writing in either of the following ways. You can email them to myself, the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Clerk at Alisa A-L-I-S A.org. If you submit public comment via email, it will be forwarded to the supervisors and be included as part of the official file. You may also send your written comments via U.S. Postal Service to our office at City Hall 1, Dr. Carlton B. Goodlick Place, Room 244, San Francisco, California, 94102. Finally, items acted upon today are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors Agenda of January 25th, 2022 and 22, unless otherwise stated. Mr. Chair. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Can you please call item number one? Uh yes. Item number one is an ordinance amending the police code to require the police department to perform an analysis for the implementation of Article 25, which provides for registration of private protection and security services with the police department to ensure that private security firms abide by all legal requirements and do not engage in racial profiling or other discriminatory practices. Members of the public who wish to provide public comment on this ordinance should call the public comment number now, 415-655-0001. Enter the meeting ID of 2489-5014579. Press pound and then pound again to connect to the meeting, and then press star three to enter the queue to speak. A system prompt will indicate that you have raised your hand. Please wait until we call for public comment on this item. And when the system indicates that you have been unmuted, that is your cue to begin your comments, Mr.
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