SEPTEMBER 24, 2014 REGULAR MEETING
The Police Commission of the City and County of San Francisco met in the Central District, Gordon J. Lau Elementary School, 950 Clay Street, San Francisco, at 6:05 p.m.
PRESENT: Commissioners Loftus, Turman, Mazzucco, Hwang, Melara
ABSENT: Commissioners Marshall, DeJesus
(Commissioner Turman arrived at 6:10 p.m.)
Commissioner Loftus welcomed the audience, thanked Dr. Dennis Chew, Principal of Gordon J. Lau Elementary School, and thanked Elaine Toy’s 3rd grade class for the fabulous art work welcoming the Police Department and the Commission. Commissioner Loftus then asked the Commissioners to introduce themselves.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
- For the meetings of August 13th, August 27th, September 3rd, and September 10, 2014
Motion by Commissioner Melara, second by Commissioner Mazzucco. Approved 5-0.
REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. Chief’s Report
- Review of recent activities
Chief Suhr addressed the audience, especially the young people in the audience.
The Chief then gave a brief update on crime statistics and spoke of a recent incident involving the death of a pedestrian. The Chief then announced that on Saturday will be Take Back Day for prescription medications at every station in the City.
b. OCC Director’s Report
- Review of recent activities
Director Hicks addressed the audience and went on to describe the duties and responsibilities of the OCC.
c. Commission Reports
- Commission President’s Report
- Commissioners’ Reports
Commissioner Loftus thanked LPOA for hosting the Toy Drive.
Commissioner Mazzucco thanked Commander Garrity from the Airport for putting a protocol at the Airport to have an honor guard present at the return of fallen soldiers.
Commissioner Hwang reported in attending the Firearm Discharge Review Board meeting and commended the Department for the extensive review of OIS cases.
Commissioner Melara spoke of attending the Police/Fire Mass and spoke of attending the California Conference to End Domestic Violence annual meeting.
d. Commission Announcements and scheduling of items identified for consideration at future Commission meetings
None
CAPTAIN DAVID LAZAR, COMMANDING OFFICER OF CENTRAL STATION, TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION ON POLICE ACTIVITIES IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICT
Captain Lazar thanked Dr. Dennis Chew, Principal, for welcoming the Commission, and introduced 9 year old Grace Ou, 4th grader, who welcomed the Commissioners and the Chief to her school. She and her classmates then went on to present gifts to the Commissioners and the Chief.
Captain Lazar described the Central District’s demographics and spoke of police activities in the Central District.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Rita Lark, Northbeach Place Resident, discussed some concerns regarding the resident at 567 Bay Street specifically Apt. nos. 1025, 1030, 1511.
Sherry thanked Chief Suhr and commended the young people involved and went on to talk about Captain Lazar and his amazing team of officers and went on to commend the Chief and the men and women of the Department.
Troy Campbell, Fisherman Wharf District, thanked the Chief of selecting Captain Lazar to be their captain for his help with 10-B and for his availability to the community.
Malcolm Young, Deputy Director Chinatown Community Center, thanked the Commission and welcomed the new commissioners. He went on to talk about home invasions and robberies in the Chinatown community and commended Captain Lazar for his proactive approach in addressing these issues. He went on to talk about the security at Ping Yuen Housing Project.
Mike Madrid, Central Police Advisory Board, spoke of the challenge in calling the non-emergency number and asked the Commission to look into improving that system.
Mr. Fong, coordinator for senior housing, discussed concerns regarding break-ins and commended the Captain for his close relationship with the community to improve safety in Chinatown.
Ms. Ying (through an interpreter), Ping Yuen resident and President of Ping Yuen Resident Association, spoke regarding safety at Ping Yuen and asked for more foot patrol officers at Ping Yuen to assure safety of the residents.
Ed thanked all the officers on the streets and asked for support to provide cars with defibrillators.
Delong, Walgreens, thanked Captain Lazar and the CPAB members for inviting them at National Night Out.
Charlie, Chinatown CDC, spoke of concerns regarding pedestrian safety and spoke of research in regards to public safety and found that cars are going to fast in Chinatown.
May Fan, China resident, spoke to the elderly who told her about safety for the elders especially for pedestrian safety.
Judy Sprockman spoke of concerns around the neighborhood.
David Overdoft, CPAB member, spoke in regards to foot patrol in the lower Nob Hill area.
Adam Harvey, Broadway club owner, thanked Captain Lazar for his work in the Broadway corridor and for his accessibility to the club owners.
Stephanie Greenberg commended Captain Lazar and thanked Chief Suhr for sending Captain Lazar to them. She went on to talk about concerns regarding party busses and concerns regarding liquor license saturation and concerns regarding the non-emergency line.
Robert Garcia, President Save our Streets, spoke in regards to concerns about party buses and spoke of beat officers around the lower Nob Hill area and concerns regarding an upcoming mental health facility in the area.
Richard Ou, district resident and member of CPAB, spoke of homeless problem in the city and urged the Commission to solve the homeless problem in Chinatown.
Geri Koeppel, CPAB member, spoke of the homeless problem in the city and asked the Commission, the Supervisors and other city leaders to help solve the homeless problem.
Darren Swan spoke of concerns regarding homelessness in the city.
SF Safe commended Captain Lazar for all his work.
Supervisor David Chiu thanked the Commission and the Chief for coming to the neighborhood and thanked Captain Lazar for all his work. He went on to thank the members of the community for their attendance. Supervisor Chiu addressed issues of pedestrian safety and went on to thank the members of the Department for their enforcement. Supervisor Chiu also spoke of security for the Ping Yuen public housing. He also spoke on the issue of party buses, homelessness, auto break-ins and boundary lines between districts.
Supervisor Jane Kim spoke of boundary lines between the districts and spoke of an event at Sgt. McCaulley Park, pedestrian safety, Stockton and Sacramento Streets, homelessness and the need for shelter beds for homeless housing.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE CLOSED SESSION
None
VOTE ON WHETHER TO HOLD CLOSED SESSION
Motion by Commissioner Turman, second by Commissioner Melara. Approved 5-0.
CLOSED SESSION (8:20 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) and SF Administrative Code Section 67.10(b) and Penal Code Section 832.7
PERSONNEL EXCEPTION: Assignment of disciplinary charges filed in Case No. ALW IAD 2012-0061 to an individual Commissioner for the taking of evidence on a date to be determined by the Commissioner
(Present: Commissioners Loftus, Turman, Mazzucco, Hwang, Melara, Chief Suhr, Inspector Monroe, Risa Tom, Sergeant Rodriguez, Attorney Worsham, Attorney Furst, member involved)
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) and SF Administrative Code Section 67.10(b) and Penal Code Section 832.7
PERSONNEL EXCEPTION: Assignment of disciplinary charges filed in Case No. ALW IAD 2013-0216 to an individual Commissioner for the taking of evidence on a date to be determined by the Commissioner
(Present: Commissioners Loftus, Turman, Mazzucco, Hwang, Melara, Chief Suhr, Inspector Monroe, Risa Tom, Sergeant Rodriguez, Attorney Worsham, Attorney Nobles, member involved)
VOTE TO ELECT WHETHER TO DISCIOLOSE ANY OR ALL DISCUSSION HELD IN CLOSED SESSION
Motion by Commissioner Turman, second by Commissioner Mazzucco for non disclosure. Approved 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Commissioner Mazzucco, second by Commissioner Melara. Approved 5-0.
Thereafter, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
p.m.
__________________________________________
Inspector John Monroe
Secretary
San Francisco Police Commission
1345/rct
