Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides streams today (6-28-20) at freakradio.org Students, BLM supporters, and FNB activists Take Back Freeway & Fences, 2-4-07 Flashback…Archives still Down, so tune in 9:30 AM-3 PM this morning

Sunday’s show from 6-14-20 is described   at http://huffsantacruz.org/wordpress/  but still unavailable as an archive.  It should be available soon at the usual spot: http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html.
City Council will be having a public-excluded (unless you have a tv or computer) key budget meeting, largely ignoring the Defund the Police demands on July 2nd with the agenda only to be announced 24 hours ahead of time.  Look for announced protest times on line and from those you know.

CURRENT EVENTS:

***  “Tough and Tender” Thomas Sketches Taskmaster Times at the Association of Faith Communities  Shelter***   Sutter Health Under Protest Ousts a Racist-Talking Nurse***   Hunger Strike at McGuire Correctional Facility Exposes Profiteering Commissary & Phone Prices***    Palo Alto Cop Thomas DeStaffano Sued for Assault, False Arrest, Ignoring Injuries, & False Police Report by Victim Julio Aravalo.

***  Chronicle Editorial Attacks California Attorney General Bacerra for Ducking Investigation in case of Sean Monterossa Shot by Vallejo Police.

***  The “Reforms” Chief Andy Mills Hasn’t Made and Doesn’t Mention https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2020/06/25/18834603.php  https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2020/06/25/18834603.php?show_comments=1#18834745

*** “Scope It Out” Scott Graham Warns of Police Budget Puffery on July 2nd at the “Special” City Council Meeting with No Agenda Available until July 1st.

***  Taking Back the Streets on July 21st with Food Not Bombs and the Coalition to Defund the SCPD

*** Denica De Foy’s “Defund Violence in Uniform” Update from Monterey
***  Threats in Seattle Against the Autonomous Zone; Chatter in Minneapolis Without Substantive Action   Windsor False Arrest in Sonoma County 2019 Sez LeMarcus McDonald;  Cops Kill Alameda Man Shelby Gattenby***   “Dusty Road” Darryl  Back in Santa Cruz with Ideas and Options***   Pre-2019 Cop Records of Lying and Violence Can Be Revealed in Last Year’s Court Decision

FLASHBACK TO SELECTIONS FROM THE 2-4-2007 BATHROBESPIERRE’S BROADSIDES SHOW

***   People’s Park Activist Dan McMullan in Court Defending the Free Box & Other Unhoused Resources

***   “Tactical Ice Cream Unit” Copwatch Presentation Up at UCSC with Berkeley Copwatch’s Andrea Prichard, Santa Cruz Mayor and ACLU Ringer Mike Rotkin

***   Caller Calls Out (Former) Chief Ranger John Wallace’s Whiplash Ways

Some Recent Archived Overflow Interviews Now Available at

http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html  

Recent Past Shows are Described at http://huffsantacruz.org/wordpress/
Many Earlier Shows are Described at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/brb-descriptions.html
Earliest Shows are Described at http://huffsantacruz.org/archivemain.html

Act Locally or Regret Later

  • Call in street reports to HUFF and the Free Radio Santa Cruz netshow back at 831-423-4833
  • Join Food Not Bombs [FNB], HUFF, and other local groups at the Daily Meal at the Laurel & Pacific seeking volunteers to pass on information and provide support. 
  • Eat and organize at FNB meals 1;30-5:30 weekdays, 4-6 Sat & Sun.
  • Demand Legislative Rubberstampers of City Manager Martin Bernal and County Potentates Restore Actual Public Meetings instead of Closed Door On-Line Charades.
  • Call City Hall (420-5020) and the Board of Supervisors (454-2200) or Rattle the Windows of these Toxic Pretenders where They Live to demand Defunding Police Agencies to secure safety & services.
  • Hit the streets to Insist that City Manager Bernal and Chief Mills stop the sweeps of homeless encampments–violating the CDC directive and halt $$ for these and other police terror sweeps.
  • Prepare for peaceful urgent Direct Action to enact these health & safety measures if City Manager Bernal, Mayor Cummings, and Chief Mills continue to Stall.
  • Resist Business and Corporate Pressure to Restore Massive Tourist “Business as Usual” in the midst of a Pandemic of Unknown Dimensions 
  • Prepare for the likely return of explicit anti-homeless police, business, and vigilante activity as “business-as-usual” resumes.

  • Check out resumed HUFF meetings Wed 11 AM at the Sub Rosa Cafe 703 Pacific (next meeting 7-1)
  • Demand “Bad News” Bernal Order His Cops to Stand off and Allow Homeless Activists to Reopen Camp Phoenix, remain where they are without molestation (stop the sweeps!), and/or allow for self-run triage zones (as at the Ross Camp site) now that Governor Newsom has declared that area surplus space to be designated for homeless use.
  • Pressure the City to provide support for vehicular residents, water for those in the Benchlands, portapotties for those in the Pogonip and the Levy, and decent survival services citywide.
  • Denounce the latest cosmetic “See, We Have Shelter” lie with the pathetic and all-in-the-same-room response of the Vet’s Hall, the Armory, and Laurel St instead of the needed and promised motel rooms.  These need to be provided BEFORE symptoms develop, BEFORE testing, TARGETING the most vulnerable but providing for all during the crisis.
  • Demand immediate transfer of money to shelter the many rather than provide an illusion by unsafely sheltering a few, while really providing protective cover to the City Council and Board of Supervisors for essentially doing nothing for the great majority and allowing Mills’ police-and-rangers to threaten campsites with seizure and arrest at will as police are the only large gang allowed to publicly assemble.
  • Contact Chief Mills at amills@cityofsantacruz.com  to demand fundamental changes such as that seized survival gear be available for reclaiming during regular business hours, not just 6 hours as week.  See https://www.indybay.org/uploads/2019/12/18/police_protest_flyer_12-18-19.pdf
  • Hold accountable City Hall NIMBY whenever they show up in public:  Mayor Justin Cummings, City Manager-for-Life Martin Bernal, His Wrecking Crew of Abuse Enablers Susie O’Hara and Megan Bunch, Police Chief Andy Mills, & City Attorney Tony Condotti  for Inciting the Ross Camp Destruction,  Subsequent Deaths, & the Friday Nov 15th Demolition of Camp Phoenix (the renewed Deseire Memorial Survival Encampment in back of Ross) with a campaign of lies to the community regarding “adequate shelter options”.
  • Remember Deseire Quintero–Killed by City Indifference, Negligence, and Malice in Closing the First Ross Camp Without Any Adequate Shelter!  Support Survival Campgrounds, Empty Building Takeovers This Plague Season Wherever They Happen.  Provide them with supplies.
  • Take peaceful action to open up buildings for Emergency Shelter as well as an end to harassment citation of folks surviving outside under “trespass on public property”, “closed area”, “public nuisance” and “blocking the sidewalk” pretexts;
  • Witness, oppose, and document police and ranger harassment using “closed areas”, “blocking the sidewalk”, “public nuisance”, “public trespass”, and “illegal lodging” to get around the Boise v. Martin “No shelter? No tickets!” decision.
  • Demand City Manager “Mangler” Martin Bernal and SCPD Police Chief  “Ambushmaster” Andy Mills account for their destruction of Camp Phoenix ignoring City Council’s required Standard Operating Procedures for closing encampments and violating their own admission that “trespass” could not be properly applied to the survival sleepers.  Remember the bad history so it’s not repeated!

·  Contact Alicia Kuhl  to find more direct and effective ways to support the next shelter-in-place encampments, legal challenges, and fundamental police change  throughout the City starved of food and survival gear at 831-431-7766.   DONATE SURVIVAL GEAR  & VOLUNTEER DURING THE CRISIS EVERY DAY AT FOOD NOT BOMBS Laurel & Front St. MEAL.

·  Document Homeless Discrimination & Sign Up for Direct Action to “Open the Bathrooms Now!” Action by contacting the SC Union, HUFF,  Conscience & Action, or the Give-A-Shit Campaign

·  Provide Direct Support to Survival Camps & Squats as City Council Ignores the Emergency; Skip the Poverty Pimp Entrepreneurs to give directly to Food Not Bombs, the Felker St. Footbridge Services, the SC Homeless Union and other real providers.

·  Post Your Documentation of Police and Ranger “Move Along” Mischief or Pass it on to BadAss Mama at 831-431-7766

·  Donate to Existing Homeless Encampments, NOT Poverty-Pimp Posturers– Survival Demands Blankets, Water, Tarps, Portapotties & Trash Pick-Up’s–and Deter Police Harassment by being On Call to Document It.

·  Additional Needs for Community Samaritans!–More Needs: Potable Water for Drinking, Laundry Access so Clothes Don’t Mildew, Electrical Phone-Charging Hook-up’s and More Space in Additional Spots, Monitor and Expose Cop Crackdowns

·  Support Food Not Bombs,  the Warming Center’s Day/Night Storage Program, HUFF, and independent homeless activists by documenting, providing resources, & publicizing the situation.

  •  Check out The Santa Cruz Community, Santa Cruz Homeless Advocates & Homeless Outside in Santa Cruz, Monterey County Homeless Advocates, SNAIL, HEART Disabled Homeless People,  Power Surge Tenants Rights, Bay Area Landless People’s Alliance, and more on Facebook..then go out and do something!
  •   Read Updates and Post Them on Santa Cruz Indymedia at https://www.indybay.org/santa-cruz/
  •   Exchange information with other supporters there to generate more communication and better solutions in the future.
  •   Listen in to Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides at freakradio.org Thursdays 6-8 PM, Sundays 9:30 AM- 3 PM
  •   Hear archived shows at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html .  Call in with street reports and commentary: 831-423-4833
  •   If you must, expropriate items from corporate & chain stores.  Don’t steal from vulnerable fellow homeless or local businesses!

REMINDER:   Free Radio Santa Cruz stands ready to dole out $300 for info leading to a 10′ X 10′ studio space with bathroom, internet, and electrical access–either indoors or out (we’ll build a structure).  We’re also seeking a transmitter space where we can put up an antenna–a backyard, a multistory home, a high tree–help us spread the word.   Help us so we can help you!

Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides netcast streams tonight 6-25-20 at 6 PM at freakradio.org: The Usual Chorus of Campers and Copwatchers plus Bryan Brown from Marysville–the Update

Coming as soon as the site is repaired—Check out the show at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html

New postings and interviews from the last few days at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html (repair pending)

ON TODAY’S SHOW

xxx Oakland City Council Gives Gesture, Denies Substance, to Defunding the Police
xxx Bits of Bad Bluebadge Bullying from Around the Nation
xxx Voices from the Santa Cruz Autonomous Zone–Scott, Nikki, Keith.
xxx  Backwoods Bryan Brown from the Independent Marysville Homeless Union
xxx  Katzenjammer Keith & Keithkeeper Kathleen on the Eve of the 6-21 Protest March

HUFF MEETING RETURNS TO THE SUB ROSA 11 AM Wednesday (6-24-20) 703 Pacific

The Sub Rosa Cafe announced it is reopening–at least for this meeting Wednesday.  11 AM — Coffee likely.  Likely topics: Fund Real Safety, Defund Police Violence, Status Report on the CDC-disapproved Group Shelters which are Santa Cruz’s main duck-and-dodge response to the Project Housekey funding, leaving hundreds of vulnerable houseless people at risk, Taking Back Public Spaces as Up-Scale Cafes Seize the Sidewalk, Challenging Martin Bernal’s Rule-By-Decree…and more…

The Agenda will be laid out in more detail. following a planned massive call-in to City Council today by the Coalition to Defund the SCPD and other groups at 6 PM.  Details at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2020/06/23/18834505.php (chatting with a Conscience-Deaf Council).

The HUFF website is currently under reconstruction.  Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides shows are still being netcast Thursdays 6-8 PM and Sundays 9:30 AM – 3 PM at freakradio.org but archives are generally unavailable.
No new Street Spirit newspapers yet, but bring your reports for rebroadcast on the net at Free Radio Santa Cruz (freakradio.org)

Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides streams today (6-21-20) at freakradio.org with No Flashbacks But Lots of Chatter–Archives are Down, so catch it at 9:30 AM-3 PM today or await repair developments. Meanwhile Vote with Your Feet Today!


A description of today’s show, which will ultimately be archived at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html  will be sent out later today or tomorrow. 

In the meantime, stop listening and hit the streets to make real change!   Check out the March to Defund the SCPD at 4 PM today beginning at Front and Laurel Sts.  https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2020/06/20/18834362.php

(A useless Zoomed City Council meeting on 6-23 has nothing on the agenda regarding any meaningful changes in police policy or budget as City Council ignores the ongoing protests and refuses to hold public meetings in the Civic where folks could distance and participate).


Sunday’s show from 6-14-20 will NOT be archived as usual at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html  until we can get the huffsantacruz.org website back in decent shape.  Sigh.  Volunteers who want to help me struggle with this should give me a call at 831-423-4833.

REMINDER:   Free Radio Santa Cruz stands ready to dole out $300 for info leading to a 10′ X 10′ studio space with bathroom, internet, and electrical access–either indoors or out (we’ll build a structure).  We’re also seeking a transmitter space where we can put up an antenna–a backyard, a multistory home, a high tree–help us spread the word.   Help us so we can help you!

Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides netcast streams tonight 6-18-20 at 6 PM at freakradio.org: Voices Aplenty Including Replays of Krohn and Glover, S.C. Shitty Council’s Oral Communications

Coming as soon as the site is repaired—Check out the show at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html

New postings and interviews from the last few days at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html (repair pending)

ON TODAY’S SHOW:

xxx “Katzenjammer” Keith’s Quick Update After a Postponed Court Date
xxx Around the Food Not Bombs Soup Kettle: Clinton, Jimmy D., Thomas M. & Ms. Nesbett

xxx After the Recall: Snatches from John Malkin’s Interview With Recall Victims Glover and Krohn (https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2020/06/14/18834229.php)
xxx More Community Conscience: More from the Oral Communications Explosion 6-9
xxx  Kathy D., Martha E, and Susan W. Say No to the Proposed Library Burial

The Questions Grow More Pressing by Robert Norse (rnorse3 [at] hotmail.com) Wednesday Jun 17th, 2020 1:14 PM

I’ve been persistently raising issues of police abuse with the SCPD. Most recently, I sent a letter to Chief Andy Mills with a variety of questions, following up on issues raised months (and often years) ago. He replied. I responded to his reply a few days ago. So far no reply. Mills’ letter reiterates my questions and gives his answers (AM). I respond with further questions (RN).

From: Andrew Mills
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2020 11:06 AM
To: Robert Norse
Cc: City Council
Subject: RE: Specific Proposals to Reforms the SCPD

Robert, you being critical of SCPD? Say it’s not so!

It’s your right and I expect you and others to hold the police accountable.

Please see my answers below.

From: Robert Norse [mailto:rnorse3 [at] hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2020 9:58 AM
To: Andrew Mills
Cc: City Council
Subject: Re: Specific Proposals to Reforms the SCPD

3 1/2 years ago we corresponded regarding a flyer I had written and was distributing critical of the SCPD’s policies and practices.

I intend to update that flyer in anticipation of upcoming protests regarding largely the same issues, plus some new ones arising from police behavior during the COVID-19″shelter-in-place” situation and your recent proposals increasing public restrictions in parks and elsewhere generally.

To be fair and accurate, I’m writing you to determine if there’s been any improvement you can make me aware of regarding the following issues:

Is the SCPD willing to “open the books” on “non-lethal force” use, specifically opening for public view police reports detailing the use of these devices with specifics to time, date, location, victim, officer, subsequent injury (if any),rationale, and any subsequent investigation?
AM: [We comply with all state law on this and the courts are the final judge as to the appropriateness of the use of this force. So the books are open. Some of what you ask for is a violation of law and policy in terms of the person has a right to privacy.]
RN:{The “right to privacy” has been improperly cited by arresting officers at a scene where many cops are confronting one person even when that person repeatedly asks what they’re being arrested or detained for. If the victim of the “non-lethal force [or arrest, citation, or detention]” agrees, why have you continued to allow officers to refuse to say why people are being arrested? Will you release documentation previously withheld regarding the specific circumstances around the use of force including time, place, identity of person and officer, extent of injuries, amount of hospitalization, etc.? Will you agree to immediately make such records available and require your officers to respond accurately and promptly to community questions in real time where there is no issue of “officer safety” present? Do you acknowledge this is not being done currently and is a cause for mistrust and distrust of the SCPD?}

Is the SCPD prepared to make public the police budgets of the last few years and itemize how the funds were spent? If this has already been done, please provide links to where the public can find this information.
AM: [The links are on the city budget and you are welcomed to search and find them just like any other citizen.]
RN:{Are you prepared to advocate for a reduction of all police appropriation for Fiscal Year 2021 regarding mental health stops and homeless stops, transferring that funding to social service agencies who can more properly and more professionally do a job they, not the police, were trained for? Will you provide an accounting of the amount of money spent on all stops under the infraction concerns raised by Councilmember Drew Glover in the spring of 2019, which finally reached City Council in the fall, but are still concealed from the public?}

Will you make available records of the last six months, detailing incidents of where more than 4 police officers converged on a “crime scene”? HUFF has received reports of half a dozen or more police officers arriving at a peaceful encampment, Pacific Ave., or Ross parking lot scene involving one or two “suspects”.
AM: [No. We don’t readily capture that information.]
RN:{Nonetheless are you willing to review the records to determine when such “shock and awe” “massive presence” policing has taken place? Or are you saying find out such information summaries are unavailable. If the latter, please make available all police reports not involving current investigations where more than two officers came to the scene for community scrutiny and we will do the work for you.}

How much “drug enforcement” money is the police receiving, say for the last three years?
AM: [Very Little, we don’t have a drug enforcement team.]
RN: {How little is “Very Little”? How much time and money is put into “cooperative efforts” with county, state, and federal prohibition agents on this issue?}

What percentage of the SCPD budget goes to drug enforcement?
AM:[Very little there is no specialized part of the budget for this.
RN:{Please provide costs of how much time and money has been spent going after suspects for drug use, sales, possession. Or are you again claiming such records “do not exist”?}If you have any records regarding the number of police incidents involving drug enforcement, please provide them. Do you keep such records?
AM:[No.]
RN:{However you have the ability to determine the cost and time involved surely.}

Incidentally, HUFF has heard positive reports recently of police helping a few recovering addicts access services. Good work.
AM:[Thanks that is our preferred method to reduce drug use is by dealing with addiction.]
RN: {Have you kept records of times police have provided such aid, or helped those outside to services, or fed them? I am not referring to giving out paper or verbal lists of allegedly accessible services which frequently have long or closed waiting lists, but to actual police physical assistance to disabled, hungry, sick, or otherwise vulnerable people such as recent police behavior giving out sandwiches.}

Please specify any military equipment, drone, face & license surveillance technology requested or received in the last three years by the SCPD.
AM:[None. We have used the Sheriff’s drones on two occasions.]
RN:{And the use of the “Bearcat”?}
How many police officers actually live within Santa Cruz City?
AM:[Numerous officers live in and close to SC. I am not sure of the actual numbers.The last we checked there were about 60% within 20 minutes of SC.]
RN:{Since officers living in the area they have power over is an important issue for many folks, please specify how many officers actually live within the city limits and how many in the County?}
How many within Santa Cruz County?
RN:{Surely you have these figures–make them public.}
Are you still asking City Council to pass your 7 point program, presented to various groups earlier this year?
AM:[Yes.]
RN: {Please estimate the number of officer hours and taxpayer dollars already spent on the victimless crimes whose categories you are asking to expand and how the predicted increase in both with your 7 points.}

Please provide specific records beginning in June 2019 through the present of all arrests made and citations given regarding violations of “closed area”, being in a park after dark, violations of the COVID-19 orders of any kind, blocking the sidewalk, public nuisance, or unlawful encampment?
AM:[You have asked for this numerous times and we have given it to you each time.This takes an incredible amount of time each time you ask. If you want this information again, please submit a CPRA through the formal process.]
RN:{I’m not aware you or any other police official has honestly assessed and provided to the community and Council a careful and accurate assessment of the amount of time and money spent in “homeless policing” of non-violent victimless psuedo-crime. Am I wrong?}

In order to dampen the “intimidation factor” and assure the public that selective enforcement is not happening, will the SCPD begin to require its officers to document all stops where police officers direct (i.e. warn) members of the public (and most relevantly homeless people) to “move along”?
AM:[We will comply with the new state law requiring us to capture the perceived sex,race and reasons for the stops per the law.]
RN:{Please answer the question: will the department as stated, not the minimum that the law currently requires.}

How many “calls for service” are police responding to regarding complaints about vehicular residents since June 2019?
AM:[Scores!]I believe the Northern California ACLU has already requested this information from you. Is the SCPD regularly advising those complaining about vehicular residents that false complaints are misdemeanors punishable by fine and jail?
AM:[They are valid complaints for the most part. Perception of what is and is not a crime is not always straight forward to most.]
RN:{On the basis of what statistics and reports are you stating that the “we don’t want that van parked in our neighborhood” calls are “valid complaints”?

}Is the SCPD (and in particular retired police vigilante Joe Haebe) been direct to stop chalking tires as part of the 72-hour enforcement policy, which violates the 4th amendment according to the Michigan courts?
AM:[I don’t respond to comments like that Robert. If you want serious answers be a serious person. Joe is not a vigilante but doing a difficult job. He has been kind, patient and long suffering. Calling him a vigilante]
RN:{Sorry, Andy, Haebe is regarded by numerous vehicular dwellers I’ve spoken to as a vigilante who has made it his mission to harass poor people in cars out of the neighborhoods. I repeat the question: have you directed your officers to (a) advise all callers wanting to use the 72-hour law to “move long” vehicle dwellers that false complaints are misdemeanors? Have you advised your officers to stop using chalking or painting–a vandalistic device–as a basis for claiming violations of the 72-hour law?Just answer the questions directly, please.}

Will the police department resume reporting race and class stats (i.e. when a person has a 115 Coral St., transient, or homeless designation) on its citation/arrest summaries, as it has refused to do for the last three years? Will it allow access to these records to the general public as required by the Public Records Act?
AM:[How does one report class?]
RN:{By providing the addresses of those cited when requested to do so without elaborate delay and obstructive requirements.}
AM:[We have provided more information to you than any department in this region.]
RN:{Again, please answer the question directly and stop ducking: will you transfer the racial data indicated on citations into summaries released to the Council and public? At a time of angry concerns about racial profiling, this seems to me to be a very important step}

Please provide a record of all detentions from 1-1-19 to the present including grace and class stats, since your 2017 response below indicates you keep such records.
AM:[We collect and report out race data.]
RN:Please provide a summary of citations indicating race for January 1 through December 31 of last year: THIS IS A PUBLIC RECORDS ACT REQUEST.
AM:[What class do you want?]
RN: {It’s difficult to believe you aren’t clear on this, the class of unhoused people is indicated by the words “transient”, “115 Coral St.” or (less certainly) a general P.O. Box.}
AM:[How do you define class.]
RN:{That’s how.}
AM:[What class are you in?]
RN:{Just provide the data, please.}

My thanks for any police help (including sandwich distribution) helping homeless people in existing encampments and assistance to those in San Lorenzo Park. The great majority, of course, are in the Pogonip and elsewhere, much of the area within SCPD jurisdiction. Help there including trash pick-up’s, portapotty access, wash station availability, electrical charging, and drinkable water is badly needed. Will the SCPD be helping to facilitate this aid?
AM:[Ask the County to. It is their job! Your efforts are misplaced. As intelligent and educated you are I am shocked it has taken you this long to understand it is the county’s responsibility to provide for the homeless.]
RN:{Will you publicly support a transfer of funding from what is admittedly a huge police budget for a city our size to social services that actually serve these appropriate functions and run by the City?}

Please provide a listing of all white-collar crime citations and/or arrests made in2019, since you assure us this is a concern of yours.
AM:[File the proper request.]
RN:{How about an informal accounting to assure the Community that the department is actually engaged in such behavior?}

What particular mutual aid style arrangements has the SCPD made with other agencies, state, federal, county, and private regarding mutual assistance in the event of protest activity or broad citizen resistance (say, to COVID-19enforcement)? Your prior answer to this was vague.
AM:[There are no agreements.]
RN:{So the Oakland Expeditionary Force was just a fluke, a one-off, a random event? Please clarify under what authority you sent armed officers north, what controls they operated under, whether the SCPD is ready to do something similar when another department asks for assistance in “controlling protests”.}

Regarding police access to surveillance devices that regularly record lawful community activity, you still have not clarified where these devices are located.Will you make this information publicly available (for instance, around City Hall,or at the SCPD HQ itself)?
AM:[We have only deployed LPR’s to combat gang shootings. They have stopped for now.]
RN:{By surveillance devices, I’m speaking of any fixed devices placed or maintained with public funding surveying public property which video or audio the public engaged in lawful activities. Again, please don’t duck the question, but specify where such devices are currently operational.}

Thanks for making some of the Sean Arlt documentation available on your Transparency Portal athttp://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-departments/police/transparency-portal/sean-arlt-ois-investigation . Does this include all the Arlt video, audio, and witness report documentation?
AM:[Read it and let me know.]
RN:{How would I know what documentation the SCPD has but has not released?This is another example of an unresponsive answer. If you want to restore trust with the community , you must show transparency and accountability. To get respect, you must be respectworthy.}

Please clarify what prevents you from revealing the extent of ICE/SCPD disclosure as requested three years ago.
AM:[I have told you and others numerous times. We do NOT have a relationship with ICE. Period! It’s really frustrating to answer the same questions repeatedly. Because in your mind there has to be a relationship via conspiracy theory does not make it true.]
RN:{You have not provided the documentation of prior intimate involvement with ICE under Chief Vogel as requested, nor have you disclosed correspondence between ICE and the SCPD regarding the abusive conduct of the department and ICE in the spring of 2017. Please do so.}

Accurate and timely information on these issues is most helpful in assuring that
truthful matter is distributed when concerns are raised about SCPD behavior and
policy.]

RN:{If your practices have changed since you made your responses, please indicate that so we can proceed forward. “Bending a knee” and leading a MLK parade means very little if you aren’t being transparent and accountable in day-to-day police practices.}

RN New Question:{In the wake of current protests, demands on other cities, and responses from some police departments, will you commit yourself to a local response to demands being made nationally to fundamentally alter institutional brutality that has become business-as-usual for many departments?}

RN:{This would include a significant shifting of SCPD jurisdiction from dealing with emotional behavioral crises, poverty “crimes”, and other areas to community agencies better trained and equipped as well as less prone to violence.}

RN New Question:{Will you publicly support and lobby for full disclosure of SCPD disciplinary records of police officers both current, applying, and past—so that “bad apple” cops won’t simply be shifted around from jurisdiction to jurisdiction (as happened for instance in the case of Officer David LaFaver some years back.}

RN New Question:{In the wake of the current protests, demands on other cities, and responses from some police departments, I would ask whether you will commit yourself to full disclosure of SCPD disciplinary records for excessive force complaints both for police applicants.} I’m sure you appreciate that.Hope to hear from you soon.
AM:[I am not going to play 1,000 questions and responses with you Robert. If you want a limited amount of time to discuss that is fine, but there are more people than you in this city of 66K who want and need help and information. We average 54 CPRAs per month. It is an enormous amount of work with very limited staff. COVID has not helped and potential furloughs will hurt us further.]

RN:{It would be easier for me and perhaps others to be more sympathetic to the needs and limitations of your department if you actually provided candid and full answers to the questions raised. That might be the first step towards a new beginning.}

Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides 6-14-20 is now archived and described on line: Flood of Interviews: Kuhl, McHenry, Aguirre, Dreamcatcher, Merryweather, Graham, White, and Denney Flashback to January 29, 2004

Sunday’s show from 6-14-20 is archived at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html  

CURRENT EVENTS:

***  2nd Half of “Kick-Ass” Kuhl’s Interview on Outside Legal and Lifestruggle Matters*** “Katzenjammer” Keith McHenry Sketches the Scene from the Daily Survival Center*** “Rest Easy” Robert Aguirre Pinpoints Problems and Prospects in San Jose***  Yuppies Move on SF Tenderloin Sidewalk Survivors; Activists Shout Back: https://hoodline.com/2020/06/uc-hastings-students-alumni-warn-lawsuit-could-increase-police-force-against-unhoused   https://www.donoharmcoalition.org/prevent-spread-of-covid-19-among-unhoused-people.html  ​https://www.scribd.com/document/464081011/Open-letter-finaL-for-Press-1

***  Vignettes from Pacific Ave. with A Vendor Voice, Dreamcatcher, and Merryweather Mike

***  “Scope It Out” Scott Graham Deconstructs “Puff ‘n Posture” Police Chief Andy Mills Q & A Session

*** “Whip ’em Into Shape” Wes White Reviews Salinas Outsiders Under the Pandemic

***  Rage Rocks City Council’s “One Minute Only” Oral Communications Period (6-9)

*** “Cornerstone” Carol Denney Zeroes in on Breaking the Berkeley Bastille

FLASHBACK TO the January 29, 2004 Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides Show–When Free Radio was in Full Flower

      ^^^  1-28 Joe & the Street Strummers…Black Street Spiritualist Jason Paschal Accosted for Medical Marijuana…Cosmic Chris Ducking the Dick Tracys

      ^^^  Tuneful Mike True on new organization SAFE (Society for Artistic Freedom and Expression)

      ^^^  Mathew and Pregnant Wife Expelled from Homeless (Lack of) Services Center (now”Housing Matters”)

      ^^^  Steve Argue and Norse Review Sgt. “Sticky Fingers” Butchie (Loren) Baker’s SCPD Record

      ^^^  Bashful Bernard Klitzner Weighs in on the Council’s Condition

      ^^^  Attorney Catnip Kate Wells vs Decorum Dogma on Allowed Speech at City Council

      ^^^  Roadside Rapper Kevin Metz, Alpha, & Glee; Music on Shamisen

      ^^^  Millie the Van Dweller Pushing Petitions for Pay;

      ^^^  Native American Flautist Daniel Johnson Driven Away by St. George residents above Bookshop
Most Recent Archived Overflow Interviews at

http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html  

Recent Past Shows are Described at http://huffsantacruz.org/wordpress/
Many Earlier Shows are Described at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/brb-descriptions.html
Earliest Shows are Described at http://huffsantacruz.org/archivemain.html

Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides netcast streams tonight 6-11-20 at 6 PM at freakradio.org: City Council Ignores the Rising Tide of Revolt against Privilege and Power in the SCPD in Santa Cruz

Check out the show at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html

New postings and interviews from the last few days at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html

ON TODAY’S SHOW

xxx “Scope It Out” Scott Graham Casts a Baleful Gaze on Last Tuesday’s Shitty Council Meet
xxx Actually Retaking the Streets in Seattle: the CHAZ (Capital Hill Autonomous Zone)
xxx Community Conscience: a Tiny Slice of the Oral Communications Explosion 6-9
xxx Activist Alicia Kuhl Reviews the Latest Attacks on Vehicular Residents

HUFF Contact Meeting on 6-10 usually held at Food Not Bombs meal at Laurel and Front St. postponed. Info Update likely to be posted soon. A few previews of talk and actions to come….

Homeless United for Friendship & Freedom

UPDATES ON ONGOING ISSUES  6-10-20

  • Taking Basics Forward—Solidarity with Anti-Police Abuse Movement (Calls to Defund Police Violent Tactics and Resources): HUFF meeting to be rescheduled.
  • New Solidarity Prospects:  Direct Action Crowd Calling-Out-the-Perps: Visiting Mayor, City Manager, City Council, Department Heads at Work and at Home with Demands
  • New Petitions on Line...Call-In, Drive-By, and Vote-with-your-feet Protests…
  • Significance of City Council’s “Business As Usual” Silence Last Night:  Responding with Direct, Creative, and Non-Violent Action
  • Letter to Councilmember Sandy Brown: https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2020/06/09/18834065.php

Some Questions for Sandy Brown and the City Council

An e-mail sent to Councilmember Sandy Brown will likely result in no action at City Council. More seriously, the Council, which has ultimately control of the police through the City Manager, needs to be forced to confront long-standing SCPD issues that are of a piece with demands on departments across the nation.   Sections of it are reprinted here. 

TODAY’S COUNCIL MEETING WITH NOTHING ON THE AGENDA REGARDING POLICE MISCONDUCT

The regular Council meeting begins at 2 PM and takes place in ghostly fashion by Zoom with no real meaningful public participation (though this is usually the case during their in-person appearances as well). Oral Communications is at 6 PM.   To call in for the crumbs of 2 minutes speaking time at Oral Communication, check out the phone numbers (and the agenda) at https://scsire.cityofsantacruz.com/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=1365&doctype=AGENDA for the phone numbers.

The on-line agenda has nothing which responds to the protests that have rocked the City in the last two weeks.

 I sent it around 8 am. I’ve received no response.

Brown has the option to raise any issue as an emergency matter (though it requires additional votes and an emergency finding).

She and other Councilmembers need to be confronted where they work and where they live to demand they take action. Massed people power finally provides the voice that deaf politicians have to hear whether they want to or not these days.


MAYOR CUMMINGS SETS THE AGENDA, CAN CALL MEETINGS

Cummings elected with Progressive student and tenant votes betrayed his constituency. Witness his long silence on the Glover and Krohn recalls, his refusal to press for just eviction protections or even landlord data, the sell-out of the homeless repeatedly, and his refusal to hold police accountable for fences, sweeps, and a roster of abuses (See “Rein in the SCPD with Real Community Controls” at https://www.indybay.org/uploads/2020/06/04/scan_20200604.pdf.

His recent postures to “cool protester anger at the police station and “bending a knee” with Chief Mills are more acts of betrayal attempting to co-opt a vital movement.

Of course, the real power in the city is City Manager Martin Bernal, who will never be held accountable until the community votes with its feet and voices to do so.


FOR THE TEXT OF THE E-MAIL GO TO:  https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2020/06/09/18834065.php