JUSTICE & COURAGE PROJECT
OVERSIGHT PANEL MEETING
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
9:00 am
City Hall, Room 408
San Francisco, CA 94102
Minutes
Members Present:
Kathy Black, La Casa de las Madres
Dorka Keehn, Commission on the Status of Women
Ken Theisen, Bay Area Legal Aid
Beverly Upton, Domestic Violence Consortium
Carol Sacco, Department on the Status of Women (staff)
Members Absent:
Mary Cavanaugh, U.C. Berkeley (excused)
Emily Murase, PhD, Department on the Status of Women (excused)
Juana Flores, Mujeres Unidas y Activas
Allyson Hauck (excused)
Antonio Ramirez, POCOVI
I. CALL TO ORDER/AGENDA CHANGES
The meeting was called to order by Dorka Keehn at 9:10 am. There were no agenda changes.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes from the December 3, 2008 meeting were approved. (Theisen/Keehn/All)
III. BUSINESS
A. Governance Committee
Beverly Upton reported that the Governance Committee is in the process of arranging interviews with the two candidates identified in December as potential members of the Oversight Panel. Ms. Upton will contact the candidates and work with Carol Sacco to arrange interviews. If approved by the Governance Committee, the candidates will be invited to attend the April 1, 2009 Justice and Courage Oversight Panel meeting as non-voting members, where the full Justice and Courage Oversight Panel will vote to forward a recommendation for membership to the Commission on the Status of Women. The Commission will vote on the membership recommendation at the April 22, 2009 Commission meeting.
Commissioner Dorka Keehn announced that due to attendance, Juana Flores is no longer a member of the Justice and Courage Oversight Panel.
B. Audit Implementation Committee
Ken Theisen reported that the Audit Implementation Committee made a commitment to identify necessary resources when reviewing/updating the audit implementation matrix. Kathy Black added that resources may include staffing as the many organizations faced with reductions, have a variety of responses to meet the cut requirements. Mr. Theisen requested that the Oversight Panel discuss reinstatement of the Resources Committee at the April meeting.
Panel members expressed concern that any reductions in funding/staffing at the department level, as well as for community-based organizations, not be used as a reason for departments to not make progress on the recommendations. Rather, any funding/staff reductions may require an adjustment to the time-line in order to meet the goals/recommendations.
Language Line Services Update – Mr. Theisen reported that the Police Department is currently using the cell phones and the services provided through the Language Line, but expressed concern that services continue uninterrupted. Lt. Molly Pengel stated that the (donated) cell phones are an added benefit to officers. She further clarified that officers in the street can use any cell phone or even a land-line to access the services. Lt. Pengel stated that Patrol Officers are utilizing the Language Line, but Inspectors face challenges as they cannot use cell phones in the jails or in interview rooms. Commissioner Keehn requested that a meeting be set up with the Office of Language Services, Tomas Lee and Sherriff Hennessey to discuss language interpretation in the jails. Kathy Black added that there is some transition within the Office of Language Services as they have recently been consolidated. Ms. Upton stated that the Task Force on Language Access is active and she will contact them for an update.
Mr. Theisen reported that the Audit Implementation Committee still needs to find a representative of the Courts to participate. Commissioner Keehn requested that a meeting be set-up with Presiding Judge McBryde and members of the Oversight Panel.
Commissioner Keehn asked for an update on the flagging of language needs. Mr. Theisen responded that it has not been resolved and departments are working on identifying language needs internally. Commissioner Keehn thought the understanding was that identifying language needs is an important part of the JUSTIS system and that the collection of statistics was vital. Commissioner Keehn requested that JUSTIS have a place to indicate language needs within the system and that this issue be brought up at the next JUSTIS meeting.
Commissioner Keehn asked for an update on the staffing of the Domestic Violence Response Unit (DVRU) at the Police Department. Lt. Molly Pengel responded that they are still at 16 staff – 14 Domestic Violence Officers, 1 Elder Abuse Assigning Officer, and 1 Domestic Violence Assigning Officer.
Tina Gilbert of the Adult Probation Department reported that they have 9 Officers and 2 Supervisors, but will lose 1 staff member at the end of the month due to retirement. The Department is looking at alternative means of resources.
Commissioner Keehn introduced Captain John Ehrlich, the new Captain of the Juvenile and Family Services Division. Captain Ehrlich has been a Captain with the San Francisco Police Department for the past 12 years and has worked in numerous capacities. He thanked the Oversight Panel for the work it is doing and is looking forward to working with the Panel.
The next meeting of the Audit Implementation Committee is Friday, February 13, 2009, Bay Area Legal Aid, 50 Fell Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.
C. Batterer Accountability Committee Commissioner Keehn stated that Dr. Mary Cavanaugh is out of the country but will have a full report at the April meeting. Commissioner Keehn further stated that Dr. Cavanaugh has expressed an interest in speaking with the Family Violence Prevention Fund around national trends and initiatives in batterer accountability. Commissioner Keehn recommended that the Panel set up a meeting with the Adult Probation Department, review the work around their 2 committees already in existence, and evaluate if there is a fit between their efforts and the Oversight Panel.
Ms. Upton responded that it is unfortunate to see the BAC has not been active, but the Oversight Panel and the Department on the Status of Women have a presence at BIPCAC meetings. She stated that the February meeting was cancelled. Committee members discussed the benefits of Batterer Accountability Programs and questioned the success of participants. Ms. Upton cited a recent study that shows Court involvement and stiff penalties set participants up for success. She cautioned, with the current budget crisis, and the slated defunding of community programs providing these services, we may see an increase in domestic violence and sexual assault offenders without necessary services. Ms. Black responded that this issue has been brought up at the Administrative Office of the Courts, and there has been discussion of batterer accountability programs as a vital service, and as such they cannot be completely eliminated. Ms. Gilbert added that the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Units of Adult Probation have met internally and expressed concern about domestic violence and sexual assault offenders. They are also working to address the concerns of the community.
Commissioner Keen asked if it was the pleasure of the Oversight Panel to stop the work of the Batterer Accountability Committee. Ms. Upton would like to keep the Batterer Accountability Committee on the agenda.
No public comment.
IV. REPORTS
A. JUSTIS
Commissioner Keehn requested that the minutes from the January 22, 2009 JUSTIS meeting be emailed to Committee Members. Ms. Upton reported that Judge Kevin Ryan, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, expressed the City’s commitment to the JUSTIS system and information technology. Ms. Upton stated that the Sherriff’s Department has loaded case information for current residents (of the County Jail) into the system, but that it requires a large amount of staff time. [The Sheriff’s system is going live on the JUSTIS system in March, the first step towards JUSTIS operations.] The Police Department has an open position and is recruiting for an Information Technology staff person to assist with the project. Captain Ehrlich stated that the background clearance and vetting process for the Police Department position are extensive, as they deal with confidential information and he is not certain when the position will be filled. Ms. Upton stated that she will raise the issue of the language field to the JUSTIS Committee. It would make the most sense to include a check-box for language access in the JUSTIS reporting format at the front end and have departments collect and report the data rather than try and add it later.
B. Family Violence Council
The Family Violence Council held its meeting on January 15, 2009. Beverly Upton reported that the Council is reviewing protocols around how to store, preserve and present digital photos. She added that Dr. Leigh Kimberg presented her finding to the Council and found that many non-profits, law enforcement and prosecution agencies have no policies around the collection and presentation of digital documentation. Dr. Kimberg is working to present a training in San Francisco on this issue in the spring and is looking for a meeting space and/or resources.
Beverly Upton acknowledged Laura Marshall as a valuable resource to the Family Violence Council and stated that Ms. Marshall has drafted a Report on Family Violence. Ms. Upton stated that this report will have a story to share and will give voice to victims of family violence. Ms. Upton asked that she and Ms. Marshall present the report at the April Oversight Panel meeting. Ms. Marshall stated that it was a challenge to gather the data, but she is hopeful that additional information will be forthcoming from the Courts and the Department of Public Health. The presentation will be placed on the April agenda.
The next meeting of the Family Violence Council is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2009 from 3:00 - 4:30 pm at the San Francisco Superior Court, location is 400 McAllister (at Polk), Room 617.
C. Stalking Task Force
There was no report on the Stalking Task Force. Ms. Upton and Ms. Black stated that they both plan to attend future Stalking Task Force meetings and will report at the next Oversight Panel meeting. Marc Gillory, Office of District Attorney is the chair of the Stalking Task Force.
D. Domestic Violence Cases/Trials
Ms. Upton reported that they are monitoring three cases. DeEbony Smith was arrested New Year’s Eve for involuntary homicide. There is a motion to set a trial date on Friday, February 6, 2009. The community is watching this case to see how a person with previous restraining orders moves through the system. This case has received a lot of media coverage.
Scott McAlpin was convicted of first degree murder of Anastacia Melintchenko and will be sentenced on February 9, 2009.
The Ciera Davis and Frank Green case goes back to October 2006. It will be assigned to a courtroom on February 23, 2009.
V. NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION A. Funding Update Commissioner Keehn announced that the Department has been deeply impacted by the current budget situation, as the Department is heavily supported by General Funds. She stated that the Department is working to identify alternative sources of funding. B. Meetings with City Department Heads Commissioner Keehn reported that the Department is in the process of meeting with other City departments to discuss efficiency strategies. C. 2009 Meeting Schedule Commissioner Keehn requested that Oversight Panel hold only one community meeting this year, rather than the two community meetings as decided in December. She proposed an October community meeting. The Panel agreed and requested that the community meeting be held in the Sunset neighborhood. Commissioner Keehn also reminded Panel members that the annual planning meeting in August will be held in the community. Commissioner Keehn requested assistance from the Panel members to identify a location and meeting space for both the planning meeting and the community meeting. Unfortunately, the conference space used last year is no longer available. Panel members expressed the importance of keeping the community involved in the work of the Oversight Panel. Ms. Black requested that the Oversight Panel recognize the work and dedication of Chief Heather Fong. Chief Fong has dedicated her career in public service to serving San Francisco and improving its communities.
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment
VII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:50 am. The next Oversight Panel meeting will be held April 1, 2009.
