CC MIN 06212022 - Laserfiche WebLink

In response to Councilmember Balch, PPD Chief David Swing clarified the policy does not prohibit the PPD from participating in events like National Night Out or displaying items on the list at certain events. City Manager Beaudin clarified the proposed authorized usage section does not have clear direction on community or promotional events. He stated AB 481 was not designed to get into this level of detail as it focused on the approval of the equipment. He added many of the items on the list can be openly found in police cars across the City every day. He requested clarification on the promotional use of the ARV and robots at community events. Mayor Brown opened the public hearing. Doug Miller stated public safety is part of why he has lived in Pleasanton for 31 years. He expressed the State misrepresents much of the equipment as military equipment, particularly the items deemed less-than-lethal. He added most of the PPD's rifles are publicly available and commercially sold. He stated the law's military terminology is misleading and can lead to cities removing good options from the police. He encouraged the Council to approve the resolution. Harjaap Singh stated the items on the list are dangerous to the City, particularly the Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport (BATT). He added the crime rate is very low in Pleasanton and the items are not needed, particularly to show at community events like the Christmas Parade. He encouraged the Council not to allow the use of these weapons. In response to Mayor Brown, Chief Swing clarified the ARV is only listed as a BATT due to the report's required terminology and it is inaccurate to refer to the ARV as a tank. He stated it has a commercially sold Ford F-550 chassis and not a track drive. He added the ARV does not have a mounted weapons system or shoot projectiles. He clarified it is a personnel carrier designed to rescue officers or community members who are in a dangerous situation. In response to Councilmember Testa, Chief Swing clarified the manufacturer identifies the vehicle as a BATT but there are many different varieties of BATTs, and PPDs are identified as an ARV. Nicholas Albert, President of the Pleasanton Police Officers Association (PPOA), stated the PPOA is committed to keeping Pleasanton a safe place to live, work, and raise a family. He stated initial exposure to safety equipment like the ARV is ideally in a controlled environment. He stated events like National Night Out allow children to positively engage with officers and see the vehicle in a fun and educational setting. Joel Liu stated he chose to raise his family in Pleasanton because of its safety and schools. He stated the PPD needs to have the proper tools to maintain public safety and the military equipment should not be removed from the PPD. He expressed hopes the PPD never needs to use the equipment but acknowledged random mass shootings happen and that the PPD has to have the right equipment to handle the situation. Ryan Tujague, Vice President of the PPOA, noted his role in the PPD is community engagement and crime prevention. He noted that there have been incidents in Pleasanton where the ARV was utilized to save lives. He added that PUSD has specifically requested the ARV as part of safety demonstrations for school children and added it is the most requested vehicle to see at National Night Out. He stated the ARV is essential to the PPD's community engagement efforts. John Lindsay-Poland expressed concern the policy does not conform to AB 488 specifically regulating the use of force involving chemical agents for crowd control. He stated it is not referenced in either the policy or Section 308 of the Pleasanton Police Code. He added there are other ways to start City Council Minutes Page 12 of 18 June 21,2022