HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-16-2014 pc Schmidt w Gesell PD responseKremke, Kate
From: Mejia, Anthony
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2014 12:50 PM
To: Kremke, Kate
Subject: Fwd: Militarization of police -- public comment next meeting
Begin forwarded message: AGENDA
From: "Gesell, Steve" <sgesellgslocit�org> CORRESPONDENCE
Date: September 11, 2014 at 11:47:37 AM PDT Daual -t L- J q Item# EL
To: "rschmidtgrain.org" <rschmidtgrain.org>
Cc: "Lichtig, Katie" <klichtig(2slocity.org >, "Mejia, Anthony" <amejiakslocitLorg>
Subject: RE: Militarization of police -- public comment next meeting
Mr. Schmidt,
Most concerns regarding this type of equipment lose sight of the dangers police officers face
even in SLO, which most would agree is a safe city in relative terms. I would encourage you to
read the Tribune story again and look for the very first incident our SWAT team's armored
vehicle was used. It protected the officers and ultimately enabled us to capture the armed and
deranged suspect. Imagine how it would feel if you were an officer approaching this house
without protection that will stop the shotgun rounds he was firing. Or even a neighbor pinned
down and unable to escape their own house, hoping he doesn't come inside. This may help you
realize the need for such a vehicle. It is a standard civilian armored vehicle used extensively
throughout the U.S. that we purchased with regional grant funds at the behest of the police chief
in the other incorporated cities in SLO County and the University Police.
The number of night vision units reported in the story caught my eye as well. The military will
occasionally provide items like this in bulk as the majority of them are not functional and are
used to salvage parts. These are rarely used in situations where shining a light would comprise
the safety of officers (e.g., suspect with a gun in a creek or open space).
Mental illness abounds in the this area and is a common denominator in most mass shootings as
well as the majority of homicides in SLO county in the last five years. Additionally we've
experienced two riots, our officers have been fired upon in the recent past and assaults are
unfortunately a common occurrence in our occupation. Moreover, weapons are commonly found
during arrests.
Not acquiring the proper protective equipment would be disregarding the safety of officers as
well as the public we are expected to serve and protect. Having said that, SLOPD is as
transparent as we can legally be in my opinion and the majority of the community acknowledges
this organization as one that is balanced and professional. As further testament to that belief,
your email I have received of its kind. That speaks very loudly and is a very positive sign.
Hope that helps. I'd be more than willing to discuss in person if you need further clarification.
BCC: City Council
Stephen Gesell
Chief of Police
Police Department
1042 Walnut Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 -2729
E s eg sell(a,slocity..org
T 805.781.7337
slocity.org
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Marx, Jan
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2014 5:15 AM
To: rschmidtgrain.org
Cc: Gesell, Steve
Subject: RE: Militarization of police -- public comment next meeting
Thank you for your message, Richard. It is my understanding that the use of the equipment is for
officer safety. However, I am not an expert in this regard. I am including the Police Chief in
this response, so that he can get back to both of us.
Jan Marx
Mayor
Office of the City Council
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 -3249 E jmarx@slocit "org T 805.781.7120
slocity.org
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From: rschmidtgrain.org [rschmidtgrain.org]
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2014 9:39 PM
To: Marx, Jan; dcaMengslocity.org; Ashbaugh, John; Smith, Kathy; Christianson, Carlyn;
Mejia, Anthony
Subject: Militarization of police -- public comment next meeting
Dear Council,
Reading about the militarization of our police department leaves me very uneasy about the
direction this city is going, and also asking "Why did the Council authorize something like this ?"
What is their need for an armored personnel carrier straight out of a war zone? What is their need
for all the body armor? And what are they going to do with 676 units of surveillance equipment?
Who do you plan to have them spy on?
Is this a police department for happy town, or an army to attack insurrections of the residents
against City Hall?
I think you owe the residents an explanation of what in the world this means and what you have
in mind by letting it happen.
Richard Schmidt