Tag Archives: City of SC

Council Committee Forwards Bag of Bigotry to Full Council to Rubberstamp What SCPD is Doing Anyway

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http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2013/01/29/18730942.php?show_comments=1#18731013

  on the Public Safety Committee meeting of Tuesday Night by Robert Norse  (See web story above)

Wednesday Jan 30th, 2013 9:13 AM

I spent half my time outside the meeting interviewing folks–interviews to be played Thursday 6-8 PM (some of them anyway).

So I missed the final vote, but it seems from the (often questionable) coverage of the Sentinel that not only did the Public Safety Committee rubberstamp the staff’s homeless-hostile and “more cops, less sanity” hysteria-happy agenda, but the City Attorney on secret vote from the Council

I assume the vote was unanimous, though I won’t be sure until I speak with others who were in the room when it was taken (or when I play the tape on Thursday evening and/or Sunday morning).

Quite slimey was the secrecy of the Committee and other members of the Council (like Micah Posner) who didn’t mention the key fact that the Council directed Posner in closed session to shut down a residential needle exchange site. I assume no one in the crowd was aware of it–though it happened yesterday according to the following Sentinel article.

This kind of “creeping criminalization”, which sounds like it’s out of the playbook of Deputy-Chief Steve Clark, and may be a form of abusive “reefer madness”-style Drug Warrioring which is a real step backwards.

I regret that indybay chose to remove a comment critical of me, whose author was straightforward enough to give his name. I encourage those who are not just trolling, but seriously in dispute, to leave comments on the HUFF website under the comment sections at http://www.huffsantacruz.org .

I also appreciate the support from those who like my reporting.

It’s true I mix opinion and fact in my commentaries–but I don’t hide that fact and don’t apologize for it either. Someday when I grow more skillful (probably never), I may be able to use the “facts speak for themselves” approach.. Trouble is that I feel so strongly about my conclusions, that I always have to stick them in, if not lead with them. Still I think these articles are helpful.

The Sentinel story is at http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_22478511/santa-cruz-shuts-down-longtime-needle-exchange-site

Tasty Survival Soup

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Chow Down with Tasty Survival Soup

Compliments of Jumbogumbo Joe Schultz of India Joze Restaurant

Tuesday 7 PM December 11th

Outside City Council Chambers 809 Center St.

Last Council Meeting of the Year Ignores Winter Shelter Emergency

Wander inside as the Old City Council pats itself on the back and the New City Council makes speeches and takes office. The Councilthen adjournsto warm beds until January 8th, leaving 90% of the homeless community without shelter and illegal if they make it themselves.

Pamela Comstock, Cynthia Mathews, and Micah Posner take office replacing Katherine Beiers, Tony Madrigal, and Ryan Coonerty during the evening session of City Council.

8-8:30 PM (time uncertain)

Civic Auditorium 307 Church St.

Schmooze with shady politicians & mangling media

Share coffee & snacks across the street in the Civic

Fight the Crackdown, Ticketing, & Property Seizures

Demand A Ceasefire in the Winter War Against the Homeless Community

Demand ACTION to increase shelter this winter, let homeless people legally shelter themselves somewhere, provide legal overnight park-and-sleep places for those in vehicles, and rein in abusive police officers and vigilante attacks.

When the Council takes NO ACTION…

Organize independently for survival and self-defense.

Don’t roll over for brutality and bigotry!

Bring Sleeping Bags, Blankets, Cameras, and Friends.

BRING BACK SANTA CRUZ

Flier by Norse of HUFF (Homeless United for Friendship & Freedom) 423-4833 www.huffsantacruz.org 309 Cedar PMB #14B S.C. 12-6-12




See also “Taste the Tedium & Terror Tuesday” at




http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/12/07/18727411.php?show_comments=1#18727412

Taste the Tedium and Terror Tuesday at City Council’s Coronations and Chowdown

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Title: Taste the Tedium and Terror Tuesday at City Council’s Coronations and Chowdown
START DATE: Tuesday December 11
TIME: 7:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location Details:
Outside City Council Chambers 809 Center St.
Event Type: Protest
City Council’s last meeting of the year traditionally features a series of speeches by outgoing Councilmembers and a second series by incoming ones. After that, the Council in the past has retired across the street to sample deserts and drinks. They have to invite the public because the Brown Act requires that when a majority of the Council gathers, the public needs to be there as well. In order to provide more dietary backbone to the frilly deserts usually offered at the Civic afterwards (also free traditionally), Jumbogumbo Joe Schultz has generously agreed to provide some hot sustaining soup.

The “Oral Communications” doghouse period will be at or near 5 PM, though presumably there’ll be opportunities to buttonhole Councilmembers while they munch at the Civic after the speeches sometime between 7:30 and 8:30. The flyer attached describes some of the issues the Council is ignoring throughout the winter while its police dutifully continue their Homeless Cleansing Campaign downtown.

Additional Note: Consent Agenda Item #15 Locust Parking Garage Restroom Improvement plan intends to transform the current public restrooms there to semi-open ones similar to those at the Soquel Parking Garage across from New Leaf. Does anyone like the”police peep while you pee” bathrooms better? I sure don’t. This item is on the 3 PM Agenda for those interested. See the staff report at http://www3.cityofsantacruz.com/sirepub/cache/2/etwy1a55ylysjamcluwvj145/36691731207201208164690.PDF .

Added to the calendar on Friday Dec 7th, 2012 8:18 AM

iCal Import this event into your personal calendar.

§Text of the Flyer

by Robert Norse Friday Dec 7th, 2012 8:20 AM
Chow Down with Tasty Survival Soup
Compliments of Jumbogumbo Joe Schultz of India Joze Restaurant

Tuesday 7 PM December 11th
Outside City Council Chambers 809 Center St.

Last Council Meeting of the Year Ignores Winter Shelter Emergency
Wander inside as the Old City Council pats itself on the back and the New City Council makes speeches and takes office. The Council then adjourns to warm beds until January 8th, leaving 90% of the homeless community without shelter and illegal if they make it themselves.
Pamela Comstock, Cynthia Mathews, and Micah Posner take office replacing Katherine Beiers, Tony Madrigal, and Ryan Coonerty during the evening session of City Council.

8-8:30 PM (time uncertain)
Civic Auditorium 307 Church St.
Schmooze with shady politicians & mangling media
Share coffee & snacks across the street in the Civic

Fight the Crackdown, Ticketing, & Property Seizures
Demand A Ceasefire in the Winter War Against the Homeless Community

Demand ACTION to increase shelter this winter, let homeless people legally shelter themselves somewhere, provide legal overnight park-and-sleep places for those in vehicles, and rein in abusive police officers and vigilante attacks.

When the Council takes NO ACTION…
Organize independently for survival and self-defense.
Don’t roll over for brutality and bigotry!
Bring Sleeping Bags, Blankets, Cameras, and Friends.

BRING BACK SANTA CRUZ
Flier by Norse of HUFF (Homeless United for Friendship & Freedom) 423-4833 http://www.huffsantacruz.org 309 Cedar PMB #14B S.C. 12-6-12

Comments  (Hide Comments)

by Gemma Wolf

Sunday Dec 9th, 2012 4:07 PM

This sounds unbelievably boring. Are you really going to it? Are you really going to stage a protest? Sounds like a crazy waste of time, but good luck. Hopefully, you’ll have more than two attendees to support you and carry signs, so you don’t look like the lone silly lunatic in the place.

by Robert Norse

Monday Dec 10th, 2012 11:43 AM

Folks on Pacific Avenue, the levee, and in the Pogonip have been suffering from property seizures, move-alongs, harassment tickets, and “get out of town” style bullying, according to reports I’m getting

I’m planning to bring complaint forms to document the harassment and create at least paper consequences for some of the cops involved (and indirectly for the policies).

I’m also suggesting people use the time to speak out to each other, share contact information, and organize.

No guarantees anything will happen—but at least there’ll be food. It’s not really about the City Council at all, except it’s also true it’s their last meeting of the year, and they’re doing nothing, other than maintaining the same bad laws, policies, and personnel they’ve always had.

Plus, of course, the (outgoing) Mayor (Lane) had a “smart solution Summit” that made no mention of immediate emergency shelter, campgrounds, or safe parking spaces nor a let-up in the criminalization of the homeless for the overwhelming majority of homeless people in Santa Cruz. And there’ll be a 5 PM Public Safety (sic) Committee meeting on Monday the 17th to consider further harassment of the homeless in response to the needles-and-feces crowd. Oh, and the incoming Mayor (Bryant) hasn’t moved to press for any restoration of the SCPD discarded bikes being given to the Bike Church instead of the more upscale Bryant-spouse connected for-profit Bike Dojo. Or so I am reliably informed. (Bryant still refuses to make her Council e-mails public).

These are all matters than be discussed face-to-face with the Council gang as they munch out at the Civic.

I’ve confirmed with Lane that the feed in the Civic will be happening; incoming Councilman Micah Posner has extended a hearty welcome to homeless people and anyone else who wants to come.

by Robert Norse

Monday Dec 10th, 2012 2:50 PM

To file an Internal Affairs Complaint (or at least get the form to do so), go to http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=9334 . You then download it, fill it out, and go into the copshop M-Th 9 AM – 4 PM. I’d advise asking for a stamped dated copy to prove you’ve filed it. I’m not clear if they require ID.

I don’t advise people to file these complaints with any expectation of having one sustained. Rather they establish a record of what has happened (not available to the public unless you publicize your copy) and are available to defense attorneys in court cases that challenge the credibility or violence of officers. Last I heard, they remain in the files for 5 years.

Property owners for securing property seized by police have been expanded, according to Sara at 420-5800 X3. The hours are now Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM.

by Robert Norse

Wednesday Dec 12th, 2012 10:51 PM

Tomorrow on Free Radio Santa Cruz, I’ll be playing a bit of audio, including an angry interview with the owner of the Bike Dojo between 6 and 6:30 PM at 101.3 FM, streams at http://tunein.com/radio/FRSC-s47254/. To catch archives of the show (and others) go to http://www.huffsantacruz.org and look under “Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides”. Call in at 427-3772 if you have any thoughts.

Santa Cruz library board delays suspension policy changes

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J.M. Brown

Santa Cruz Sentinel:   11/05/2012SANTA CRUZ — The library board agreed Monday to push two controversial issues to its Dec. 5 meeting to get legal advice on a patron suspension policy and replacing a citizen board member.

The proposed patron policy changes allow for staff to suspend someone for up to a year after a series of warnings.

Current rules allow only for a 30-day suspension, after which the next step was to seek a temporary restraining order. Staff now would be able to suspend a patron up to six months or a year after a fourth violation of conduct rules, and there are ways to appeal.

The changes also ban using the library for sleeping. Landers said the rule is not meant to punish those who doze off while reading, but rather those who come to sleep for long periods of time. The new rules also empower staff to remove unattended items, such as backpacks.

The rules also clarify provisions for animals — dogs or miniature horses — that provide emotional support to patrons. The proposed rules would require staff to ask what kind of service or support the animal provides.

Santa Cruz County Supervisor Ellen Pirie objected to the rule, saying the question could violate personal privacy by forcing a patron to disclose a disability.

“I agree you need to ask, ‘Is this a service animal?’ It’s the next step that I’m not sure is wise,” Pirie said.

Landers said identifying the purpose the animal services reduces the city’s liability if the animal injures someone else.

The library also updated the language used on a flier staff can hand to someone who has a strong odor, a piece of paper that on one side urges the person to leave and on the other provides information about free shower and laundry facilities at the Homeless Services Center. The new language tells the person their odor ‘is a violation of our rules of conduct,” a point Landers said interferes with others’ use of the library.

Landers estimates staff hands out a flier once or twice a week at the downtown branch.

Landers said there has been a major improvement in the atmosphere around the branch since the city hired private security guards to patrol the library and City Hall. People have often congregated outside, sleeping, smoking or being loud. There have been problems inside too, including a man staff caught disrobing in the stacks months ago.

Monday, the board also debated the process for replacing citizen Leigh Poitinger, who has represented Santa Cruz. Pirie objected to specifying that a seat be named specifically for the city, saying the library’s bylaws only state that the board’s three citizen seats be geographically diverse.

The board decided to table the matter to get a ruling from the city attorney about a motion passed in 2005 that some believe required city residency for one of the seats.

DIY parade participant headed back to court

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by J.M. BROWN
SC Sentinel 04/29/2010

SANTA CRUZ — The man who founded the Last Night DIY parade five years ago could face consequences bigger than a $204 fine for participating in the unsanctioned event again last December.

Wesley Modes, 43, of Felton is scheduled to appear in court May 14 to determine whether his participation in the largely impromptu New Year’s Eve parade constituted a violation of a plea agreement he entered with prosecutors to settle unrelated charges stemming from a 2008 row with police at the downtown drum circle.

Modes, who works at the McHenry Library at UC Santa Cruz, says he believes the city is seeking retaliation against him and is using the citation to send a warning to others who might participate in future DIY events. DIY, which stands for do-it-yourself, is based on an anarchist philosophy. Modes and other participants have refused to obtain city permits.

Assistant District Attorney Shannon Wyllie said she hasn’t decided whether to ask a judge to set aside the plea agreement and resentence Modes on battery and obstruction charges involving the drum circle case, which could result in jail time. She said she hasn’t reviewed the complaint filed against Modes by City Attorney John Barisone in February.

“Depending on the quality of the violation, it could violate terms of the existing agreement,” Wyllie said. “If that’s the case, he could be additionally punished.”

Barisone’s report refers to Modes as a “participant” in the Dec. 31 parade, which drew about 100 people, including children, riding on bicycles and homemade floats. Modes and Santa Cruz residents Whitney Wilde and Curtis Reliford were also cited as participants in the 2009 event.

“I’m not singling him out,” Barisone said. “He is the one we’ve had contact with in prior years.”

Wilde said she never received her citation and has called the city attorney to ask for it. Barisone said the citations were issued Feb. 16.

The officer who wrote the citations, Sgt. Michael Harms, explained in a report that he saw Modes, Wilde and Reliford at the parade but couldn’t identify anyone else when reviewing video footage shot by police that night.

Harms said Modes had been quoted in the Sentinel days before discussing the parade and posted a comment on the event’s website afterward saying the event was “bigger and better than ever.” The posting also said it was his “recurring dream to have a big celebration after the parade for the rest of the night at our town center at Cooper and Pacific,” according to the police report.

Modes said he didn’t organize the this year’s event and doesn’t believe simply participating should land him in hot water with prosecutors.

“They are singling me out although they have no evidence I organized it this time,” Modes said. “It’s hard to imagine that it’s not connected to the drum circle case that was recently settled.”

In September 2008, Modes and another man were involved in a confrontation with police officers who were investigating the drum circle, where there have been numerous complaints of drug dealing and loud music. In December 2009, just weeks before the parade, Modes entered guilty pleas to charges of obstruction and battering a police officer.

That hasn’t been his only dust-up with police. In 2006, he exposed the fact that undercover police had attended planning meetings for the parade under fake names. An internal investigation cleared police of wrongdoing, but council members and other citizens raised questions about police tactics.

Santa Cruz Mayor Mike Rotkin said city officials have since tried to work with Modes and others to figure out how to do the parade legally, including negotiating a cheaper or even free permit.

“They’ve been on warning every year,” Rotkin said. “The issue is we’ve asked people to apply for permits. It’s not a huge expense.”

Modes said he has not sought a permit for the parade in years past because the whole point of the event is to be free of government constraints.

“It’s the administration versus the people,” Modes said. “The administration feels like they’re losing control. But the people are like, These are our streets to control.'”

The DIY parade does not represent the first time people have been ticketed for non-permitted parades in Santa Cruz. Bicycle advocate Micah Posner was fined $110 for organizing a bike parade after he and more than 100 other cyclists flooded King Street in November 2008 to show their support for proposed bicycle improvements.