pages: CityCouncil/2020-06-02.pdf, 5
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CityCouncil | 2020-06-02 | 5 | The Police Chief responded a request was made for mutual aid; stated Berkeley briefly provided Police for about an hour. Vice Mayor Knox White stated curfews are a significant event and should not be taken lightly; the Alameda Police Department has been stretched, like surrounding cities; expressed support for extending the state of emergency through June 16th, allowing the City Manager to declare a curfew on a day-by-day basis based on significant upcoming dates, and a report being submitted in the morning following any curfew related actions; stated that he hopes actions will not be necessary; Council not extending to match the County curfew is a signal to not over-enforce the County curfew; the curfew decision was made too quickly with little input; more input and notification is needed prior to County actions. Councilmember Oddie quoted Benjamin Franklin: "those who give up essential liberty to purchase little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety;" noted New York implemented curfew for the first time since 1943; stated curfew decisions are not taken lightly; outlined a Supreme Court decision related to Governor Newsom's limitation on churches; stated Alameda has ceded the authority of a public health department to the County; the City has not ceded its authority to the County on public safety; expressed concern for the Sheriff exerting authority over the City of Alameda; stated Alameda is a sovereign and Charter City, which is not subject to the County; that he is not supportive of giving up any authority to the County Sheriff; the Sheriff has a history of being heavy handed; expressed support for giving the City Manager and Police Chief temporary authority to keep the City safe; expressed concern about the matter being prone to litigation; stated Alameda only has five ways on and off the Island and is not inundated by access; expressed concern about a two-week duration; stated there will be upcoming days of protest and unrest and the declaration being extended until Sunday morning is understandable; expressed support for the staff recommendation; stated that he trusts City Officials and he is an Alamedan. Councilmember Vella stated a number of other cities are considering various curfews and whether or not the County should have jurisdiction over cities; actions being taken are a fast-slide into fascist scenarios; expressed support for the City Manager's implementation of the curfew; however, she is opposed to curfews; stated that there has been no explanation of why curfews are viewed as effective; the shelter in place order conflates the issue and fewer people are out; expressed concern about the number of exemptions under the curfew, namely people going to and from work; stated many people of color are terrified of being pulled over; tensions are heightened; curfew may give cause to specifically pull over people of color; a number of business owners have secured their business due to fears; Council should move from a place of data; should a curfew be imposed, it needs to be data-based with actual information; that she is frustrated Council is taking extreme steps to protect property when the conversation should be about Black Lives Matter; noted much of the unrest is due to governments failing to hold people accountable for police brutality and actions that are not just; expressed support for the declaration of emergency; stated that she does not support Special Meeting Alameda City Council 4 June 2, 2020 | CityCouncil/2020-06-02.pdf |