HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRR 20198 Perry - Communications resulting from Arrata charges
Christian, Kevin
From:Patrick Perry <commissionerperry@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday,
To:CityClerk
Subject:Re: Your comments to the SLO City Council concerning Tianna Arata and recent
protests in the City
Dear City Clerk....if I had wanted your opinion about the police department response to the protest on the freeway I
probably would have asked for it. I am not really interested in your high power consultant press release...So let's try
this..... Please consider this a Freedom of Information Request for all correspondence, whether email,
correspondence or communications of any kind whether by email, text, tweet or otherwise between any and all people
related to or in any way related to the police department decision to ask for felony charges against Ms. Arrate. And
especially I would request any and all communication of any type whatsoever between any member of City Government
(Council, Mayor, all City Departments, etc) related to the decision to arrest Arrata and my correspondence with the
City....I noted that you said on your email to me that there were 29 BCC's.... so please don't try to pretend there is
nothing......
As the City Clerk..... please try to perform your duties without being the lapdog of the SLOPD....If there is a form I need
to submit...please send it to me....while I no longer live in the city of SLO I do still pay property taxes there.....
Thank you
Patrick J. Perry
On Tue, Aug 18, 2020 at 5:50 PM CityClerk <CityClerk@slocity.org> wrote:
Thank you for sharing your concerns with the City of San Luis Obispo regarding Tianna Arata and
st
the July 21 protest. A copy of your message has been provided directly to the City Council. The
City of San Luis Obispo is committed to providing a safe environment for the free expression of First
Amendment rights. Not only do all voices have a right to be heard, but free speech is a fundamental
aspect of our democratic system of government.
The role of the City and its Police Department must balance these rights with the need to keep the
community safe when public actions move from civil and nonviolent to unlawful and dangerous, as
was the case on July 21. During a protest on July 21, 2020 two individuals, Tianna Arata and Elias
Bautista were arrested and subsequently released from the San Luis Obispo county jail.
After completing its investigation, the San Luis Obispo Police Department determined probable
cause existed to refer the case to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office. The District
Attorney has begun their review and will determine if criminal charges should be filed, and if so,
whether felony, misdemeanor or infraction filings are appropriate. The City will fully support the
results of this independent investigation.
This process creates checks and balances that allow the police to make real time decisions to
protect public safety and the District Attorney to ensure that prosecutions proceed only in the interest
of justice after careful evaluation of the events in question. Our goal is always to maintain a safe
environment for all community members, including protesters, and others who may be in the
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surrounding area. Our police officers have received special training to de-escalate situations where
a crowd could become dangerous. Force of any kind is used only as a last resort.
We understand that not all community members will support every action taken by law enforcement
during a protest. Please know that we appreciate your feedback and remain committed to protecting
your rights.
We have posted additional information related to the topics raised in your message on the city’s
website, including the Police Department’s de-escalation and use of force policies and city actions to
promote diversity, equity and inclusion. If you would like to get updates on these and other city
issues, please sign up to receive the city’s email newsletter. You can find out when the City Council
is scheduled to discuss issues of interest to you by signing up to receive agendas by email as well.
City Clerk’s Office
City Administration
City Clerk's Office
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3249
E cityclerk@slocity.org
T 805.781.7100
slocity.org
Bcc: 29 respondents
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