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Mariana Zuniga expressed concern regarding City Council's accountability to the people requesting <br /> police transformation. She encouraged more transparency and denounced using the Graham v. Connor <br /> standard as a defense for the use of force. <br /> Mayor Thorne closed public comment. <br /> Mayor Thorne encouraged City Council to continue the discussion after his term expires. He is <br /> convinced of the need for a mental health response team and is leaning towards the PERT model. He <br /> expressed concerns regarding the usefulness of SROs and the D.A.R.E. program. He encouraged a <br /> discussion with the school district regarding the replacement of SROs with mental health officers. He <br /> also challenged the City Council to explore the issues of police transparency in the future but <br /> encouraged redacting of officers' names. <br /> Mayor Thorne noted PPD does not have a tank but a protective vehicle. Chief Swing clarified it is an <br /> armored rescue vehicle to be used when people are in harm's way. He noted the PPD is not registered <br /> to participate in the military equipment program and does not have any military equipment. <br /> Mayor Thorne commented the carotid hold issue is moot because the state legislature will likely ban it <br /> but encouraged City Council to evaluate it carefully if the legislation does not pass. He commented <br /> Pleasanton's older population is happy with the PPD and has given it a 90%-plus approval rating in <br /> every survey. <br /> Councilmember Narum thanked Mayor Thorne for clarifying the tank matter. She agrees with exploring <br /> a mental health alternative and is pleased this is being explored as a pilot program that can be adjusted <br /> to best match the City's needs. She supports the exploration of a combined effort with Livermore and <br /> Dublin. She encouraged discussion with the Pleasanton Unified School District to evaluate the value of <br /> the D.A.R.E. program and SROs. <br /> Councilmember Narum expressed support for the recommendations of Chief Swing leaving the ability <br /> of officers to use their best judgment instead of arbitrary regulations. She would like to revisit the <br /> amount and priority of training programs. She noted Pleasanton has a reputation for being a safe family <br /> community and she would like to maintain that perception leaving her reluctant to remove police <br /> funding to fund mental health initiatives. She believes response times are a critical measurement of <br /> assessing police success. <br /> Councilmember Narum motioned for staff to further explore an alternate response to mental health calls <br /> and to authorize the City Manager to initiate conversations with PUSD regarding the D.A.R.E. program <br /> and SROs. Councilmember Pentin seconded the motion. <br /> Councilmember Pentin questioned whether or not the City Council can impose a mental health program <br /> upon the schools or if that is against the separation of schools and City but encouraged dialogue with <br /> the schools. <br /> Councilmember Pentin cited a conversation he had with PUSD Board President Steve Maher who <br /> supports the SROs and D.A.R.E. program unequivocally, He encourages the school board's <br /> involvement as opposed to a unilateral decision being made by City Council. Councilmember Pentin <br /> relayed the experience of participating in an active shooter drill and believes SROs would be beneficial <br /> but would like input from parents. <br /> Councilmember Pentin would like to evaluate the CAHOOTS program performance in the East Bay and <br /> is very interested to see how the PERT model would perform in Pleasanton. <br /> Councilmember Testa expressed support for the concept of a 24/7 program such as CATT which <br /> incorporates emergency medical services to support families at the early stage of a crisis. She supports <br /> City Council Minutes Page 10 of 12 August 20, 2020 <br />