pages: CityCouncil/2020-06-16.pdf, 23
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CityCouncil | 2020-06-16 | 23 | City is safe and secure; a Police force is needed; however, ongoing training is also needed; City Hall has had a consistent structure; however, it is time to look at a different approach. Councilmember Vella stated City Hall and Council are listening, present and spending time on the matter; noted Councilmembers have been present at marches and demonstrations; stated change is wanted and being executed; expressed support for programs being community led and involved by all; stated the goal is about limiting Police confrontation especially for non-criminal calls for service; noted the incidents in Minneapolis and Atlanta had been calls to service for a non-violent crime resulting in loss of life; stated departments have started to change policies; however, calls still come in; assumptions cannot be made and an understanding of the process of dispatch needs to occur; the process needs to be thoughtful; expressed support for transformative change that lasts; stated changes should not be for one budget cycle; the four areas all need to be discussed; quoted a statement: "the great thing about Alameda is that we are big enough to have staff to get things done and small enough to do it as a community;' stated the community can come together and solve problems. Councilmember Oddie stated there have been inappropriate calls to Police dispatch; Police Officers as community members want to be part of the discussion and change; Police Officers are a diverse group of people with families. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she has heard about the calls received by dispatch; noted inappropriate calls are not in the name of justice; stated people should practice the compassion being requested; Council has an opportunity to show taking an adversity and finding redemption; an incident on May 23 was captured via social media and brought to Council's attention; discussed a Town Hall hosted by Vice Mayor Knox White, a march she attended with Councilmember Oddie and a meeting with youth leaders; stated this is an opportunity to reallocate Police funding; noted programs cut and forwarded to Police oversight; stated there is no equal trade for Officers to Social Workers; expressed support for a model similar to Eugene, Oregon of civilian teams; stated Alameda is part of a larger system and there is a limited number of resources; Council is working on the homelessness issue; noted Officer training does not include ethnic studies or race relations; stated Berkeley has a mobile crisis outreach van; Alameda could partner with the City of San Leandro for mental health services; there are things Council cannot legislate; this is a historic moment; Council can see this moment and be inspired leaders and move forward with purpose. On the call for the question, the motion carried by the following roll call vote: Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Knox White: Aye; Oddie: Aye; Vella: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5. CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS (20-433) The City Manager announced an expansion of the slow streets program; stated the County has begun to open again. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 21 June 16, 2020 | CityCouncil/2020-06-16.pdf |