Thread by @IndivisibleSF

TODAY at 2pm: The #SFRulesCom will discuss and hear public comment on a potential ballot measure to amend the City Charter to repeal the arbitrary minimum of 1,971 full-duty sworn officers.

Agenda: sfbos.org/sites/default/…
Attachments: sfgov.legistar.com/LegislationDet…

Some background: missionlocal.org/2020/05/police…

Like yesterday, @DefundSFPDnow
has talking points to help build your comment:

https://twitter.com/DefundSFPDnow/status/1281128827456942081

#SFRulesCom

Here's the currently-proposed draft text: sfgov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&…

Legislative digest: sfgov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&…

Controller's fiscal analysis: sfgov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&…

#SFRulesCom

Interesting undated (late 1990s?) report on the Board of Supervisors website: sfbos.org/section-3-mini…

Talks about tension between the sworn officer minimum and civilianization. Many officers were doing jobs that could be civilianized if not for that 1,971 minimum. #SFRulesCom

Aha, it's part of this: sfbos.org/police-departm…

Dated May 4, 1998.

“General Fund appropriations are approximately $206.3 million, or 90.3 percent of the SFPD"s $228.5 million budget.” Roughly $359 million in 2020 money—half of the $736 million we heard about yesterday.

The City Charter requires no fewer than 1,971 full-duty sworn officers at all times.

The Board of Supervisors wants to put an initiative on the ballot to repeal that requirement: missionlocal.org/2020/05/police…

The #SFRulesCom meets today at 2pm. It's item 3: sfbos.org/sites/default/…

And we're live!

They're going to take item 3 (the staffing minimum charter amendment) last, and do the other five before it, because they expect that a lot of y'all will have comments on item 3.

Also, like yesterday, every public comment is limited to 1 minute. #SFRulesCom

Sup. Stefani wants to refer item 1 to the Budget & Finance Committee.

Stefani: Aye
Mar: Aye
Ronen: Aye

Passes unanimously. #SFRulesCom

Item 2 is: Hearing - Initiative Ordinance - Business and Tax Regulations Code - Real Property Transfer Tax Rate Increase on Transfers of Properties for at Least $10,000,000.

Initiated by Sup. Preston, but he isn't in the hearing today. #SFRulesCom

They're opening public comment on item 2.

Sounds like Sup. Preston might've just joined, too.

First caller speaks in support. #SFRulesCom

Second caller in support. “The landlords of this city have held too much power for too long.” Advocates for redistribution of funds from landlords to the people. #SFRulesCom

Another caller, this one from Senior and Disability Action, speaking in support. Highlights speculation as a source of evictions. #SFRulesCom

“Provides help for both renters and small landlords” among other features. #SFRulesCom

Another caller in support. “California has a real real-estate speculation crisis.” Says this measure would ameliorate some of the burden that renters face in this state. #SFRulesCom

So far, every caller in support.

Somebody has started juggling a microphone or something, which is making it hard to hear the last couple of callers. #SFRulesCom

Last few callers were from @afrosocialistSF, @TenantsUnionSF, and @bishop_sf. Each one in support. #SFRulesCom

Caller: “In this time of total catastrophe, now is the time to ensure we have the funds” to help the people.

Landlords “need to pay more of their fair share.” #SFRulesCom

Reminder to mute the stream when you're in the queue for public comment! It can cause feedback and/or confusion. #SFRulesCom

Here's that stream, by the way: sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.ph…

Also, when you hear “Your line has been unmuted.”: Yes, it's your turn and they can hear you. Start talking. #SFRulesCom

The parade of callers in support continues. Latest from the Tenderloin People's Congress. #SFRulesCom

The Clerk reminds the public that if you want to speak on item 2, the real estate transfer tax measure, press *3 to get into the comment queue. You'll have one minute. #SFRulesCom

Caller notes that this is a signal that speculation is not wanted, but also gives real estate speculators time to get out of doing that. #SFRulesCom

Meanwhile, we've been doing more research for #SFRulesCom item 3.

The 1,971 number came from a 1979 consent decree. The March 1998 “Phase II” report we mentioned (sfbos.org/police-departm…) talks about it in Appendix 3.

The decree was ended in Oct. 1998. sfgate.com/news/article/C…

Caller from @TheCoalitionSF emphasizes the need for housing affordability. #SFRulesCom

Caller: “Landlords are still going after their tenants and making it hard for them to live peacefully.” Talks about SoMa speculators trying to liquidate buildings. #SFRulesCom

Caller talks about disproportionate impacts of the pandemic upon Black and brown renters. #SFRulesCom

Caller asks the moderator how many people are in line. The moderator says there are five people.

The caller emphasizes that the moderator should regularly announce how many people are in line, to mirror an in-person meeting where we'd know by looking at the queue. #SFRulesCom

Caller from Senior and Disability Action and the @TenantsUnionSF talks about gentrification and displacement in Noe Valley. #SFRulesCom

Reminder that you only get one minute in public comment on each item in today's #SFRulesCom because they're expecting a lot of comments on item 3 (repealing the police staffing minimum) later.

Clerk reminds stream viewers of the call-in number: tel:[phone]##

Press *3 to get in the queue if you live in the City and haven't spoken on item 2 yet. #SFRulesCom

Caller: “Affordable housing truly isn't.” Says they're below the poverty line despite having multiple degrees. #SFRulesCom

Caller says “this is a race issue; this is a Black Lives Matter issue”. #SFRulesCom

Caller talks about the importance of “physical distance and social solidarity”.

In this case, this is social solidarity between tenants and small landlords, who both need aid, against large landlords who are hoarding wealth. #SFRulesCom

First caller against (we guess?) who talks about “Santa Claus” and suggests that Sup. Preston will lose his re-election bid this November. #SFRulesCom

Caller in support: “Housing is a health crisis.” #SFRulesCom

The queue on item 2 has run out. Chair Ronen asks Sup. Preston whether he has anything to say. #SFRulesCom

Sup. Preston talks about the Great Recession causing a boom in 2008 of investment firms buying up properties with collapsed values, speculating that their values would return after the recession.

Talks about how this caused evictions/displacement to raise rents. #SFRulesCom

Sup. Preston says Black residents lost $200 billion in wealth at that time. Says it's inextricably tied to real estate consolidation.

Says today, the same situation is setting up to happen again. Private equity firms coming in with billions of ready cash. #SFRulesCom

The real estate transfer tax would be waived when transferring properties to the City or a qualified affordable-housing nonprofit. Would save half a million for the taxpayer, incentivize those transfers compared to between investment firms. #SFRulesCom

And, of course, it would raise tax revenue for the City.

The Controller's office estimated that it would generate $196 million per year. With a downturn, it'd be $100–150 million in the short term. #SFRulesCom

Sup. Preston says this is part of a larger effort, the Fair Recovery Package.

Still to come, a bill to use some of these funds to offset up to 50% of people's rents, prioritizing small landlords. #SFRulesCom

The other half of the revenue would be put toward buying up property for the City to control and provide affordable housing on. #SFRulesCom

Sup. Ronen talking now. Says the homelessness crisis we've already had will be nothing compared to what's coming without relief. #SFRulesCom

Sup. Mar speaks. Basically recapping what Sup. Preston.

Sup. Stefani has nothing to say.

Sup. Ronen moves to file this item.

Stefani: Aye
Mar: Aye
Ronen: Aye

Item 2 is heard and filed. #SFRulesCom

Chair Ronen calls item 4 next.

(Remember they kicked item 3 to the end.)

Item 4 is a Charter amendment to create an Office of the Public Advocate, which would have an oversight role over City services and programs. #SFRulesCom

Sup. Mar wants to amend it to remove the requirement that public advocates be licensed attorneys. Notes that this requirement doesn't exist for offices and would be an obstacle to establishing the office. #SFRulesCom

Notes that there's no office dedicated to overseeing interactions with the public or fielding whistleblower complaints.

Says this would be a key part of ending corruption in City government. #SFRulesCom

Opening public comment on item 4 (Charter amendment to establish the Office of Public Advocate).

If you live in the City, call: tel:[phone]##

Press *3 to get in the queue. Each speaker gets one minute. #SFRulesCom

First caller talks about item 3. Says it's “undemocratic” to rearrange the order of the agenda. Also wants to abolish SFPD.

Chair Ronen notes that Supervisors not on the #SFRulesCom have to be here for their items, and asks the Clerk to stop other commenters going out of order.

Caller opposes item 4; says the Board and the City Attorney and the Controller's office all have subpoena power, so how will another office help?

Next caller supports it. Cites the Mohammed Nuru scandal. #SFRulesCom

Caller says corruption is a big problem, but suggests reform cannot come from within. Asks what safeguards are in place to make this not just a figurehead hand-picked by the mayor. How do we know the public advocate won't be corrupt? #SFRulesCom

Caller on behalf of @harveymilkclub talks about the “colorful history with regards to corruption in our City government” and supports this as a “bold step” to solving it. Wants “someone from outside the people who are currently making decisions”. #SFRulesCom

6 people in the queue on item 4.

(Item 3 is still to come.) #SFRulesCom

Caller: “It's not going to solve all of our problems, but it is one positive one step in the right direction.” Says it “would help restore public trust” and “help elevate the conversation about what additional changes need to be made.” #SFRulesCom

Caller cites the example of NYC which has a public advocate.

Says the public has lost trust since the Nuru scandal and FBI investigation. Says this is one step toward restoring trust in institutions of government. #SFRulesCom

Caller from Haight-Ashbury Neighborhood Council says we need to hold people accountable in more ways than every four or six years. #SFRulesCom

Caller notes that the proposal would also establish a Chief Deputy Public Advocate and two Assistant Public Advocates and suggests that resources could be transferred from SFPD to fund the new office. #SFRulesCom

Queue runs out on item 4. Next will presumably be item 5.

(Item 3 still to come.) #SFRulesCom

Motion to amend to remove the attorney requirement: Passes unanimously.

Motion to continue the proposal to a future meeting: Passes unanimously. #SFRulesCom

Looks like we're taking item 6 out of order while item 5 gets amended.

Item 6 would create a Sheriff's Department Oversight Board and Office of Inspector General: sfbos.org/sites/default/…

Sup. Walton speaks to introduce the proposal. #SFRulesCom

Sup. Walton is proposing to make some minor changes. The #SFRulesCom members have nothing to add, so they're opening public comment on item 6.

(Items 5 and 3 are still to come.) #SFRulesCom

Six people queued for public comment on item 6 (Charter amendment Sheriff Department Oversight Board and Inspector General).

If you live in the City, call: tel:[phone]##

Press *3 to get in the queue. Each speaker gets one minute. #SFRulesCom

Caller says the Supes might have missed the message from last night that reform is not good enough. This measure is fine, but it's “a Police Commission for the Sheriff's Department.” Resources toward reform/accountability mechanisms is not progress toward abolition. #SFRulesCom

Caller is concerned that the proposed body would have one member from the mayor and three from the Supervisors; suggests this would be at risk of the mayor “putting a thumb on the scale”. Also wants outright abolition; accuses Sheriff Miyamoto of being “corrupt”. #SFRulesCom

Caller complains about the inscrutable nature of Sup. Walton's description of the change that he described before public comment. Wants a better description of the text or a reference to the full text for people to consult. #SFRulesCom

There are five people waiting to speak on item 6. Press *3 if you live in the City and haven't spoken on this yet.

(Items 5 and 3 are still to come.) #SFRulesCom

Caller says “we want no jails, no Sheriff's, no nothing”. Says something like this would be only acceptable as a temporary measure. “We don't want the Sheriff's Department to have more power and more entrenched stature within the governmental body.” #SFRulesCom

Caller: “In its current form, I support the proposal”, but “I hope that it would be an independent body that would not be subject to the whims of the mayor” and would be independent with its own budget. #SFRulesCom

Caller: “Before you try to apply the Police Commission model to other bodies”, we should try to figure out why the Police Commission hasn't solved corruption and completed reforms on the police.

Clerk interrupts the caller, thinking they're talking about item 3. #SFRulesCom

Caller from @afrosocialistSF supports other callers' concerns about the influence of the mayor over this body. #SFRulesCom

Caller who's “a youth living in District 10” reminds the Supervisors that hundreds of people yesterday demanded abolition and showed examples of how reforms haven't worked. Questions why reforms are still on the table today. #SFRulesCom

Caller says “police abolition and prison abolition are two sides of the same coin” and “you cannot fix problems in a problematic institution”. Says this should be harm reduction while we work toward abolition. #SFRulesCom

3 people in the queue. Press *3 to get in the queue to speak on item 6.

(Items 5 and 3 still to come.) #SFRulesCom

Caller says “another oversight body that probably won't hold anybody accountable sounds like a big waste of money“. #SFRulesCom

Caller who got cut off earlier got back in the queue to call out the clerk and clarify that they were talking about item 6.

Two more callers “don't appreciate the sentiment” of pushing reforms amid an abolition movement. #SFRulesCom

Caller who worked in the Sheriff's Dept. for a year says they don't think this is needed. Says the Sheriff's Dept. already has a similar body and the Dept. of Police Accountability also has power over the Sheriff's Dept as well. Says this would be a waste of money. #SFRulesCom

Caller says this is “too little, too late.” “If this came 15 years ago, maybe.” But not now.

Also says this proposal should be “under community control.” #SFRulesCom

Also a caller earlier objected to Chair Ronen's comment about moving things around to accommodate the Supervisors' schedules. “We also have to work. I'm literally at my work right now waiting to speak on” (item 3). #SFRulesCom

Caller brings up their comment from last night about SFUSD facing cuts while SFPD is looking at a budget increase. Clerk cuts them off since that's item 3, not item 6.

We'll note that the Sheriff's Dept. also gets an increase: $260,818,489 to $274,430,424. #SFRulesCom

Caller supports this item and the Sheriff's Department. Says abolitionists “oppose rule of law”. #SFRulesCom

Caller complains about the clerk cutting people off when they already only have a minute.

Another caller points out that the Sheriff's Department *are police*. They have badges, they carry guns, people want them defunded, too. #SFRulesCom

Caller: “Every time the public speaks, we can't see the Supervisors on the committee.” “It's not OK that they disappear every time we speak.” #SFRulesCom

Clerk cuts someone off again for talking about the police department. Next caller again calls them out for doing that and reiterates that “when we say ‘the police department’, we mean SFPD *and* the sheriff's department.” #SFRulesCom

Caller points out that “the sheriff's department already has an oversight body and it's all the people on this call telling you what we need,” which is defunding. #SFRulesCom

Another caller calls out the Clerk for cutting people off “for calling the sheriff's department police when they do policing.” Doesn't care about the distinction between departments.

“I yield my time in the interest of getting to line item 3.” #SFRulesCom

Public comment ends. Sup. Walton says he “truly understand[s] the frustration” about law enforcement.

Clarifies that the changes mentioned earlier were fixing a typo. #SFRulesCom

Says “what we don't want is to continue letting the sheriff's department run their own investigations.” Calling it “the fox guarding the henhouse.”

Says abolition won't happen right now, so stopping this amendment means letting SFSD police itself in the meantime. #SFRulesCom

Sup. Walton also mentions that other abolitionist efforts such as closing 850 Bryant are in progress.

Says that “there are state laws that prohibit us from” stronger changes they wanted to include in this (doesn't specify what). #SFRulesCom

Chair Ronen talks about the late Jeff Adachi, who revealed some of the sheriff's department's abuses as public defender, including gladiator fights in the jails that a caller mentioned and Sup. Walton also acknowledged. #SFRulesCom

Chair Ronen notes that they're in the process of shutting down Juvenile Hall and have turned down state funding for a new jail. #SFRulesCom

Chair Ronen ultimately concludes that she can't support it.

Says commissions rubber-stamp whatever the mayor wants when a majority of appointees are appointed by mayors.

Wants to take votes on the two amendments to the proposal separately. #SFRulesCom

(The “rubber-stamp” complaint was one also brought up by a public comment caller.) #SFRulesCom

Sup. Mar would also rather keep the original proposal with respect to Board appointments.

Sup. Walton offers to withdraw that amendment so they'll only vote on fixing the typo. #SFRulesCom

The Sheriff has something to say.

Says he's worked with Sup. Walton on this since before he was Sheriff. #SFRulesCom

The Sheriff says a lot of things, including about “fiscal responsibility,” but doesn't really say anything concrete. #SFRulesCom

Sup. Walton reads out the proposed change to fix the typo.

Clerk clarifies that any change at all would require continuing to the next Rules meeting.

Amendment passes unanimously.

Continuance to July 13th #SFRulesCom passes unanimously.

Item 5 is deferred because Sup. Haney is still making amendments so

🎉🎉🎉🎉 ITEM 3 BEGINS 🎉🎉🎉🎉

This is the proposed Charter amendment to repeal the minimum SFPD staffing requirement. Pres. Yee will give opening remarks.

#SFRulesCom

Pres. Yee talks about the need “to reimagine public safety.”

His comments are really reflecting what the commenters mobilized by @DefundSFPDnow were saying last night. #SFRulesCom

They haven't started public comment yet, but you can get in the queue at any time.

If you live in the City, call: tel:[phone]##

Press *3 to get in the queue. Each speaker gets one minute. #SFRulesCom

Pres. Yee talks about the (long) history of this proposal: missionlocal.org/2020/05/police…

Worked with COPS, DPA/Office of Citizen Complaints, Sheriff's Department, the City Controller, etc. Also commissioned a contractor report (maybe the Matrix report?). #SFRulesCom

Here's the Matrix report: sfgov.org/policecommissi…

Now talking about the history of the 1,971 number. Originated from a consent decree from a discrimination lawsuit.

That decree was ended in 1998: sfgate.com/news/article/C…

We're left with the arbitrary minimum. #SFRulesCom

Pres. Yee thanks the Assistant Chief and Commissioner @HamasakiLaw for joining the hearing today.

Encourages the Committee to advance the measure toward the November ballot to enable the voters to weigh in. #SFRulesCom

Chair Ronen talking about the opportunity to “radically change how we police our citizens.” Is proud to be a co-sponsor #SFRulesCom

Comm. Hamasaki echoing what Pres. Yee said about not confining ourselves to an arbitrary number.

Mentions that “we've had some late nights recently” but “we have to recognize this moment.” #SFRulesCom

Comm. Hamasaki mentions the suggestion of rethinking who responds to help people in homelessness or crisis and lightening the workload of police.

Says this has been in the works for five years. #SFRulesCom

Chair Ronen says “we're in for a long night” as we move on to comments from Assistant Chief Robert Moser. sanfranciscopolice.org/your-sfpd/lead…

“The police department does not oppose the Charter amendment,” but proposed some changes that weren't adopted. #SFRulesCom

One was a report to the Police Commission every two years on staffing levels of full-duty sworn officers. (We missed what the other one was.)

Says the PD is ready to implement the amendment if it gets enacted. #SFRulesCom

PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM 3 OPENS. 57 people in the queue right now.

If you live in the City, call: tel:[phone]##

Press *3 to get in the queue. Each speaker gets one minute. #SFRulesCom

Update: Now up to 70 people in the queue. #SFRulesCom

Caller says “it's clear that more police does not increase the safety of the community.” Says “eliminating minimum staffing requirements” would be “a positive step” toward what was demanded last night. #SFRulesCom

Caller supports this and thanks Pres. Yee for his leadership. Says “police don't protect us, they protect capital” and take up resources that could be better used on housing, schools, etc. #SFRulesCom

Caller notes that police don't make people safe, they kill people such as Alex Nieto, Mario Woods, and Luis Góngora Pat. #SFRulesCom

Caller thanks everyone in line for their time, encourages people to press *3 and listen to hear that their hand has been raised. If it doesn't work, hang up and call back and try again. #SFRulesCom

Same caller says their campaign has more people signed up from SF ZIP codes than the margins in the Committee members' elections; says this demonstrates the will of the people being in support of this change. #SFRulesCom

Multiple callers have advocated that language around “maximizing police presence in the City” should be removed from the Charter. #SFRulesCom

Caller says “Defunding the police is not a radical idea” as one of the speakers said it was, and “the police are good at their job, because their job is to harass Black and brown community members.” #SFRulesCom

Caller says “why don't we have a minimum school funding level, or minimum affordable housing units?” Refers to an alleged suggestion by Chief Scott of “1,971 horses” and facetiously agrees with it as still a better mandatory minimum than the current one. #SFRulesCom

Caller says police have killed over 100 people in the City since 1985. #SFRulesCom

Clerk reminds people to press *3 to get in the queue and says there are 81 people currently waiting.

https://twitter.com/IndivisibleSF/status/1281373870558044160

#SFRulesCom

Here's the passage about “maximizing police presence” that people are asking to have removed.

Note that this is currently in the Charter. The current proposal only adds the word “Police” to “Commission.” @NormanYeeSF

#SFRulesCom

Caller says, as many did yesterday, that they don't call the cops because they don't want to escalate situations.

Another caller says that if a social worker had encountered Alex Nieto instead of cops, he'd still be alive today. #SFRulesCom

Caller says we know legislative change takes time, but we're here to encourage the lawmakers to do what's right. #SFRulesCom

Caller: “The people have made it clear that police don't produce public safety. The police don't keep us safe.” #SFRulesCom

Caller from SF chapter of ACLU calls in support. “Arbitrary, unnecessary, and forces our City to continue hiring officers regardless of need.” #SFRulesCom

Caller notes that the consent decree from which the 1,971 number originated was lifted in 1998.

Also notes that the police budget has doubled, inflation-adjusted, since 1998. Advocates moving that money “from policing to public safety.” #SFRulesCom

Caller who's part of @SFYouthCom but speaking as an individual (because the Commission hasn't evaluated this yet).

Notes that the path toward radical change is through eliminating legal obstacles such as this arbitrary minimum. #SFRulesCom

Same caller also urges thinking about wages for the social workers who'll replace police officers. #SFRulesCom

Caller notes that this amendment, if passed, will need to be followed up with actually reducing police staffing. #SFRulesCom

Relevant to that comment: The Matrix staffing report advocated *hiring more cops*. They can do *that* without this amendment; 1,971 is the floor.

Matrix's goal was parity with other depts, but commenters last night noted SF's already-high officers-per-capita ratio. #SFRulesCom

Caller concerned by Comm. Hamasaki's comment that “this is not a radical abolition.”

Challenges politicians to look into the decades of research behind abolition. #SFRulesCom

Caller concerned by politicians “bending over backwards to avoid the words ‘defund SFPD’” but saying “we hear the words of the people.”

Tells Sup. Walton that we don't want deeper reforms, we want abolition. #SFRulesCom

Caller is “shocked to learn” that the 1,971 minimum is in our City Charter. #SFRulesCom

Caller says two-thirds of situations responded to by SFPD should not be criminalized. #SFRulesCom

Clerk says there are 73 people in the queue on this item.

https://twitter.com/IndivisibleSF/status/1281373870558044160

#SFRulesCom

Caller from @afrosocialistSF says this minimum was added “during the catastrophic and genocidal War on Drugs” in 1994.

Says “it's time to take power over staffing away from the POA and give it to the community.” #SFRulesCom

Caller who's a “historian of racial and police violence” says that as long as the number of officers is above zero, the number of deaths by police will be above zero, so it's a question of how many deaths by police the City deems acceptable. #SFRulesCom

Same caller says that policing is inherently violent, so “you cannot reform violence out of policing”. #SFRulesCom

Clerk says there are 68 people in the queue.

https://twitter.com/IndivisibleSF/status/1281373870558044160

#SFRulesCom

Caller spells out “defund”: “prevent from continuing to receive funds.”

Also spells out “abolish”: “formally bring to an end a practice or institution.”

“Please use those two words the next time you start talking about the police.” #SFRulesCom

Caller: “To the Commissioner who said this isn't a radical amendment: More's the pity.” Is in support of the proposal. #SFRulesCom

Caller says that putting this amendment on the ballot would give the people a voice in police staffing levels in the City. #SFRulesCom

Caller calling from their job as a teacher at SFUSD says they're appalled that this staffing minimum is in the Charter when their program is scrabbling for funds and people are living in tents. #SFRulesCom

Caller notes that hundreds of people are in line to make demands. Failing to listen will cost them at the ballot box. “It's time to meet the moment and the movement.” #SFRulesCom

Caller says “you have the best chance of your careers” and “the support of the people” to make change that will “impact the direction of the City and the nation away from the racist foundation upon which it was created.” #SFRulesCom

Caller says “police salaries are unjust” compared to wealth in “communities that are overpoliced” and resources allocated to transit, affordable housing, mental health, etc. #SFRulesCom

Caller says that as an immigrant woman, police presence does not make her feel safe, but scares her. "Listen to the people who are actually affected by these issues to the point of fearing for their lives every single day". #SFRulesCom

Caller: "I'm a black woman who considers whether or not to have children given the guaranteed violence they face..." #SFRulesCom

Caller: "We have to be doing better. This is a tiny baby step". These funds can be used for so many other things. #SFRulesCom

59 callers in the queue. If you live in the City, call: tel:[phone]##
Press *3 to get in the queue. Each speaker gets one minute.

59 callers in the queue. If you live in the City, call: tel:[phone]##
Press *3 to get in the queue. Each speaker gets one minute. #SFRulesCom

Caller: Police officers can't protect us from the greatest threat in our city, which is the white collar crime and corruption that happens in city hall! #SFRulesCom

Caller: draws attention to 2016 staffing analysis report - the SF BoS has been aware of its findings for years now and that this charter amendment is long overdue. #SFRulesCom

Caller is wary of the police department making their own staffing recommendations that Commission will rubber-stamp. Asks callers in support of the amendment to remain vigilant that it doesn't increase police staffing. #SFRulesCom

Caller: defunding SFPD is radical in the same way abolishing slavery, or enacting marriage equality, was radical. #SFRulesCom

Caller reiterates that SFPD makes the community unsafe and calls attention to the fact that anti-black sentiment in SFPD is extreme. #SFRulesCom

Caller identifies themselves as trans person of color, says that the police's definition of "public safety" does not include people like me. #SFRulesCom

Another caller criticizing the BoS for turning off their cameras on SFGovTV during public comment. #SFRulesCom

Caller suggests introducing language addressing abolition of the police department to the charter. #SFRulesCom

Caller asks that abolitionists to be credited with the development of the charter amendment proposal #SFRulesCom

Caller says not necessarily in favor of defunding or abolishing the police, but is in support of the amendment. The current number (1,971) doesn't make sense as part of the charter. #SFRulesCom

Caller offers her services with the campaign to pass the ballot measure amendng the charter. #SFRulesCom

Caller: "How do you spell racism? S-F-P-D!" #SFRulesCom

Another caller demanding that the BoS turn on their cameras during public comment, and telling them not to cut off moments of silence requested by callers. #SFRulesCom

Housing advocate for women, who are disproportionately black: the funds given to SFPD could be used for my clients. The resources come at the expense of housing and social services. #SFRulesCom

Caller is disturbed by the idea that the police management would come up with recommendations of staffing and bring them to the Police Commission. . SFPD is one of the most racist and brutal police forces in the nation, fighting reform. #SFRulesCom

Clerk says it's not appropriate for callers to direct questions or debate Supervisors in this public comment. #SFRulesCom

Caller wants to see a ballot measure that moves to abolish the police. Supports the current proposal, but it isn't enough. #SFRulesCom

@afrosocialistSF members showing up time and time again in this public comment (and last night's meeting too!) #SFRulesCom

Caller: SFPD currently has a grade of "F" from Campaign Zero. It's time for law enforcement abolition and truly radical measures. Most of the work SFPD currently does can be better performed by non law enforcement organizations. #SFRulesCom

More callers supporting the charter amendment to remove the minimum staffing requirement, and to remove language about "maximizing police presence". #SFRulesCom

Callers are also thanking the supervisors who brought this amendment forward. (Those are Sups. Yee, Ronen, Peskin and Fewer) #SFRulesCom

Find out about Campaign Zero here by the way: joincampaignzero.org

You still have time to leave a public comment! If you live in the City, call: tel:[phone]##
Press *3 to get in the queue. Each speaker gets one minute. We're using the talking points here: docs.google.com/document/d/1Dw… #SFRulesCom

Caller apparently opposing the charter amendment, describes the active shooter incident that led to it being passed originally, says "defend the police". #SFRulesCom

Caller asks to check in and see if Supervisors are still on the line. Clerk cuts her off, saying that this is not a time to engage with the Supervisors. (Yeah, we're confused too.) #SFRulesCom

Next caller also says she hopes the Supervisors are watching as people have been in the queue for hours to speak. "Police are violence workers... We must pivot to better alternative solutions, not policing". #SFRulesCom

Caller mentions the SF Sunshine Ordinance to demand that Supervisors turn on their cameras during public comment. "Black lives matter more than police salaries". #SFRulesCom

More callers in support of the charter amendment and removing language about "maximizing police presence in the community". #SFRulesCom

Caller in response to caller who said that we need more police to investigate homicide: use police who are currently not doing this kind of work, and have them do it. #SFRulesCom

Caller suggests minimum staffing requirements for mental health workers, social workers, healthcare workers, educators, etc instead of police. #SFRulesCom

Another caller in opposition to the charter amendment and asking to fund the police. Concerned about police morale decrease, drugs, guns and violence. #SFRulesCom

Caller recounts the history of the minimum staffing requirement. "The charter language, like me, is outdated." We think you're the right guy for the right time, caller! <3 #SFRulesCom

Caller reiterates that if the Supervisors don't take the right steps, they will be voted out. #SFRulesCom

Caller: you can uphold the prison-industrial complex, or you can do your jobs and uphold the new path for San Francisco. #SFRulesCom

46 people in the queue. You still have time to leave a public comment! If you live in the City, call: tel:[phone]##
Press *3 to get in the queue. Each speaker gets one minute. We're using the talking points here: docs.google.com/document/d/1Dw… #SFRulesCom

Caller: we need to be *minimizing* police presence in the community. Since 1985, SFPD has killed over 100 people, including her neighbor Alex Nieto. #SFRulesCom

Caller: police don't protect people, they protect property. Says that this charter amendment is a baby step. Spending taxpayer money on over 2000 officers, most of whom don't live in the city and don't contribute to local economy, makes no sense. #SFRulesCom

Caller: you (the Supervisors) are the policy makers, this is your decision to make. #SFRulesCom

More callers in support of the charter amendment removing the minimum staffing requirement and language about "maximizing police presence", and thanking President Yee and the Supes who brought the amendment forward. #SFRulesCom

Caller: approximate maximum number of police in San Francisco should be zero. Also criticizes SFBoS for not having their cameras on. #SFRulesCom

Caller, like many others, points out the influence of the POA (San Francisco Police Officers Association) on the Board of Supervisors and other officials. #SFRulesCom

Caller asks for the amendment to be followed by defunding SFPD and redirecting the funds to black and brown communities. To those saying the movement is radical: the movement is thoughtful and based on research and data. #SFRulesCom

Caller points out that SFPD continues to kill people despite de-escalation training. Calls to defund the police and use the funds for marginalized communities. #SFRulesCom

Caller identifies herself as a black woman, says her community is being gaslit that the way they have been treated is not reason enough to remove the SFPD. #SFRulesCom

Caller: "When I was 4 years old I saw the police kill a man outside my window. His name was Aaron Williams." #SFRulesCom

Caller describes his history of fighting against police violence (unfortunately I couldn't make it out fast enough to transcribe). He is happy that young people are in a movement to defund the SFPD. #SFRulesCom

Caller: it's important to take the power away from the POA and put it in the hands of our representatives. #SFRulesCom

Clerk says there are 34 people in the queue to speak.

You still have time to leave a public comment! If you live in the City, call: tel:[phone]##
Press *3 to get in the queue. Each speaker gets one minute. #SFRulesCom

Caller: “Do we want to live in a police state? I think not.”

Cites a SF Bar Association letter that was submitted to the Board that says this amendment doesn't need to be sent to Meet & Confer with the POA before it goes on the ballot. #SFRulesCom

Caller thanks @afrosocialistSF for their leadership and organizing. Asks the Board to involve them in future efforts.

Also tells officers to turn their cameras on. Not sure if they mean officers and their body cameras or the Committee members and their video feeds. #SFRulesCom

Caller says “California leads the state[sic] in property crimes.”

Cites the Matrix staffing report and says the Board should not advance the measure.

This is one of a tiny minority of callers against the proposed measure. #SFRulesCom

Caller mentions the history of the requirement being installed in 1994. Thanks Pres. Yee for getting this ball rolling in May 2020; says we won't wait another 16 years. #SFRulesCom

Caller: “We don't just want less police. We want no police.” #SFRulesCom

Clerk says there are 32 people in the queue.

If you live in the City, call: tel:[phone]##
Press *3 to get in the queue. Each speaker gets one minute. #SFRulesCom

Caller is sad that the Supervisors haven't made a Charter amendment to #AbolishThePolice entirely. “I want people I love to feel safe in this city.” #SFRulesCom

Caller brings up the property crime point. Notes that people committing property crimes are poor, addicted, or both. Policing doesn't solve those problems. #SFRulesCom

Clerk says there are 24 people in the queue.

If you live in the City, call: tel:[phone]##
Press *3 to get in the queue. Each speaker gets one minute. #SFRulesCom

Caller: “The best math you can learn is the future cost of present decisions.” Talks about the human costs of 1994's Prop D, and how trauma lasts a lifetime and is passed down generations.

“We should not throw money to bullies with white fragility and guns.” #SFRulesCom

Caller: “We need to move away from the narrow conception of public safety” as based in law enforcement. “It's not about individual officers; it's about a system of racism that was built intentionally and needs to be dismantled intentionally.” #SFRulesCom

Here's the Critical Resistance “four key questions” that an earlier caller mentioned, on evaluating whether something is reform that maintains/entrenches policing or progress toward abolition: static1.squarespace.com/static/59ead8f… #SFRulesCom

Caller notes that only 2 out of 141 callers have opposed the proposed measure. Also lists off districts whose residents have called in (most of them). #SFRulesCom

Caller claiming to be an officer in the Airport Division questions whether someone would feel safe in an airport where there's no one with guns around. #SFRulesCom

Caller echoes the sentiments of appreciating the @afrosocialistSF for their leadership and organizing, and asking the Committee members to have their cameras on.

“We understand if you have to take breaks,” but folks should be visibly present most of the time. #SFRulesCom

Another caller asking for a Charter amendment to #AbolishSFPD entirely.

Starts playing “Fuck the Police” for the remainder of their comment. #SFRulesCom

(We're pretty sure the commenter claiming to be an airport officer was satirizing, by the way. Good reminder—especially at the end of that comment, which we didn't transcribe—that satire is a sharp blade that needs to be carefully handled.) #SFRulesCom

The “I yield my time” parting phrase that was popularized by a commenter to the LA City Council has morphed into people saying “I don't yield my time” and waiting out the remainder of their minute. #SFRulesCom

Clerk says there are 20 people in the queue.

If you live in the City, call: tel:[phone]##
Press *3 to get in the queue. Each speaker gets one minute. #SFRulesCom

Caller continues where an earlier commenter left off in a list of people killed by SFPD. #SFRulesCom

Numerous callers have brought up this news story of a former implicit-bias trainer warning of “extreme” “anti-Black sentiment” in the SFPD: sfexaminer.com/news/implicit-… #SFRulesCom

Caller mentions students being unable to get telecommunication devices and teachers being unable to get PPE. Suggests defunding the police to restore funding to the school district. #SFRulesCom

Caller comes back to the property crime point. Notes that arrest rates are also “abysmally low”; says this shows how “useless” police are. Reiterates that property-crime perpetrators come from desperation, which is not solved by policing. #SFRulesCom

Caller: “Let's get rid of these arbitrary minimum staffing levels that prevent us from investing in real public safety.” #SFRulesCom

Caller tells a story of a naked man standing in the middle of Arguello.

Three police cars rolled up on one man doing nothing but standing in the road.

Notes that if this was a mental health issue, three cars' worth of cops wouldn't help. #SFRulesCom

Caller is “shocked” that the Charter requires maximizing “police presence in the communities”. Envisions a world in which most people never need to encounter armed officers. #SFRulesCom

Caller calls the staffing level requirement “senseless”. “At a constitutional level”, this takes managing police staffing away from City government, where it belongs.

Recalls the 1975 SFPD police strike. Says “accountability for that era is long overdue.” #SFRulesCom

Wikipedia has a summary of the 1975 SFPD strike: en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?ti… #SFRulesCom

Caller: “All the police are good for these days is harassing homeless people and writing me the occasional parking ticket.”

“Let's give [homeless people] a meal and a path to some hope in this goddamned world.” #SFRulesCom

Numerous calls yesterday and today have told stories like this of too many cops thrown at an incident:

https://twitter.com/IndivisibleSF/status/1281418114605834241

All making the point that there are too many cops in general. #SFRulesCom

Caller says the measure is “not well-thought out” (despite being developed for five years) and that the discussion has been “very biased” (with all the people calling in support).

Suggests that people will still have mental health issues even without police. #SFRulesCom

Caller notes that “people could benefit from a small fraction of the police budget.” #SFRulesCom

Same caller plugs 8toabolition.com . #SFRulesCom

Caller notes that increasing police staffing has not reduced property crime.

Also, as numerous callers have, notes that Alex Nieto, Mario Woods, and others killed by police were not among the public served by police. #SFRulesCom

Clerk says there are 24 people in the comment queue. (Which is up!)

If you live in the City, call: tel:[phone]##
Press *3 to get in the queue. Each speaker gets one minute. #SFRulesCom

Caller responds to the earlier caller who said “you can't hug schizophrenia away”. Notes that you can't shoot it away either. Advocates investing savings from defunding police into mental healthcare. #SFRulesCom

Caller notes that even one of the handful of opponents said the measure should be on the ballot (so the #SFRulesCom should advance the measure).

Numerous callers have offered the #SFRulesCom a choice: “You can uphold the prison industrial complex and the devastating impact it has had on the Black community. Or, you can do your jobs as elected representatives and follow the calls for a new path for San Francisco.”

Caller: “#AbolishThePolice. Abolish the Horse Force. #BlackLivesMatter. I yield my time.” #SFRulesCom

Caller who was a neighbor of Sean Monterrosa wants the City government to “have the ability to stay up-to-date with the times.”

“The City doesn't need rules that confine us to worldviews” from decades ago. “#SayHisName.” #SFRulesCom

Several callers have added #AbolishICE to their calls for abolishing the police.

Another caller says police are “unwanted and unhelpful”. #SFRulesCom

Caller: 18 people in the queue to speak.

If you live in the City, call: tel:[phone]##
Press *3 to get in the queue. Each speaker gets one minute. #SFRulesCom

Caller: Police have a “history of discrimination” and “even if they have non-racist or good intentions, it's a highly punitive type of public interaction,” fundamentally coercive. #SFRulesCom

Caller “on behalf of the Pacific Islander and Black community” speaks to what their community has experienced at the hands of police. “I'm not an activist, I'm just a regular citizen trying to do my part.” #SFRulesCom

Caller notes that the proposed amendment is “the bare minimum of what you should be doing” and advocates a push for full abolition. #SFRulesCom

Caller: “I read the argument against [Prop D] and even then, people knew it was a ludicrous thing to put in the Charter.”

Suggests that leaving the “maximize police presence” provision was an attempt to appease the POA, but it won't work so they shouldn't bother. #SFRulesCom

Here's that ballot guide, including the arguments for and against Prop D, and the text of its amendment to the Charter that added the 1,971 minimum: webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/pdf…

/via @MLNow: missionlocal.org/2020/05/police… #SFRulesCom

Caller notes that reform “only serves to funnel more money into the pockets of the SFPD.” #SFRulesCom

Caller advocates for “unarmed public safety officers” rather than armed police. #SFRulesCom

Caller from @ellabakercenter “who grew up in the TL” calls in support.

“unconscionable and egregious” that Black residents are 5% of the City, 30% of homeless residents, 50% of incarcerated residents, as SFPD's budget rose $170 million over the past decade. #SFRulesCom

Caller lists off various police budget line items and the money that would be saved by abolishing SFPD. #SFRulesCom

Roughly the third caller to say “defend the police”. Makes a racist claim about Black people and claims people are stealing from stores with the sanction of the DA. Says other callers are trying to enact Marxism. #SFRulesCom

Caller says they've never had a positive interaction with police and they teach children of color not to trust police. #SFRulesCom

Caller learned today that minimum staffing requirements were pushed across the country by “conservative police unions” to ensure cops wouldn't be laid off during recessions while teachers and social workers were.

Says we need to abolish this unjust policy. #SFRulesCom

Same caller thanks @NormanYeeSF for getting the ball rolling five years ago, before it rose to the public consciousness. #SFRulesCom

Caller says that anyone who isn't sure whether they've heard “your hand has been raised” should hang up, call back, and press *3 again. #SFRulesCom

Another caller to “defend the police” says “who would want this job?”

Conjures images of people “standing for 14 hours” while protesters yell “COVID droplets” at them.

#SFRulesCom

Same caller also paints a bleak picture of officers staying late to fill out paperwork.

(Yesterday at the #SFBudgetAppsCom, there was a hearty discussion of how much we're spending in non-mandatory overtime.) #SFRulesCom

Caller who's been a victim of violent crime says “police did not help me.” Says the number of people helped by cops is “zero.”

“Protect our communities by engaging with the people and divesting from the police.” #SFRulesCom

Caller brings up Sup. Walton's CAREN Act: sfchronicle.com/bayarea/articl…

Notes that the whole reason abusive white people *can* make these calls is that police are disproportionately violent toward Black people. #SFRulesCom

First-time caller says “we need less people, not more”. Cites a video of officers beating a homeless man with an injured leg. Has personally witnessed cops “violently removing” a homeless person. #SFRulesCom

Only three people in line to speak!

If you live in the City, call: tel:[phone]##
Press *3 to get in the queue. Each speaker gets one minute. #SFRulesCom

Caller talks about “sexual misconduct” as the next biggest category of complaints against officers. #SFRulesCom

Caller talks about police “lock[ing] people up and throw[ing] away their belongings.”

Relevant: stolenbelonging.org #SFRulesCom

Caller says they've had nothing but positive interactions with the police and that callers telling stories of police violence and misconduct want to “end all law.” Thanks police and suggests callers are not representative of the City population. #SFRulesCom

Caller advocates for keeping call-in public comment available even after the pandemic emergency ends and in-person public comment resumes. #SFRulesCom

Caller opposes defunding police, advocates spending the money on training to get police to arrest people instead of killing them. #SFRulesCom

Still the vast majority of callers have expressed support for the measure and solidarity with communities disproportionately harmed by police violence. (Many are making similar points, which is why we're not transcribing them all.) #SFRulesCom

Caller complains about the public comment time being halved to a minute in anticipation of “a barrage of comments from abolitionists.” “You may have halved our speaking time, but you have doubled our spirit.”

“Let's make San Francisco cop-free.” #SFRulesCom

Caller: “One of the least safe feelings I have in SF is when I walk down Market Street and see 12 people surrounding” one person. Worries that those dozen cops will kill that person. #SFRulesCom

Caller responding to an earlier pro-cop comment: “She said ‘The police go out into communities even when they're not wanted.’ If they're not wanted, they're probably not helping those communities, are they?” #SFRulesCom

That's the end of the comment queue!

Chair Ronen was apparently trying to get her daughter to go to bed. Hands off to Pres. Yee to run the meeting in the meantime. #SFRulesCom

Pres. Yee notes that the measure would *allow* the City to make decisions regarding police staffing. Those decisions would be based on an analysis rendered by the Chief. #SFRulesCom

Pres. Yee lists off figures supporting this measure, including fellow Supervisors, Commissioner Hamasaki, (the real) Sen. Scott Wiener, and others. #SFRulesCom

Pres. Yee proposes an amendment to strike “maximize police presence in the communities and”! #SFRulesCom

Reminder: This is the draft of Pres. Yee's measure that we went into the #SFRulesCom with: sfgov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&…

Sup. Mar—who seems to be in his car?—sounds supportive. #SFRulesCom

Sup. Stefani mentions a caller who was in tears regarding generations of trauma. Says the Supervisors are hearing commenters.

Says the Supervisors' video feeds not being visible during public comment is done by SFGovTV, not the Supervisors. #SFRulesCom

Chair Ronen says there's only been a couple of times in her time on the Board where there's been so much public turnout two days in a row “where they're willing to prioritize their whole day and night to give 1–2 minutes of public comment.” #SFRulesCom

Chair Ronen says “you are all making such an impression on me” and praises “the level of engagement and passion on this issue.” #SFRulesCom

Chair Ronen also thanks the Clerk's office and IT office in their work to run public comment. #SFRulesCom

Motion to strike the dread passage:

Stefani: Aye
Mar: Aye
Ronen: Aye

Unanimously, “maximize police presence in our communities and” is stricken. #SFRulesCom

Continuance to July 13th #SFRulesCom meeting:

Stefani: Aye
Mar: Aye
Ronen: Aye

Mark your calendars for Monday!

They've started item 5, Sup. Haney's proposed Charter amendment.

This would split out part of DPW into a new “Department of Sanitation and Streets”. Partly inspired by the Nuru scandal. #SFRulesCom

Here's the draft of the DSS measure: sfgov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&…

And legislative digest: sfgov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&…

Though Sup. Haney has been working on amendments for the past 4+ hours, so these may be changed and the item may end up continued to a #SFRulesCom meeting.

Sup. Haney has wrapped up and another speaker (whose name we missed) is now up, talking about the need for accountability, in the context of the Nuru scandal. Need to ensure DPW as a department is clean. #SFRulesCom

That speaker was apparently the current director of DPW.

Sup. Haney says this isn't about him or the current behavior of DPW, but about structural accountability. #SFRulesCom

Aha, yes. Alaric Degrafinried is the acting director of DPW. #SFRulesCom

Next up: Public comment on item 5, this DPW restructuring Charter amendment measure.

If you live in the City, call: tel:[phone]##
Press *3 to get in the queue. Each speaker gets one minute. #SFRulesCom

Caller speaks in support of the measure, “also known as clean up Public Works's shit.” Draws a distinction between keeping streets clean and sweeping homeless people. #SFRulesCom

Caller suggests that the City should reconsider its contract with Recology “because there's definitely some corruption going on there.”

Suggests that we may not need this Charter amendment if the Public Advocate amendment (item 4) passes. #SFRulesCom

Caller says SF “is the poop capital.”

“Especially during the time of COVID and heightened fear of transmission of disease, we need a Department of Sanitation and Streets more than ever. I support this plan.” #SFRulesCom

Caller emphasizes that the new department could be funded by defunding the police. Mentions the end of SROs; suggests firing those officers and funding the new department with savings. #SFRulesCom

Another caller echoes that the new document could be funded by cutting the “obscene” police budget. #SFRulesCom

End of public comment. Motion to adopt Sup. Haney's amendments:

Stefani: Aye
Mar: Aye
Ronen: Aye

Amended unanimously.

Motion to continue to July 13:

Stefani: Aye
Mar: Aye
Ronen: Aye

Continued unanimously, as amended. #SFRulesCom

“That completes the agenda.” Sup. Ronen thanks everyone “for working so hard and caring so much about this work” and adjourns the #SFRulesCom meeting.

Big thanks and congratulations to @DefundSFPDnow for organizing and mobilizing the hundreds of commenters who called in yesterday and today. Guess we'll see y'all on Monday at the next #SFRulesCom meeting!

This change was demanded by an overwhelming majority of the people who called in—and it was the first thing the #SFRulesCom did after public comment ended.

https://twitter.com/DefundSFPDnow/status/1281440131862261760

Public comment works!