CCMIN07212020SPEC - Laserfiche WebLink

CITY OF PLEASANTON SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES JULY 21, 2020 This meeting was conducted in accordance with Governor Newsom's Executive Orders N-20-20 and N-35-20 and COVID-19 pandemic protocols. SPECIAL MEETING Mayor Thorne called a teleconference special meeting of the City Council to order at the hour of 6:30 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmembers Brown, Narum, Pentin, Testa, Mayor Thorne Absent: None COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSION TO GATHER INPUT REGARDING COMMUNITY POLICING IN PLEASANTON Mayor Thorne welcomed the public to the Community Listening Session and provided opening remarks. PUBLIC COMMENT John Bauer expressed concern Pleasanton Police Department (PPD) had minimized his son Jacob Bauer's mental health problems when contacted for assistance. He noted PPD's response to repeated requests for assistance was, there was nothing they could do if he was not a threat to himself or others. He added the expectation when calling 911 for assistance is to have mental health care providers available to respond when medical help is needed. Joshua Rodriguez expressed his support of PPD and noted he has never been racially profiled or treated differently due to his Hispanic background. He noted his great respect for law enforcement and has complete faith in their ability to manage themselves in the most ethical and honorable way. Mark Shawver expressed his respect and support of Police Chief Swing, PPD, and feels they are doing a great job given the stress and danger associated with their work. He thanked PPD for their thankless and courageous service. Linda Kelly read a letter on behalf of another resident who provided a brief overview of her experience with PPD and her son. She commented that responding officers were always respectful but were limited in their ability to assist her son with his mental health issues. She encouraged PPD to continue to be trained about mental illness and drug abuse so they can be even better equipped to assist residents. Xiaofang Chen, Alan Hu Foundation, reported her son who suffered with mental illness passed away by suicide at age 15. She recapped an incident in which her son was treated like a criminal instead of someone with mental illness. She encouraged the use of emergency mental health professionals instead of law enforcement as an alternative to help those with mental crises. Rose Bauer expressed her disappointment that PPD did not use de-escalation tactics when interacting with her son, which she believed resulted in his death. She expressed concern that good officers choose to cover up the misconduct of other officers for fear of retaliation. She encouraged change within the PPD along with transparency.