pages: CityCouncil/2021-02-02.pdf, 19
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CityCouncil | 2021-02-02 | 19 | Councilmember Herrera Spencer inquired how much time it will take to get to the staffing level of 73 sworn Officers; questioned the ideal number of sworn Officers and how to address the crime; inquired the status of the camera equipment and the sale of the armored vehicle. The Interim Police Chief responded that the department is awaiting the report from the Steering Committee; stated many communities and jurisdictions are questioning what is desired from Police; more bodies are needed in investigations; , the ability to provide proactive policing is hampered by Officers being taken out of investigations to do patrol; law enforcement throughout the area is grabbing from the same pool of applicants and is diversifying in an effort to reflect communities; efforts will be ongoing. The Police Captain stated the matter of License Plate Readers (LPR) has stalled. The City Manager stated the armored vehicle will come before Council once the Steering Committee has provided their report; Council previously requested options for selling the vehicle. Councilmember Knox White stated there has been a definitive decision by leadership not to move forward with LPRs; inquired whether the decision is still in effect. The City Manager responded there have been restrictions placed on LPRs; however, the Council discussion occurred prior to his start with the City; stated the matter has stalled and has not moved forward; leadership has changed and historical perspective has been lost due to changeover. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the City Manager intends to bring the matter back to Council, to which the City Manager responded in the affirmative. In response to Councilmember Knox White's inquiry, the Interim Police Chief stated guns need to be out of the hands of people who should not have them; Officers linking firearms using forensic information, gets more guns out of circulation; Alameda must decide what is desired of the Police; traditional law enforcement tactics include more car stops and encounters trying to get guns off the streets; the tactic increases criticism of Police; there have been recommendations to have the Police solely focus on violent crime; violent crime is is, thankfully, a small component of what Officers do; violent crimes have a tremendous impact on the community; in order to address violent crime, Officers must complete other forms of enforcement; in general, society is trying to decide what actions should be taken by Police moving forward; there are tough tightropes to walk as the Interim Police Chief. Councilmember Knox White inquired whether the City will release an analysis of traffic stops based on race; stated the release has not yet happened after requests; noted there has been recommendation to have a contractor look through the data; the review does not require a deep law enforcement understanding to complete; inquired whether Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 14 February 2, 2021 | CityCouncil/2021-02-02.pdf |