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[1. 20-3806 Invocation]
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR JOINING US ON OUR ON A SATURDAY FOR OUR THIRD PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING LISTENING SESSION THIS WEEK.MADAM CLERK, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL ROLE COUNCIL MEMBER ANDREW SULLIVAN.
COUNCIL MEMBER PERRY HERE AND CHAIR CAB HDA.
I'D LIKE TO BEGIN TODAY'S MEETING WITH AN INDICATION FROM PASTOR CHARLES FLOWERS.
PASTOR CHARLES FLOWERS HAS BEEN THE SENIOR PASTOR OF FAITH OUTREACH CENTER INTERNATIONAL SINCE MARCH 11TH, 2001, WHEN HIS FATHER IN THE MINISTRY, DR.
DEWEY BUD GARDNER, TRANSFERRED THE MANTLE OF LEADERSHIP OVER TO HIM.
PASTOR FLOWERS IS ALSO THE FOUNDER OF SAN ANTONIO IN BLACK, WHITE, AND BROWN, A MULTICULTURAL MULTIRACIAL LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE.
HE'S ORIGINALLY FROM TROY, NORTH CAROLINA AND MARRIED TO THE LOVE OF HIS WIFE JANICE FROM ST.
THEY HAVE FOUR WONDERFUL CHILDREN.
THANK, UH, UH, PASTOR FLOWERS IF YOU'LL GO AHEAD.
FATHER, WE JUST THANK YOU, FATHER, WE THANK YOU AGAIN THIS MORNING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO CENTER OUR MINDS AROUND YOUR PURPOSES.
WE ACKNOWLEDGE AND INVOKE YOUR PRESENCE.
INVOKE IS TO DESIRE WITH EARNESTNESS, AND WE DO DESIRE WITH EARNESTNESS THAT YOU WOULD COME AND ALLOW US TO THINK YOUR THOUGHTS AFTER YOU.
WE OFTEN, BECAUSE OF OUR UNLIMITED UNDERSTANDING AND CAPACITIES, GET OURSELVES, PAINT OURSELVES INTO THE VIRTUAL CORNER.
BUT GOD, WE PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS THAT YOU WOULD, UH, PROVIDE AN AVENUE OF WISDOM AND COURAGE, UH, TO, UH, TO LEAD IN THIS CITY.
WE PRAY FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS CITY IN THE NAME OF JESUS.
WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD GUIDE THEM AND SPEAK TO THEM AND LET THEIR HEARTS BE BRAVE ENOUGH TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT YOU GIVE SO THAT OUR CITY MAY BE BLESSED AND THE PEOPLE IN IT, IN EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE MAY RECEIVE THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE WHO CALL UPON YOUR NAME.
SO WE THANK YOU, OH GOD, AND PRAISE YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO.
IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, WE PRAY.
[Additional Item]
AGENDA IS THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM OUR JUNE 18TH MEETING.IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE? JUNE 18TH MEETING MINUTES.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND WITH A MOTION AND SECOND BEING MADE ALL MEMBERS TO VOTE.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.
[3. 20-3808 Public Comments]
GONNA JUMP IN TO OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS, UH, FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO'VE SIGNED UP TO RECEIVE A CALL TO SPEAK LIVE.AS A REMINDER, EVERYONE WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK, AFTER WHICH I WILL CALL THE NEXT SPEAKER.
PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF THE NEXT, UH, SPEAKER BY LIMITING YOUR COMMENTS TO TWO MINUTES.
OUR FIRST CITIZEN SIGNED UP TO SPEAK IS LEXI GARCIA.
HI, UM, MY NAME IS LEXI GARCIA.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT EIGHT, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST, UM, UH, FLOAT IN MULTIMILLION DOLLAR PUBLIC SAFETY BUDGET AND HOPE THAT IT'LL GUIDE EVERYONE ON THIS COMMISSION TO REALIZE, UM, WHAT YOUR TRUE ROLE CAN BE.
UM, RIGHT NOW IN THIS LAST LISTENING SESSION AND, AND GOING FORWARD IN IN BUDGET, UH, GOAL SETTING MEETING.
UM, AND I WANNA CON TRY TO CONVINCE THE COMMISSION TO GENUINELY REIMAGINE, UM, WHAT SAFETY AND PROTECTION CAN LOOK LIKE BY DIVESTING THE POLICE BUDGET INTO AREAS THAT ARE MORE FIT TO SOLVE OUR ISSUES.
AND LASTLY, ASK, UM, THAT ONE OF YOUR FIRST STEPS TOWARD, YOU KNOW, BETTER TRANSPARENCY, BE A LINE ITEM BUDGET DETAILING IN SPECIFIC CATEGORIES, THE CAUSE AND THE EXPENDITURES THAT WE ALLOCATE TO, TO THE SYSTEM.
UM, SO, UH, OUR, OUR CITY BUDGET HAS MADE A LOT OF OUR PRIOR, ALL OF OUR PRIORITIES CLEAR THAT POLICING ALWAYS COMES OVER THE HEALTH, WELLBEING, LIVES OF OUR, OF OUR PEOPLE, AND WE POUR MONEY INTO POLICING.
WHETHER IT'S IT'S MORE MEANINGLESS TRAINING OR MORE COPS IN SCHOOLS, WE MUST STOP INVESTING IN A SYSTEM THAT HAS ALWAYS MEANT TARGETING POOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, IMPOSING EVER MORE PUNITIVE AND, AND STRUCTURAL DISADVANTAGES.
AND THIS MEANS THAT EVERYONE ON THIS COMMISSION HAS TO TAKE WHAT THEY HEAR, UM, AND, UH, AND FIGHT FOR CUTS, CUTS THAT ARE MUCH LARGER THAN LESS THAN 1%.
UM, OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS HAVE TO PURCHASE THEIR OWN SCHOOL SUPPLIES IN A LOT OF, IN A LOT OF SCHOOLS, UH, WORKERS BOTH PRE PANDEMIC AND NOW CHOOSE BETWEEN A PAYCHECK AND THEIR HEALTHCARE AND THEIR HEALTH BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE PAID SICK TIME.
BUT, UM, I DON'T THINK A MEMBER OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS EVER HAD TO PURCHASE THEIR OWN SUPPLIES, NOR HAVE THEY, UM, EVER HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THEIR PAYCHECK OR THEIR HEALTH.
[00:05:01]
UM, CERTAINLY NOT BECAUSE THEY HAVE PAID SICK TIME.AND MOREOVER, THEY HAVE PAID TIME OFF EVEN AFTER COMMITTING HATE CRIMES, VIOLENT ASSAULT AND MURDER.
THEY HAVE PAID TIME OFF AND OR THEY GET THEIR JOBS BACK.
UM, HOW COULD THIS POSSIBLY LEAD TO COMPASSIONATE POLICE FORCE? IT HASN'T YET, AND IT NEVER WILL.
ALL SAN ANTONIO POLICE OFFICERS WORK UNDER THE SAME SYSTEM THAT'S INDEFENSIBLE, THAT HAS NEVER BELIEVED THAT BLACK LIVES MATTER.
SO ALL SAN ANTONIO POLICE OFFICERS ARE INDEFENSIBLE AND CANNOT BE RETRAINED INTO ACTUALLY KNOWING THAT BLACK LIVES MATTER.
OKAY, NEXT WE HAVE CHRISTOPHER CUNNINGHAM.
UH, THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
UM, I FIRST MOVED TO SAN ANTONIO 17 YEARS AGO.
I'M RAISING MY THREE CHILDREN HERE.
I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK OUR CITY LEADERS DO TO IMPROVE AND SECURE OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS JANUARY, OUR CITY HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO RENEGOTIATE THE CONTRACT WITH OUR LOCAL POLICE UNION.
I WOULD URGE THE COMMISSION TO INSIST ON CHANGING ARTICLE 29, SECTION TWO, SUBSECTION C OF THE CURRENT CONTRACT.
DURING THESE NEGOTIATIONS, THIS SUBSECTION GUARANTEES OFFICERS A FORMAL 48 HOUR WAITING PERIOD BEFORE BEING ASKED QUESTIONS IN A MISCONDUCT INVESTIGATION.
THIS IS A PRIVILEGE THAT IS NOT GUARANTEED TO ANY OTHER SAN ANTONIO CITIZEN, NO MATTER HOW PHYSICALLY OR LEGALLY DANGEROUS THEIR PROFESSION IS.
KEVIN KEENAN, WHO HELPED WITH REFORMS LEADING TO PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND, ARGUES THAT DELAYS OF THIS TYPE PREVENT EVEN APPROPRIATE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.
FURTHER RESEARCH FROM BOSTON UNIVERSITY, DUKE UNIVERSITY AND OXFORD UNIVERSITY SHOW THAT THESE FORMAL WAITING PERIODS ARE CONNECTED TO INCREASED POLICE VIOLENCE.
I'VE LISTENED THESE PAST WEEKS AS POLICE OFFICERS HAVE SPOKEN IN PAIN ABOUT THE TIMES THEY'VE NEEDED TO USE VIOLENCE, ABOUT THE FEAR AND GRIEF LIKE THESE GOOD MEN AND WOMEN.
I WANT TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IN OUR CITY.
HERE IS A SIMPLE ACTIONABLE SINGLE SUBSECTION CHANGE WE CAN MAKE THAT HAS A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF SAVING THESE OFFICERS FROM THE VERY VIOLENCE THEY ABRE.
I WANT TO THANK CHIEF MCMANUS FOR THE NATION LEADING WORK THEY'VE DONE IN MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.
WE HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE THE EFFORTS OF MAKING OUR CITY'S OFFICERS THE BEST THEY CAN BE.
I ENCOURAGE THE COMMISSION TO ENSURE THAT IMPOSED INVESTIGATION WAITING PERIODS BE REMOVED FROM NEXT YEAR'S CONTRACT WITH THE POLICE UNION.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
UM, I DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT TO SAY.
I JUST FEEL LIKE, UM, AS FAR AS OFFICERS ARE DISCIPLINED, UM, I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE NO ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE TO WHERE THEY'RE GETTING PAID.
I BELIEVE THAT IF THEY HAVE DONE SOMETHING, COMMITTED A CRIME BEATING, KILLING WHATEVER THEY'RE PUT ON DESK DUTY, THEN THEY SHOULDN'T BE ON DESK DUTY.
THEY SHOULD BE AT HOME AWAITING THE DECISION OF THE POLICE CHIEF OR THE UNION.
THEY SHOULD GET THEIR JOBS BACK IF THEY'VE COMMITTED MAJOR CRIMES AGAINST THE COMMUNITY AS FAR AS BEATING KILLINGS AND MURDER OR TRYING TO, UM, YOU KNOW, JUST A RECENT FEED, A HOMELESS PERSON, SOME FECES THAT SHOULD NOT BE, THEY SHOULD NOT EVEN BE CONSIDERED OF GETTING THEIR JOBS BACK.
UM, BASICALLY THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
I'M A DUES PAYING MEMBER OF THE I B W LOCAL 60 FROM DISTRICT SEVEN.
AND I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT.
I'M HERE TO ASK THAT WE REINVEST OUR FUNDS IN THE COMMUNITY PROJECT.
WE LIVE IN A STATE THAT IS PLAGUED BY INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE UNINSURED BY ECONOMIC, UH, INSTABILITY, HIGH RATES OF HOMELESSNESS AND POLICE BRUTALITY.
WE HAVE SYSTEMIC RACISM SEEKING THROUGH EVERY SYSTEM OF OUR GOVERNMENT.
WE'RE COMING TO YOU OVER AND OVER IN THESE PUBLIC FORUMS. DEMAND OUR VOICE TO BE HEARD AND SIMPLE.
LISTEN TO US DIVEST FROM FROM S A P D AND REINVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY.
MANY PEOPLE STILL ATTEMPT TO JUSTIFY FUNDING POLICE BY CLAIMING THAT POLICE UPHOLD PUBLIC SAFETY.
IN REALITY, PUBLIC SAFETY MEANS SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TO OUR COMMUNITY.
PUBLIC SAFETY MAY MEAN MANY DIFFERENT THINGS SUCH AS FREE HEALTHCARE, FOOD SECURITY, PUBLIC HOUSING, FREE EDUCATION, ART OF EVERY VARIETY, LIBRARIES, ECONOMIC STABILITY AND OPPORTUNITY PARKS AND GREEN
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SPACES, SAFETY FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING VIOLENCE OR HOMELESSNESS AND MUCH, MUCH MORE.I'M ASKING THAT YOU LISTEN TO US.
I'M ASKING YOU TO CONSIDER YOUR COMMUNITY OVER YOUR CANCEL CAMPAIGN.
I'M ASKING YOU TO CONSIDER THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE SUFFERING FROM TWO PANDEMICS, SYSTEMIC RACISM AND COVID 19, BOTH OF WHICH ARE DECIMATED COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
I'M AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF THE RIGHT TO JUSTICE CAMPAIGN AT TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT AND A LEADER IN I CAN THE INTERFACE COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK.
AND I BELIEVE THAT IN ORDER TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY OR CREATE A MORE SAFE PUBLIC, WE REALLY NEED TO SEPARATE OR REVAMP OUR REVIEW OF OFFICERS DISCIPLINARY INFRACTIONS.
CURRENTLY, THE WAY THE CITY REVIEWS OFFICER MISCONDUCT OR COMPLAINTS IS THROUGH A JOINT REVIEW BOARD WITH CITIZENS AND OFFICERS.
I BELIEVE IF WE REALLY WANT TO HOLD POLICE ACCOUNTABLE AND ENSURE THAT THEY'RE WORKING ON BEHALF OF AND IN SUPPORT WITH THE COMMUNITY, WE NEED A INDEPENDENT SEPARATE FROM THE POLICE CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD OF OFFICER CONDUCT.
A SEPARATE REVIEW BOARD WOULD ENSURE THAT THE PROCESS IS FAIR.
IT WOULD, IT WOULD TAKE AWAY THE RESPONSIBILITY FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS IN CONTRACT WITH THE UNION AND WITH THE CITY.
AND IT WOULD ALLEVIATE THAT RESPONSIBILITY FROM THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
AND THE, UM, NOT, NOT THE BRASS.
YEAH, THE BRASS OF S P S A P D.
SO IF WE REALLY WANT POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY AND IF WE REALLY, REALLY WANT TO HOLD OFFICERS ACCOUNTABLE, WE ARE HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE TO THE INDIVIDUALS THAT THEY ARE SERVING AND PROTECTING OR SUPPOSED TO BE SERVING AND PROTECTING THROUGH THIS INDEPENDENT REVIEW BOARD, THIS CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD OF OFFICER MISCONDUCT.
BEAR WITH US JUST A MOMENT, PLEASE.
WE'RE HAVING A LITTLE TROUBLE GETTING, UM, MS. BE ON THE PHONE IF, UH, YOU'LL BEAR WITH US.
WE'RE GONNA MOVE FORWARD WITH JOSH AVILA.
UM, SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE RELIABLE REVOLUTIONARIES, UM, WE ARE, UM, WE ARE ONE OF THE GROUPS OUT THERE, YOU KNOW, UM, UM, MARCHING.
UM, AND, AND SPEAKING OF ABOUT, UM, PUBLIC SAFETY.
AND I WAS WONDERING, AS A STUDENT OF SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE, UM, FROM A STUDENT'S PERSPECTIVE, IS THERE A WAY WE CAN, WE CAN, UM, YOU KNOW, CONTINUE, UM, CONVERSATIONS WITH, WITH THE CITY AND THE POLICE, UM, REGARDING, UM, YOU KNOW, 'CAUSE WE'RE, WE'RE BUILDING A WEBSITE AND WE WANNA BE ABLE TO HAVE,
[00:15:01]
UM, YOU KNOW, UM, HELP THE COMMUNITY, UM, WITH THE WEBSITE AND IS THERE LIKE A WAY WE CAN, WE CAN TALK TO YOU GUYS ON HOW TO DESIGN.WE, WE WOULD LIKE TO DESIGN THE WEBSITE, UH, BASED ON COMMUNITY NEEDS AND ALSO CITY NEEDS AND, AND, AND POLICE NEEDS.
SO IS THERE ANY WAY WE CAN CONNECT WITH YOU GUYS TO, TO HELP, UM, THE COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY, NOT ONLY WITH POLICING, BUT WITH, WITH WITH HEALTH, YOU KNOW, AS FAR AS COVID AND, AND BE ABLE TO LEARN TOGETHER.
AND I, I WANNA, I WANNA ALSO THANK, UH, MAYOR, UH, RON, RON AND, UM, UM, THE POLICE CHIEF, UM, UH, FOR, FOR, FOR GIVING US, UM, YOU KNOW, SOME TIME TO TALK TO THEM.
AND, UM, I, I'M HERE TO HELP AND, AND, UM, THANKS SAN ANTONIO LEADERSHIP FOR, FOR AT LEAST LISTENING AND, AND HELPING OUT IN WHATEVER WAY THEY CAN.
MR. LEY, DID YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? YOU STILL HAVE? UM, NO.
WELL, WELL, UM, JUST, UM, UM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND, AND, AND, AND HELP US, HELP US, UH, UNITE SAN ANTONIO AND, UM, AND, UH, THE RELIABLE REVOLUTIONARIES IS IS HERE TO, TO HELP.
AND, AND WE DON'T TRADITIONALLY DON'T ANSWER QUESTIONS, BUT I, I FEEL, UM, I WANNA ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.
UM, WHAT WE DO AS THE CHAIR OF PUBLIC SAFETY, I DO COMMIT TO CONTINUING TO MEET WITH, UH, WITH YOU AND, UM, SPECIFICALLY THAT YOUR GROUP, I, I THINK WE HAVE A MEETING SET UP THIS NEXT WEEK, BUT, UM, BUT YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME TO COME TO PUBLIC SAFETY MEETINGS, UH, FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
WE'LL BE DOING THEM, UH, ONLINE.
SO OF COURSE, I'D, I'D LIKE FOR YOU GUYS TO ATTEND, EVEN IF IT'S VIRTUALLY, UH, AND THEN TO GO FOR EVERYBODY AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING.
THANK YOU, MR. I APPRECIATE YOU, MA'AM.
UH, GOOD MORNING COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M A SOCIAL WORKER FROM DISTRICT ONE, AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT.
I LISTEN TO THE SESSION ON THURSDAY WITH POLICE DISCUSSING MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATIONS.
AND WERE DEEPLY CONCERNED YOU INDICATE A CONCERN FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING FOR OFFICERS, YET THE WEBSITE, UH, FOR S A P D CLEARLY TARGETS RECRUITMENT FOR VETERANS AND EVEN OFFERS FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FROM FOR PRIOR MILITARY.
MANY OF THESE VETERANS ARE SUFFERING FROM T B I AND P T S D.
WHILE IT STATES, UM, ON ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS THAT PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS MUST BE CONDUCTED, IT'S CLEAR THAT WHOMEVER ARE IS OFFERING THE EVALUATIONS ARE PASSING OFFICERS THROUGH WITHOUT THOROUGH INVESTIGATIONS INTO BACKGROUND.
ADDITIONALLY, POTENTIAL CADETS HAVE THE ABILITY TO APPEAL THESE EVALUATIONS, AND IT'S STILL UNCLEAR IF, UM, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ABLE TO INVESTIGATE THE LEVELS OF P T S D AND T B I, WHICH MAY HEAVILY IMPACT AN OFFICER'S ABILITY TO FUNCTION.
ADDITIONALLY, BACKGROUND CHECKS OFFER MAYBE ONE QUESTION CONCERNING BIAS.
RACISM IS NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE CURED WITH AN S S R I OR OTHER MEDICATION.
RACISM SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED IN ANY INSTITUTION YET IT APPEARS TO FLOURISH WITHIN S A P D.
UM, THE S A P D ROUTINELY REINSTATES OFFICERS, THE TARGET BLACK AND BROWN SAN ANTONIO INDUSTRIES, AND MAY EVEN RECEIVE RAISES.
RACISM IS WHY, UH, FUNDS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE DIVESTED AND REINVESTED IN OTHER AREAS THAT THE COMMUNITY SHOULD SIDE ON.
WE'VE TRIED REFORMS OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
MANY PEOPLE CONTINUE TO JUSTIFY FUNDING THE POLICE BY CLAIMING THE POLICE UPHOLD PUBLIC SAFETY.
IN REALITY, PUBLIC SAFETY MEANS SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
PUBLIC SAFETY, UM, MAY MEAN FREE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL FOOD SECURITY, SAFETY FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING VIOLENCE OR HOMELESSNESS, FREE MENTAL HEALTHCARE, PUBLIC HOUSING, FREE EDUCATION, ECONOMIC STABILITY, AND MUCH MORE.
LET'S REINVEST IN OUR COMMUNITIES WITH COMMUNITY INPUT AND ENVISION A SOCIETY THAT SERVES EVERYONE WHERE WE CAN ALL LIVE SAFELY WITH DIGNITY.
UM, AND I WANT TO SAY THAT TO SIMPLY SUGGEST MORE RULES AND REFORMS IN RESPONSE TO POLICE FORCE THAT HAS A DISREGARD FOR THE RULES AND FACES, LITTLE TO NO CONSEQUENCES FOR BREAKING THEM AS INSULTING TO SANTON AND ESPECIALLY TO THE FAMILIES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES TO S A P D LIKE MARQUIS JONES AND CHARLES ROUNDTREE ANYMORE.
AND WE WON'T SETTLE FOR HALF MEASURES.
WE DEMAND AN ITEMIZED AND TRANSPARENT POLICE BUDGET AND THE SIGNIFICANT REALLOCATION OF FUNDS AWAY FROM S A P D AND TOWARD COMMUNITY LED NON-POLICE RESOURCES TO LEAVE CLOSE TO HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN OUR BUDGET TIED UP, SORRY.
UM, CLOSE TO $500 MILLION IN OUR BUDGET TIED UP IN SS A P D IN THE MIDDLE OF A HEALTH CRISIS.
AND IN A CITY WHERE MANY DON'T HAVE A HOME IS DESPICABLE DEFUND SS A P.
UM, MY NAME IS JOSEFINA AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT A AND A STUDENT AT U T S A.
I'M CALLING AS YOU AS ELECTIVE REPRESENTATIVES OF SAN ANTONIO.
[00:20:01]
IN THIS STUDY, AND THAT STARTS WITH REOPENING THE CASES OF CHARLES ROUNDTREE, NORMAN SCOTT, MARQUIS JONES, AND ANDREW SCOTT, AND MANY, MANY MORE.UM, ALL WHO ARE KILLED BY YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT YOU'VE BEEN FUNDING WITH $479 MILLION.
UH, WE MUST STOP INVESTING IN POLICE AND INCARCERATION AND INSTEAD INVEST IN ALTERNATIVE MODELS THAT ARE CENTERED IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IN ADDITION TO MAKING GREATER INVESTMENT IN SCHOOLS, HEALTHCARE, HOUSING, UM, AND OTHER HUMAN NEEDS THAT OUR COMMUNITY THAT KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE, WE ALSO NEED TO DISARM THE POLICE POLICING WITH ESTABLISHED TO PROTECT WHITE SUPREMACY.
AND BY PUTTING THEM IN VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, UM, BY ESPECIALLY BY PUTTING THESE DANGEROUS POLICE OFFICERS WITH THE MOST ECONOMICALLY SEGREGATED CITY IN THE NATION, YOU'RE PURPOSELY TERRORIZING THOSE COMMUNITIES.
THIS IS ALSO SEEN THROUGH THE FACT THAT 70% OF FIRE POLICE OFFICERS IN SAN ANTONIO ARE REINSTATED BECAUSE OF THE CONTRACT.
YOU SAY, YOU SAY YOU CARE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY, BUT THAT ISN'T SHOWN ANYWHERE IN THE CITY.
YOU'VE PUT LAW ENFORCEMENT ABOVE OUR LIVES AND THAT NEEDS TO STOP.
YOU NEED TO PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS AND TAKE CARE AND PROTECT THE BROWN AND BLACK PEOPLE THAT YOU REPRESENT.
OKAY, THAT'S IT FOR OUR, UM, LIVE SPEAKERS.
UM, MADAM CLERK, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE READ, UH, WRITTEN COMMENT.
WE RECEIVED A COMMENT FROM JANET BURNS, DISTRICT NINE.
SHE WRITES THAT SHE'S APPALLED AT WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE HANDS OF OUR POLICE OFFICERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT OUR CITY'S TAKING STEPS TO REMEDIATE ISSUES.
AT ONE POINT, I'VE HEARD LITTLE TO NO DISCUSSION ABOUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE POLICE VIOLENCE THAT'S OCCURRING AT THE HANDS OF WHITE MALE OFFICERS.
IN FACT, I HAVEN'T HEARD OF A SINGLE INSTANCE OF A FEMALE OFFICER PERPETRATING EXCESSIVE FORCE OR MURDERING A CITIZEN.
I'D LIKE TO SEE MORE FEMALE OFFICERS HIRED AND PROMOTED INTO LEADERSHIP.
WE HEAR SUGGESTIONS IN MANY AREAS FOR RACIAL AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY.
THAT AND THE ORGANIZATION OF LEADERSHIP AND AUTHORITY SHOULD RE RESEMBLE THE RACIAL AND ETHNIC MAKEUP OF THE POPULATION.
THOSE ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD ALSO RESEMBLE THE GENDER BALANCE OF THE POPULATION.
OUR NEXT COMMENT IS FROM CHELSEA GOSWICK.
I FULLY SUPPORT THE BLUE AND ALL FUNDING THAT GOES TOWARDS S A P D AND ALL PUBLIC SAFETY MEASURES.
WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND THAT INCLUDES PROVIDING ALL NECESSARY FUNDING.
OUR NEXT COMMENT IS FROM LAUREN TORRES.
ON BEHALF OF OUR S A P D OFFICERS, I ASK YOU TO PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM.
OUR OFFICERS ARE SOME OF THE FINEST, MOST DISCIPLINED AND COMMITTED, AND THEY DESERVE TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.
THEY SERVE AND ARE COMMITTED TO THEIR DUTY TO PROTECTING ALL THOSE IN NEED.
I SUPPORT OUR S A P D OFFICERS AND I'M THANKFUL FOR THEIR SERVICE HAS ME, NEIL, OF DISTRICT 10 RIGHTS.
I WANT OUR POLICE FORCE MEMBER TO REMAIN THE SAME AND OR INCREASE.
I ALSO WANT CHANGES MADE SO THAT OFFICERS DO NOT FOLLOW THE POLICIES AND CODE OF ETHICS WITH THE, THE 5% THAT MAKE THE 95% LOOK BAD, HAVE NO PLACE IN A HIGH STRESS, DANGEROUS JOB.
EDUCATION AND MILITARY HAVE CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT THAT ARE FOLLOWED.
RACHEL WALKER WRITES, I ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND WOULD BE HORRIFIED IF THEY WERE DEFUNDED.
OUR NEXT COMMENT IS FROM APRIL DUBAL OF DISTRICT 10.
CHAPTER 1 43 SETS UP UNREASONABLE STANDARDS FOR DUE PROCESS, FOR DUE PROCESS, THEN CREATES A LOOPHOLE LOOPHOLE FOR AN OFFICER TO AVOID CULPABILITY IF ANY OF THEM MIRED OF MISTAKES ARE MADE DURING THE INVESTIGATION PROCESS.
CHAPTER 1 74 SETS UP A ONE-SIDED DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS WHERE ARBITRATOR AND JUDGES ARE INSTRUCTED TO CONSIDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS AFFECTING POLICE JOBS, BUT DOES NOT REQUIRE THEM TO CONSIDER THE CITY CONCERNS REGARDING PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
AND SHE FIGHTS SECTION 1 7 4 1 5 6.
IT'S DISCUSSING THAT S A P D HAS OFFICERS ON THE FOURTH WHO HAVE FED HUMAN MAN FECES AND WATCHED WHILE ANOTHER OFFICER PULLED OUT A WOMAN WHILE SHE STOOD ON THE CURB.
COUNSEL SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR STANDING BY AND DOING NOTHING.
OUR NEXT COMMENT IS FROM ABBY FERNANDEZ.
THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACCOUNTABILITY AND FUNDING.
IN FACT, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH, THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH ONE ANOTHER.
THE FUNDING POLICE PUT LIVES AS WELL AS THE LIVES OF CITIZENS AT RISK.
HOLDING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACT ACTIONS IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
[00:25:01]
THEY HAVE PROPER TRAINING IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS SUPPORTING LEOS.IT IS ASININE FOR ANY CITY GOVERNMENT TO REDUCE FINANCIAL SUPPORT AS A MEANS TO BETTER PROTECT THE COMMUNITY.
THE CITY COUNCIL IS PROPOSING THAT WE REDUCE RESOURCES FOR POLICE THAT WE CAN BETTER SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES BY LIMITING POLICE PRESENCE THAT WOULD RESULT IN A MISTREATMENT OF CITIZENS.
OUR NEXT COMMENT IS FROM DORA MORALES, DISTRICT FIVE.
WE NEED CHANGES IN OUR SS A P D DEPARTMENT.
WE NEED TO PLEDGE TO SIGN A PETITION TO REVEAL CHAPTERS 1 43 AND 1 74 OF THE STATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
OUR CITIZENS ARE AWARE OF THE OFFICERS BEING FIRED BY POLICE CHIEF AND REHIRED.
AGAIN, WE NEED TO STOP THESE TYPES OF ACTIONS THAT AFFECT, IN EFFECT IN UPRIGHT POLICE OFFICERS AND DEGRADE OUR STRONG FORCE.
WE AS CITIZENS WILL VOTE FOR THESE CHANGES AND OUR CITY COUNCIL NEEDS TO STEP UP.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE CITY OF CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY, DISBANDED POLICE DEPARTMENT SEVEN YEARS AGO.
CAMDEN WAS ROUTINELY NAMED ONE OF THE MOST VIOLENT CITIES IN THE NATION.
AND SHE CITES A C N N WEBSITE.
BENJAMIN NEIL, DISTRICT TWO WRITE TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY IN SAN ANTONIO, POLICE OFFICERS NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL MUST FIGHT TO SIGN A PETITION TO REPEAL CHAPTERS 1 43 AND 1 74 OF THE STATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE.
THEY ALSO MUST PRIORITIZE DISCIPLINE REVIEW IN A NEW CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS NEXT YEAR.
THE LAST COMMENT I HAVE IS FROM ZOE RUSSELL, DISTRICT ONE.
I'M A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER AND I TAKE APPOINTED MISDEMEANOR CASES.
I HAVE DEALT WITH A LOT OF CLIENTS AFFECTED BY MENTAL HEALTH IN MY SHORT TIME.
IN THIS JOB, WE NEED TO HAVE A DIFFERENT WAY OF DEALING WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS OTHER THAN THROWING THEM IN JAIL FOR SOMETHING THEY DIDN'T EVEN UNDERSTAND.
WE DO NOT NEED POLICE FOR THESE.
IN ONE CASE, I HAVE FIVE TO SIX.
IN ONE CASE, I HAVE FIVE TO SIX OFFICERS CAME TO THE SCENE FOR A CRIMINAL TRESPASS.
THAT'S WHAT I THINK ABOUT WHEN I HEAR POLICE DEMANDING GREATER AND GREATER SHARES OF THE BUDGET.
WE ALSO NEED TO CHANGE THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT.
I JUST WANNA TAKE A NOTE TO WE, TO NOTICE THAT WE HAD AN AGENDA ITEM ORIGINALLY, BUT I WANTED TO GIVE MAXIMUM TIME TO OUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
SO WE'LL DEFER THAT ITEM TO ANOTHER, UH, ANOTHER, UH, MEETING.
AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO STEPPED UP TO SPEAK TODAY AND REALLY ALL WEEK.
WE'VE HAD A, A GREAT RESPONSE, UM, BOTH LAST MONDAY AND THEN, UH, ON THURSDAY WE HAD A A, AN IN-PERSON EVENT AND I REALLY WANTED TO GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT.
I THINK MY COLLEAGUES WILL AGREE THAT WE REALLY WANT TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY.
AND SO IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE NEED TO HEAR FROM THE COMMUNITY.
SO I'M GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THOSE THAT YOU, THAT YOU THAT SHOWED UP OR SIGNED UP OR CALLED IN OR WROTE IN.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE ALL YOUR COMMENTS AND WE WILL USE THEM AS WE GO FORWARD, UM, IN REVIEWING AND REVISING OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PROTOCOLS WITH NO OTHER BUSINESSES.
UH, THIS TIME, UH, THE TIME IS 12:05 PM AND THE MEETING IS NOW ADJOURNED.
MADAM CHAIR, THIS IS COUNCILMAN VIAGRA.
CAN I JUST MAKE ONE ANNOUNCEMENT TO SAY THAT PEOPLE STILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, PEOPLE STILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE COMMENT DURING THE VIRTUAL BUDGET TOWN HALL MEETINGS THAT ARE STILL TAKING PLACE AS WELL.
UM, AND WITH THAT, THE MEETING IS NOW ADJOURNED.