HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/04/25 Public Hearing Items - eComments 2023-04-25 Public Hearing Items - eComments
MeetingDate AgendaItem Name Comment Position
4/25/2023 17:00 Military Equipment Use Policy: Consider the Annual AB 481
Military Equipment Report, Review Existing Military Equipment
Ordinance, and Amend the Military Equipment Policy, as
Appropriate
Lois K Klepin I am concerned that the acquisition and use of military-grade
equipment by Chula Vista Police will not reduce crime, but will
result in the creaƟon of a community of fear.
I am also concerned that using military-grade equipment will
lead to increased violence against police officers.
Please slow down the process of obtaining weapons of war
and allow time for the community to consider ways to
eliminate unintended consequences.
Oppose
4/25/2023 17:00 Military Equipment Use Policy: Consider the Annual AB 481
Military Equipment Report, Review Existing Military Equipment
Ordinance, and Amend the Military Equipment Policy, as
Appropriate
Kathy Hardy Once again, the City is putting the cart before the horse!
When did it become appropriate for the City to skip the
important requirements for community members to review
CVPDs Military Equipment Report or participate in a
community engagement hearing before approving this
ordinance? This defiance of the rules does nothing to enhance
transparency or build trust with community members.
Effective partnerships between CVPD and community
stakeholders requires an open dialogue. This is an essential
step in trust building. The militarization of policing across
America is making many feel that local police agencies are at
war with their residents. This current lack of transparency in
CV gives credence to this belief! What do the CVPD and City
leaders fear by following a collaborative model as opposed to a
back door deal? I am asking for the City Council to follow the
standards set by AB 481 instead of ramming another ill-
conceived dictate down our throats!
Oppose
2023-04-25 Public Hearing Items - eComments
4/25/2023 17:00 Military Equipment Use Policy: Consider the Annual AB 481
Military Equipment Report, Review Existing Military Equipment
Ordinance, and Amend the Military Equipment Policy, as
Appropriate
Brenda Aguirre As a resident of the Southbay border region of San Diego, I
understand how the constant over-policing, militarization, and
surveillance has negatively impacted our community for years.
The city has been quietly approving the purchase of military
equipment through the council's consent calendar and
accepting private donations with little public scrutiny or
oversight. The emphasis on militarizing our police force goes
against our city's values and our now lapsed designation as a
certified welcoming city. It's crucial to regulate police
acquisition of military equipment, as studies have shown that
the militarization of police departments leads to an increase in
civilian deaths. Military police teams are also more often
deployed, and communities of color do not approve of this
policy without an extended period of public vetting. Therefore,
it's essential to have a more transparent and inclusive process
when implementing these policies.
Oppose
4/25/2023 17:00 Military Equipment Use Policy: Consider the Annual AB 481
Military Equipment Report, Review Existing Military Equipment
Ordinance, and Amend the Military Equipment Policy, as
Appropriate
Wendy
Gelernter
I oppose the military equipment report and request that
Council members conduct due diligence before the addition of
even more military equipment to the Citys arsenal.
Chula Vista still has not implemented Privacy policies or
formed the Privacy Advisory Commission recommended six
months ago by the community experts on the Privacy Task
Force. Meanwhile surveillance technology, armored vehicles,
assault rifles, teargas, less lethal launchers and munitions, and
other weaponry may be used against members of our
community, without protections for our civil liberties and
safety. This is just wrong morally, economically and for public
safety.
Oppose
2023-04-25 Public Hearing Items - eComments
4/25/2023 17:00 Military Equipment Use Policy: Consider the Annual AB 481
Military Equipment Report, Review Existing Military Equipment
Ordinance, and Amend the Military Equipment Policy, as
Appropriate
Pati Ruiz I urge Councilmembers to allow us, Chula Vista citizens, more
time to review the Military Equipment annual report. Studies
show that Police militarization fails to keep officers safe or
prevent violence or harm in communities. Please do not
approve this without an expanded period of robust public
vetting of the policy.
Oppose
4/25/2023 17:00 Military Equipment Use Policy: Consider the Annual AB 481
Military Equipment Report, Review Existing Military Equipment
Ordinance, and Amend the Military Equipment Policy, as
Appropriate
Justin Akers Chula Vista City Council: I am a longtime resident of Chula
Vista and am very disturbed and disappointed that you are
greenlighting an endless series of processes that are creating a
militarized police dept. From surveillance technologies, drones
that constantly fly over my neighborhood and house, to now
pushing through a policy to allow for more procurement of
military equipment and technology that will do nothing to
provide safety and security, but will lead to further erosion
and violation of rights of community members. Why are you
rushing this through passage, and without any community
engagement or scrutiny? Where is the most recent annual
report on the use of existing military equipment that you are
required to publish? Why are you turning Chula Vista into a
laboratory of militarization and surveillance? Why is there no
end to this buildup? Why are you so eager to turn the CVPD
into a functional military? Do not move forward with shady,
non-transparent process. Why not establish privacy and civil
rights protections instead (in the form of ordinances & an
independent Privacy Advisory Commission)? Show the people
of Chula Vista that you have concern for their rights, that you
are not opportunists looking to cash in to the arms and
surveillance corporations that are clearly driving this, and are
not willing to let the rights to privacy and civil rights be
trampled by allowing the police become an occupational and
surveilling force in our communities and neighborhoods.
Oppose
2023-04-25 Public Hearing Items - eComments
4/25/2023 17:00 Military Equipment Use Policy: Consider the Annual AB 481
Military Equipment Report, Review Existing Military Equipment
Ordinance, and Amend the Military Equipment Policy, as
Appropriate
Margaret
Baker
Our Council must not approve Agenda Item 7.1 without
changes to the proposed AB 481 policy: in particular, it must
modify the proposed policy to comply with AB 48. Currently it
fails to include limits on use of chemical agents & impact
projectiles for crowd control, compliance with a law
enforcement directive & other AB 48 provisions. The inventory
sections on projectile launchers & chemical agents do not
meet the requirements of Gov Code Sects 12525.2, 13652 &
13652.1 (AB 48) prohibiting the use of chemical agents or
impact projectiles to disperse any assembly, protest, or
demonstration, to force compliance with a police order,
enforce a curfew or in response to a verbal threat.
The militarization of our police is the antithesis to our citys
purported values. The blanket adoption of the use policies and
acquisition of military equipment in Chula Vista must STOP.
City Council is responsible for scrutinizing each type of
equipment for its use and impact. No more blanket approval of
the PD plans. South Bay People Power demands a proper
vetting process with time for community engagement and
revisions to this critical Report and the Use Policies and
Procedures.
Oppose
4/25/2023 17:00 Military Equipment Use Policy: Consider the Annual AB 481
Military Equipment Report, Review Existing Military Equipment
Ordinance, and Amend the Military Equipment Policy, as
Appropriate
Sophia
Rodriguez
Please minimize/reduce the purchasing of military equipment. Oppose