Public Safety Subcommittee

City Hall, Council Chamber City of Santa Rosa 100 Santa Rosa Avenue Santa Rosa, CA 95404 Public Safety Subcommittee Regular Meeting Minutes - Final Friday, August 7, 2020 9:00 AM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Present: 3 - Tom Schwedhelm, Victoria Fleming and John Sawyer 2. ANNOUNCEMENTS 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS Leslie Graves, co-Vice Chair for Community Advisory Board, shared public comment from the Community Advisory Board Meeting: requesting Santa Rosa Police Department to define deescalation and explain use of force policies, call for greater consistency for all law enforcement officers in Sonoma County, call for a joint power agreement between the City and the County with the office of IOLERO, a citizen's advisory committee, recommend a discussion of the Human Rights Commission report. Jobell spoke about the Zoom link not working in the agenda. Sophia Ferar spoke about the Zoom link not working in the agenda and the lack of publicizing of the meeting. Eric Fraser spoke on the Zoom link not working in the agenda and transparency in Santa Rosa Police Department's data. Charlotte Borg spoke regarding the meeting date for the being misidentified in a meeting on Monday, the agenda items having minimal descriptions, and the finalized presentation for 4.1 not available until yesterday. Accountability spoke regarding the difficulty of accessing the meeting and gave suggestions to easily publicize the meeting link. Hugh Hotafel left a voicemail in opposition to defunding of the police City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 14 Public Safety Subcommittee Regular Meeting Minutes - Final August 7, 2020 department. Maxine Lavin left a voicemail in opposition to defunding of the police department. Patrick Rutton left a voicemail in opposition to defunding of the police department. Joan Marie Franklin's email was read in opposition to defunding of the police department. Rich's email was read in opposition to defunding of the police department. Janelle Ogg's email was read regarding continuing the School Resource Officer program. Kristine Musante's email was read in opposition to defunding of the police department. Louise Clark's email was read regarding addressing racial prejudices that exist in the Police Department and the community, in opposition to defunding of the police department., and better publicizing this subcommittee's meetings to all City residents. Debbie Moore's email was read regarding the homeless situation in Santa Rosa, increasing police patrols downtown, improve lighting downtown, and supporting downtown merchants. Lisa Brown's email was read in opposition to defunding of the police department. 4. NEW BUSINESS 4.1 UPDATE ON MODELS FOR RESPONSE TO MENTAL ILLNESS/HOMELESSNESS (CAHOOTS AND other PROGRAMS) Staff will provide an update on models to address mental illness and City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 14 Public Safety Subcommittee Regular Meeting Minutes - Final August 7, 2020 quality of life issues. There is national attention to address mental illness and quality of life issues using alternative methods rather than the police. The CAHOOTS Program (Crisis Assistance Helping Out on The Streets) is a nonprofit program in Eugene, Oregon. The organization responds to calls related to crisis situations, both independently and with police officers. The Police Department obtained preliminary information of several other programs, locally and nationally, which provide varied responses for non-criminal events. Captain John Cregan gave a presentation regarding models for response to mental illness/ homelessness and answered Subcommittee's questions. Mayor Schwedhelm recessed the meeting at 10:20 AM and reconvened the meeting at 10:32 AM. Present: 3 - Tom Schwedhelm, Victoria Fleming and John Sawyer PUBLIC COMMENT Suzy Lanter spoke in support of the CAHOOTs model, more funding for mental health programs by defunding the police, and sharing the statistics that were used in the presentation. Jolie spoke regarding her request to defer the meeting due to the inactive Zoom link and more funding for mental health programs by professionals trained in mental health crises by defunding the police. Libby spoke in support of funding more mental health programs and less police response to mental health crisis. Eric Fraser spoke in regards to the difficulty of comparing data from other organizations to Santa Rosa Police Department's data, the need to depoliticize current situations, the local resources mentioned in the presentation are not working, in support of CAHOOTs or another outside agency, and asked about funding sources for that type of program. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 14 Public Safety Subcommittee Regular Meeting Minutes - Final August 7, 2020 Keith Rhinehart spoke in support of the CAHOOTs model, shifting funds from the Police Department to create a non-uniformed mental health crisis response team, and in support of the new transparency page on the SRPD webpage. Danielle Cazares spoke regarding the Police Department budget increase and the Housing and Community Services budget decrease, offering mental health services to community members, and defunding the Police Department. Scott spoke regarding the current reactionary approach in law enforcement regarding mental health crisis, the Police Department budget increase, and diverting Police Department funds into proactive programs that support members of our community. Charlotte Borg spoke in support of CAHOOTs and providing a compassionate response for mental health other than the police department. Melissa spoke about providing a compassionate response for mental health other than the police department, in support of CAHOOTs, and reallocate funds from the police department to mental health programs. Defund the Police spoke in regards of mental illness, homeless, and drug addiction are not a crime; defunding the police and funding mental health services, housing, and addiction services; and abolish the police. Delashay spoke in regards to deaths of people experiencing mental illness by police, shifting responsibility and funding for mental illness from the Police Department to social services and the medical community, statistics and cost of people experiencing mental illness booked in jail and charged with crimes, the level of training the Police Department receive for mental illness, and a phone number separate from 911 for those experiencing a mental health crisis. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 14 Public Safety Subcommittee Regular Meeting Minutes - Final August 7, 2020 Sal spoke in regards to the difference between police and firefighters, was at the clearing of the Cancer Park and the harassment and punishment of the homeless by the Police Department, and spoke in support of defunding the police and refunding social services. Rigel Bowen spoke in regards to his frustration that the reforms need to be discussed instead of just implementing the reforms, the police department is incapable of doing their own job with the funding they already receive, and spoke in support of defund, reallocate, and abolish the police. Evan Phillips spoke in support of CAHOOTs, having more response options to limit police interaction which keeps police officers and the public safer, accountability of past misconduct by police officers, divesting and reallocating funding to more responsive and preventative models to reduce the need for policing, and the homelessness crisis has contributing factors and there are solutions with a multi-pronged approach to address immediate needs and conditions that contribute to someone becoming homeless. Denise Hill spoke in support of CAHOOTs or a similar style program to reduce the burden of the police department for these types of calls for service, the issue of the criminal element of homelessness in the community and the concentrated release of incarcerated persons into Santa Rosa streets, asking the City to ask for other jurisdictions to help carry the load to deal with the homeless, and the HOST line outgoing message needs to be updated and be more specific. Accountability spoke in support of other models outside of the CAHOOTs program however the majority of the other programs did not take responsibility away from the Police Departments, reallocating Police Department funds to better support the community, and expanding mental health capacity and support within Sonoma County. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 14 Public Safety Subcommittee Regular Meeting Minutes - Final August 7, 2020 Berenice spoke about making these meetings more accessible and announcing on more platforms other than the City's Facebook page, also announce to the organizations, such as SAY, to allow the members to participate, and in support of CAHOOTS. Raquel spoke in support of funding more mental health services similar to CAHOOTs, defund the police department and reinvest in community programs, and police are not equipped to deal with mental health crisis. Lucy spoke about the presentation did not acknowledge that many people experiencing mental health crisis do not call the police; the Mobile Support Team does not have the staffing or ability to do all the work that is needed to be done, it is used at the hands of the police, and hours are limited; mental health professionals have different training than police officers and are better suited to support mental health crisis; and in support of CAHOOTs. Natalie spoke in regards to funding social workers, rehabilitation programs, and social services instead of the police department; and in support of CAHOOTs. Sophia spoke in regards to a program in Europe that trains law enforcement officers for three years and those officers do not carry guns or weapons; needing professionals trained in mental health; and in support of CAHOOTS by defunding the police department. Robert Edmonds, former Vice Chair of Community Local Law Enforcement Task Force, spoke about the Evelyn Cheatam Ordinance approved at the Board of Supervisors Meeting, encouraged the City Council to develop a MOU to use the services of the IOLERO for real oversight of the police and that there is no comparison with the contract model for auditor that Santa Rosa has used previously, and in support of CAHOOTs by moving funding away from police to help the public. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 14 Public Safety Subcommittee Regular Meeting Minutes - Final August 7, 2020 Paulina spoke about defunding the police and reinvest in the community, and in support of CAHOOTs. No voicemail or email public comments. Mayor Schwedhelm recessed the meeting at 11:35 AM and reconvened the meeting at 11:50 AM. Presented Present: 3 - Tom Schwedhelm, Victoria Fleming and John Sawyer 4.2 CALLS FOR SERVICE FOR MENTAL ILLNESS/HOMELESSNESS Staff will provide an update on the study that has been undertaken to determine the impacts of calls for mental illness and quality of life issues. The Department completed a preliminary audit of these calls for service and will provide a report and recommendation for a more in-depth analysis. Chief Navarro gave a presentation about calls for service for mental illness/ homelessness and answered Subcommittee's questions. PUBLIC COMMENT Eric Fraser spoke regarding his concerns about the data that was presented. Keith Rhinehart spoke about the data presented regarding mental health crisis calls, more funding for mental health calls, disappointed with police officers responding to mental health crisis calls, and in support of CAHOOTs. Evan Phillips spoke in support of proper funding to mental health services, working with community experts, and doing better than CAHOOTs. Charlotte Bork spoke in regards to the data showing a need for a CAHOOTs type program, her concern for residents recently detained by ICE, and the new mental health program implemented City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 14 Public Safety Subcommittee Regular Meeting Minutes - Final August 7, 2020 needs to help residents regardless of immigration status. Roman spoke in support of Eric Fraser's comment and have the City work in conjunction with the County's Mobile Support Team in the interim while a CAHOOTs style program is implemented. Libby spoke in support of the CAHOOTs program and wants to see follow up and proper funding by divesting funds from the Police Department. Melissa spoke in regards to echoing concerns for support for undocumented community members, support of independent auditor finding the data, and mental health consultants in programs already running, and in support of CAHOOTs and work with Mobile Support Team in the meantime. Scott spoke in regards to the CAHOOTs style program needs to be developed in conjunction with community members with limited input from the Police Department, a lack of transparency in the data collected, and requires an independent office overseeing the implementation. Delashay spoke in regards to CAHOOTs program being run by mental health agencies, and not the Police Department, and needs ample funding. Anna Frattolillo, a mental health worker, spoke in support of Delashay's comment and advocated for working with citizens experiencing mental health crisis to be a part of creating the program, and this program defunds the police and also hold mental health professionals accountable. Defund the Police spoke in support of Delashay's comment and providing funding to help homeless by defunding the Police Department. Megan spoke in regards to her reporting of racial bias in 911 calls City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 9 of 14 Public Safety Subcommittee Regular Meeting Minutes - Final August 7, 2020 and has spoken with police officers and dispatchers who support other types of response programs, in support of CAHOOTs and creation of a citizen oversight committee for the planning and implementation, spoke in support of Scott and Delashay's comments, providing transparent data, reprioritizing calls for service, where to take individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, and defund the police. Jolie spoke in regards to her concern on the accuracy of the data presented. Julia spoke regarding her support for previous speakers, Delashay's comment about funding for CAHOOTs, and overtime expenses for police officers. Natalie spoke in support of previous callers and funding for CAHOOTs coming from Police Department. Mayor Schwedhelm exited the meeting at 1:00 PM. Vice Mayor Fleming recessed the meeting at 1:02 PM and reconvened the meeting at 1:17 PM. Presented Present: 2 - Victoria Fleming and John Sawyer Absent: 1 - Tom Schwedhelm 4.3 SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS AD HOC COMMITTEE UPDATE Staff will provide an update on the School Resource Officers Ad Hoc Committee created by Santa Rosa City Schools to evaluate the value of the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program within their school district. Staff will provide a brief update on agenda items and timelines. Chief Navarro gave a brief presentation on the School Resource Officer Ad Hoc Committee Update and answered Subcommittee's questions. Rigel Bowen spoke in regards to having this discussion without City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 10 of 14 Public Safety Subcommittee Regular Meeting Minutes - Final August 7, 2020 having listened to comments of those under the SRO program. Keith Rhinehart spoke in opposition of the SRO program and diverting money from the SRO program to having mental health professionals on campus. Megan spoke in opposition of the SRO program. Suzy Lanter spoke in regards to the history of the SRO program, statistics of the school-to-prison pipeline, and SRO budget. Eric Fraser spoke in opposition of the SRO program. Sophia spoke in opposition to the SRO program. Scott spoke in opposition of the SRO program. Melissa spoke in opposition of the SRO program and needing more social services in schools. Jo spoke in opposition to the SRO program, poll the students how they feel about having a SRO on campus, the requirements to become a police officer require are limited in specialized training and strict in background experiences which limit who can become an officer, and the need for people who can relate to the people they are responding to and more counselors in schools. Emma spoke in opposition to the SRO program and the lack of other resources in schools. Defund the Police spoke in opposition to the SRO program. Libby spoke in opposition to the SRO program. Charlotte Borg spoke in opposition to the SRO program. Natalie spoke in opposition to the SRO program. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 11 of 14 Public Safety Subcommittee Regular Meeting Minutes - Final August 7, 2020 Julia spoke in opposition to the SRO program, defund the Police Department, and reallocate funds. Alan Pravel spoke in opposition to defunding the police, the police department is understaffed for the population size in terms of sworn officer ratio to population, offer hazard compensation pay to officers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in support of the SRO program. Stephan Bussell, Police Officer's Association President and SRO, left a voicemail in regards to the Police Department's commitment to move forward with community engagement, education, and unity, in support of the creation of the School Resource Officer Ad Hoc committee, the benefits of the SRO program on campuses, and welcomes dialogue about the program with community members. Seyshelle spoke in opposition to Alan Pravel's comment. Amber spoke in opposition to the SRO program and needing additional funding for services and programs in schools. Sabel Regalia spoke in opposition to the SRO program. Richard Ogg's email was read in support of the SRO program. Subcommittee provided direction to staff on the School Resource Officer Ad Hoc committee. Presented 4.4 21st CENTURY POLICING AND LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Staff will provide an update on 21st Century Policing and updated legislation. In 2015, the President commissioned the 21st Century Policing report which outlines six pillars and emphasizes Procedural Justice. The Santa Rosa Police Department published it's alignment with the six pillar recommendations at that time and is now updating the current alignment with the six pillars. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 12 of 14 Public Safety Subcommittee Regular Meeting Minutes - Final August 7, 2020 Chief Navarro gave a brief presentation regarding 21st century policing and a legislative update. Keith Rhinehart spoke in support of the adoption of the six pillars and in opposition to the SRO program. Eric Fraser spoke in opposition to the SRO program and discussed what is lacking from the six pillars. Jolie thanked Vice Mayor Fleming for her point of view on these agenda items and asked Chief Navarro to bridge the gap with addressing the pillars in our community. Defund the Police addressed the problems she has had with the police. Libby spoke in regards to the lack of an update about six pillars, the foundation of law enforcement and policing, and what is being done to address systemic racism within the police department. Sabel Regalia echoed the comments of previous speakers on the origins of police departments and discussed item #1 of the six pillars. Emma asked a question of the subcommittee - do you think implicit bias training is working in police communities in Santa Rosa? Charlotte Borg spoke on her confusion for the purpose of this agenda item and spoke on pillar #1 in regards to lack of police department accountability, her concern about the lack of community wellness and safety mentioned in the pillars, and the lack of action taken by the police department for actions of violence against protestors by members of the public. Roman spoke in support of Charlotte's comment, in opposition to the SRO program, reallocation of funds from the police department to social services, and the need for consultants instead of staff City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 13 of 14 Public Safety Subcommittee Regular Meeting Minutes - Final August 7, 2020 presenters. Scott spoke in regards to the lack of update to the six pillars and briefly discussed the pillars. Julia echoed previous statements and spoke about the protests and holding officer's accountable. Vice Mayor Fleming delayed Item 4.5 - Transparency to the next meeting due to lack of quorum. Nicole Pierce's voicemail was played in support of the police department. Deanna Holzapfel's email was read in support of the Police Department and do not defund. Katherine Larsen's email was read in support of the Police Department. Amy Famini's email was read in support of the Police Department, providing more robust training to Police Officers, and do not defund. Amy Newton's email was read in support of the Police Department and do not defund. Gavin Newton's email was read in support of the Police Department and do not defund. Richard Ogg's email was read in support of the Police Department and do not defund. Presented 4.5 TRANSPARENCY Staff will provide an update to the recently published Santa Rosa Police Department 2019 data including calls for service, arrests and use of force. The department provides information to the community through City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 14 of 14 Public Safety Subcommittee Regular Meeting Minutes - Final August 7, 2020 the department’s website: srcity.org/change-for-the-better. This item has been deferred to the next meeting due to lack of a quorum. 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Item 4.5 - Transparency was deferred to next meeting due to quorum. 6. ADJOURNMENT Vice Mayor Fleming adjourned the meeting at 3:22 PM. The City of Santa Rosa does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admissions or access to, or treatment of or employment in, its programs or activities. Disability-related aids or services, including printed information in alternate formats, to enable persons with disabilities to participate in public meetings and programs are available by contacting the Secretary at (707) 543-3012 (TTY Relay at 711) one week prior to the meeting. Meeting information can also be accessed via the internet at http://srcity.org. Approved on: September 25, 2020 /s/ Elizabeth Licursi, Recording Secretary