HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-30-2025 Walker (Urgent Request for Transparency and Action on Grand Jurykathie walker <
To:E-mail Council Website
Cc:Advisory Bodies; McDonald, Whitney
Subject:Urgent Request for Transparency and Action on Grand Jury Report
Dear CityCouncilmembers,
Transparency ingovernment ismore critical than ever. Asalong-time San Luis Obispo resident who has reported illegal
fraternity houses and their disruptive impact since Fall 2021, I’mdeeply disheartened byyour continued inaction. I’ve
submitted videos, spoken during public comment, and repeatedly asked that this issue beagendized, which youhave
rejected. Inthe past four years, the only change has been that more long-time residents have left our neighborhood.
The Grand Jury’srecent report, Round and Round with Town Gown, confirmed what residents have said allalong: the
City has failed toenforce itslaws and protect our neighborhoods.
The Grand Jury interviewed 15people, primarily Citystaff. They reviewed aton ofdocumentation (including that
provided bythe City) and visited theneighborhood sothey could assess theproblem themselves. TheGrand Jurydoes
not have apolitical agenda, and the investigation was independent ofany particular influence.
When asked for comment onthe Grand Juryreport, the City'sresponses have been evasive anddefensive. Mayor Erica
Stewart’sclaim that the matter can’tbediscussed until September -despite available space onupcoming agendas - is
unacceptable. The City Council issupposed to represent the residents, not the City itself.
Iurge you toimmediately agendize the Grand Juryreport and related issues for public discussion.
Ialso request that the CityCouncil convene ameeting that includes Cal Poly, Greek Life, the City, and Residents inthe
affected neighborhoods, sothere can bemeaningful dialogue toward solving the problem.
These are some ofthe key points from my experience:
The Grand Jury cited serious concerns with illegal fraternities, enforcement failures, SLOPD leadership, andlack
oftransparency. Iwas interviewed and provided documentation requested, including recordings ofthe Student
Community Liaison Committee (SCLC) meetings forthe past year.
Cal Poly cooperated fully with theGrand Jury, while the Police Chief blocked interviews with two senior officers,
hampering the investigation. This behavior erodes public trust, particularly since complaints tothe Grand Jury
were against theChief himself.
The City’s “clarifications” sent tothe Grand Jury onJune 20attempted torevise findings rather than accept
responsibility. The Grand Jury’sreport sent totheCity onJune 16wasfinal, not adraft. The Grand Jury'spolicy is
toshare the report inadvance sothe City wouldn’tbeblindsided, not tooffer edits.
SLOPD’sresponse toSt. Fratty’sDay (2022, 2023, 2024) wasinadequate. Residents repeatedly warned the City
and offered solutions. Despite claims tothe contrary, streets were barricaded in 2022. My email sent inJuly
2022 warned of the March 2023 St. Patrick’sDay and St. Fratty’sback-to-back holiday weekend. The warning
was ignored asthe event doubled insize each year, until the Grand Jury finally prompted action in2025.
The Police Chief hasmisrepresented facts publicly, retaliated against critics, and has notbeen transparent,
including when asked about misinformation inthe police log. Isubmitted documentation ofefforts tosilence
and retaliate against the Neighborhood Representative onthe SCLC, and the report was ignored. 1
Video documentation showed inappropriate conduct byanSLOPD officer who made disparaging remarks about
neighborhood residents and Residents forQuality Neighborhoods (RQN) while responding toanoise complaint.
He didnot know the residents involved, making hisbias especially concerning. Thiswas reported and
disregarded.
Residents from the neighborhood were not included onthe taskforce, even though this request wasmade
during SCLC meetings.
The Cityhas failed toact onclear evidence ofillegal fraternity houses. Despite receiving Cal Poly’sAB 524 report
in2023, aseparate report with significant documentation, and continued documentation andconfirmation of
dozens ofillegal fraternities, including 12main chapter houses operating illegally inR1/R2zones, these illegal
fraternities arestill operating. TheCity should have filed aWrit ofMandate tocompel Cal Poly torelease
fraternity addresses after CalPoly refused toprovide the addresses when requested per the CAPublic Records
Act. Idrafted one myself, but itisthe City’slegal and ethical obligation toact.
Residents should not have todothe work ofCity staff toobtain theaddresses ofillegal fraternity operations from Cal
Poly. Itisthe City'sresponsibility tosolve the illegal fraternity problem and enforce the municipal code.
Here iswhat should happen now:
1. Agendize the Grand Jury report for immediate public discussion.
2. File aWrit ofMandate toobtain fraternity addresses from Cal Poly.
3. Begin enforcement ofillegal fraternities using the proper legal standard: preponderance ofthe evidence,
meaning itismore likely than not, based onthe documentation. The code enforcement officer, primarily tasked
with handling the complaints against illegal fraternities, has been wrongfully dismissing complaints based onthe
incorrect standard of proof: beyond areasonable doubt.
4. Include residents affected bySt. Fratty'sDay onthe task force.
5. Ensure SCLC meetings are recorded and archived starting August 2025.
The Grand Jury’sfindings demand realaction, not excuses, edits, ordelays. The City nowhas achance torestore public
trust byresponding decisively and transparently. Thank you inadvance for addressing these issues.
Sincerely,
Kathie Walker
cc. Planning Commissioners; CityManager, Whitney McDonald
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