HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 6b. Update from the Ad Hoc Learning Subcommittee Item 6b
Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 4/2/2025
Item Number: 6b
FROM: Samantha Vethavanam, DEI Administrative Specialist
Phone Number: (805) 781-7064
E-mail: svethava@slocity.org
SUBJECT: UPDATE FROM THE AD HOC LEARNING SUBCOMMITTEE ON
INFORMATION FROM THE CA CIVIL RIGHTS DEPARTMENT
RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file the update from Human Relations Commission Ad Hoc Learning
Subcommittee on information received from the CA Civil Right s Department’s Community
Conflict Resolution Unit.
BACKGROUND
On August 2, 2023, during the regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission
(HRC), a member of the public provided public comment requesting the HRC to prepare
a statement, as part of the DEI Strategic Plan, denouncing hate incidents and develop a
Hate Incident Response Guideline geared toward addressing the community’s needs.
Staff then conducted research and provided an update at the September 6, 2023, HRC
meeting on what a potential Hate Incident Response Guideline could look like. At this
meeting, the HRC recommended to form a subcommittee to help staff in the development
of the Guideline.
It is of note that in late 2022, the City of San Luis Obispo’s Police Department (SLOPD)
had included a section on their website informing the public of the process to report a
hate crime/incident. The website includes an online form for reporting as well as a
flowchart (see image below) in both Spanish and English on what to do if someone
believes that they witnessed or experienced a hate crime/incident. The City’s Office of
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) also includes a section on its website linking to
SLOPD’s page and providing additional resources for individuals who witness or
experience a hate crime/incident.
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Item 6b
In early 2024, the Office of DEI collaborated with Public Communications Manager,
Whitney Szentesi, to engage with the CA Civil Rights Department’s Community Conflict
Resolution Unit (CCRU) to identify sources and information to help assist the community
during hate incidents. The HRC received a presentation from Mr. Marquez Equalibria from
the CCRU on the work of the CCRU and the support they can provide at the April 3, 2024,
HRC meeting.
At the July 10, 2024, special meeting, Commissioners chose three (3) members to be
part of the Ad Hoc Learning Subcommittee to learn from the CCRU and disseminate
information to the remaining Commissioners. The subcommittee members were chosen
as follows:
Vice Chair Campos
Commissioner Warrecker
Commissioner Ambrosio
The Subcommittee then had a meeting, along with City staff, with members of the CCRU
on July 30, 2024, in which they discussed ideas surrounding how the HRC can be a
resource for the community as it relates to addressing and mitigating hate incidents. On
July 31, 2024, the CCRU responded with a follow up email with additional ideas and ways
they could support. This item will include a recap of this conversation and subsequent
recommendations, as well as the current hate crime/incident reporting process the City
holds.
ATTACHMENTS
A - Presentation Update from the Ad Hoc Learning Subcommittee
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First Meeting with the CA Civil Rights Department
Community Conflict Resolution Unit (CCRU)
July 30, 2024
Conversation Recap:
•City staff/Commissioners noted that the Human Relations Commission (HRC) has had a strong
history connecting with local nonprofits and providing accountability on services through the
administration of grants.
•City staff/Commissioners noted there is a large opportunity to work with college students as well.
•City staff/Commissioners noted that they wanted the HRC to be a resource for the community to
come and engage with them; bring the community together.
•This could look like block parties with a listening component; quarterly check-ins with the
community; liaising with the police so they can bring updates to the HRC meetings; and holding
meaningful cultural events.
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Follow Up Email from CCRU Staff
July 31, 2024
Email Recap: CCRU staff provided the following menu of options that could be explored or
developed with their assistance:
•Hate Crime Forum: presentation on hate crimes
and relevant services
•Hate Crime/Incident Response Plan: process to
engage targeted communities; identified messaging
mechanism, etc.
•Critical Incident Response Plan: response plan
for police incidents
•Community-Wide/City-Wide Dialogue with
Adults and/or Youth: see what the City is doing
well for community members
•Community Dialogue with specific
community groups identified by the HRC:
more targeted dialogue, maybe specifically on
hate incidents
•HRC Guide: CCRU developing one
•College Student Guide: how to support
students; conflict resolution basics; etc.
•Police-Community Relations: providing hate
crime data.
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Current City Process
The City has information and resources for those who witness or experience a hate
crime/incident on both SLOPD’s webpage and the Office of DEI’s webpage.
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Next Steps and Questions?
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