Attachment 11 - Public Comment Received 1101 am May 17 2021 to 1100 am May 18 2021From: Alice A Miano
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2021 11:01 AM
To: PublicComment <PublicComment@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Public Comment Item #7
For nearly a year, the Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition, with more than 350 members, has
respectfully asked the Council to bring police financing in line. As a Coalition member, I
personally have shared stories with the Council as a near lifelong resident of Los Gatos. I spoke
about how I was harassed by a Los Gatos police officer in an unmarked car when my apparent
crime was that I appeared to be Latina while listening to salsa music with my car windows down
on a summer day. Indeed, in Chief Decena’s own report, we see that Latinxs are arrested at
twice the rate of their actual population in Los Gatos. Then there was the time on a recent dog
walk through Bachman Park when I witnessed four police cars, a firetruck, an ambulance and
two apparent social workers in their personal vehicles arrive to handcuff one quiet homeless
man and send him off in the ambulance. My point: the LGMSPD is not treating people of color
fairly, and they’re ripping us off.
Let me tell you a couple of other stories from my 55 years as a Lost Gatos resident. How about
the time when I called for help when my husband, who at times got belligerent during his 7-
year battle with brain cancer, and had the cops show up with their guns. When we needed
mental health services, instead we got the cops telling my husband to come out from behind a
locked door. I’m be forever grateful that he didn’t, and that he died from a brain tumor instead
of a police bullet. But we never did get the mental health services needed for my husband and
then teenaged daughters. It was all we could do to keep up with the medical bills.
Why do we spend more and more on police each year and comparatively little on mental health
and housing services when that as what is most needed to help us emerge from this pandemic?
And what about infrastructure? Many roads and sidewalks are still crumbling in Los Gatos?
Thank you,
Ali Miano
________________________________
Alice A. Miano, Ph.D.
Coordinator, Spanish Language Program
Stanford University
#BlackLivesMatter #FreedomForImmigrants
Pronombres: ella/la, she/her
ATTACHMENT 11
From: Sandrine Chaumette >
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2021 11:03 AM
To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>; Town Manager <Manager@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Public Comment - Freezing Police Budget
Increasing the police budget in Los Gatos is wasteful and unnecessary:
Police Head Count:
The 2019 Los Gatos crime rate fell by 5% compared to 2018. In the last 5 years Los Gatos has
seen decreasing violent crime and decreasing property crime. Murders, rapes, assaults,
burglaries, auto thefts, and arson are experiencing a steady decline.With the steady decrease in
crime, adding more officers to the force is unnecessary. As it is, existing officers are working
well below their capacity.
Using Overtime is okay
• It is an efficient solution for 24/7 coverage.
• It allows employers to quickly respond to short-term variations in workload or staffing
while only having to pay for the time needed.
• The labor market in Santa Clara County is extremely tight. Unemployment rate in our
county is extremely and the cost of living is extremely high. Finding and hiring new LGPD
police staff will be difficult, when the supply of jobs is greater than the demand, due to
our low unemployment rate. Allowing existing employees to earn extra income helps
offset tthe high expenses of living in this area.
Hiring additional staff is extremely EXPENSIVE:
This is an expensive solution, with all crimes steadily declining in the town, increasing the size
of the police force is unnecessary. So far, we have no proof that additional full time staff is
necessary. Overtime cover absence (relief), training or maintenance. Since these functions do
not regular basis, hiring an additional crew is not the most efficient solution.
Crisis De-escalation vs. Policing.
Over 80% of police call outs are due to non-violent offenses. A police officer trained in using
lethal force is completely unnecessary and a waste of money. The cost of a police officer is
about $110,000. The cost of a crisis negotiator is 90,000. Replacing a retiring police officer with
a negotiator is less expensive and more efficient use of resources. We can do this with a frozen
budget and save approximately $20,000.
Read more: https://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Los-Gatos-California.html
Sandrine M. Chaumette
From: Phillip Bond
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2021 11:42 AM
To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: rescinding "Keep Los Gatos Safe" support email
Hi there,
I feel like I was misled into asking you to vote NO on the LGMSPD hiring freeze. I obviously
support having more 911 dispatch operators, but I do like the LG Anti-Racism's position on
hiring a social worker and other goals.
I apologize for not fully considering all sides of the issue, so please ignore my "Keep Los Gatos
Safe" form-letter submission.
Respectfully yours,
Phillip Bond
From: Anne Marie de Cesare
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2021 12:59 PM
To: PublicComment <PublicComment@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Public Comment Item #7
Dear Town Council,
There have been two incidents in Los Gatos where intoxicated people have knocked on my
front door. They didn't look homeless, they looked way too drunk to drive and maybe even too
drunk to walk home. In the first case we called the police and in the second case the person left
after a short period of time and we did not call the police. In both cases we were afraid,
because clearly the people were intoxicated and we did not know them.
In the case where the police were called, they were helpful to ensure our safety, but the
situation was confusing to me because the police did not appear to have the resources to help
the drunk person and I was concerned for the drunk person’s health. I still wonder what
happened to those people. This type of incident is probably is no more than a public
intoxication ticket. It seems having a social worker arrive with a police officer would be a good
opportunity to help people get medical care to detoxify and receive addiction counseling.
As a member of the Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition, I propose that the town council pledges to
transition to a broader model of public safety via a resolution. We do this by (1) pledging to
freeze the police budget for the foreseeable future and (2) allow for hiring professionals (e.g.
culturally competent social workers) who can deal with non-criminal situations that involve
homelessness, mental illness, harassment, and etc.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Anne Marie de Cesare
From: Adam Mayer
Date: Mon, May 17, 2021 at 3:14 PM
Subject: Some concern regarding public safety funding in Los Gatos
To: Marico Sayoc <msayoc@losgatosca.gov>, <rrennie@losgatosca.gov>,
<mbadame@losgatosca.gov>, Matthew Hudes <mhudes@losgatosca.gov>, Maria Ristow
<mristow@losgatosca.gov>
Dear Mayor Sayoc and Town Council Members,
It has been brought to my attention that the Town Council will be voting on a recommendation
from the Finance Commission to withhold filling a handful of job vacancies for the Los Gatos /
Monte Sereno Police Department.
While I am admittedly not privy to budget details that led to this decision, I fear that it sends
a negative signal not only to the Police Department but to the Los Gatos Community as well
that the Town's leadership does not prioritize public safety.
As I mentioned in my article about the hate crime in Los Gatos that I sent to you all a few weeks
ago, I believe that a community-based approach to public safety is key to preventing acts of
violence.
Perhaps instead of implementing a de facto hiring freeze for the LGMS PD, the Town finds a
creative way to fill these vacancies with officers who actively work to engage with the
community.
In San Francisco, where I lived for the past decade, my local neighborhood association found
that having a walking beat officer presence was effective at deterring crime. Not only that, but
beat patrols were found to foster a more positive relationship with community members and
small business owners.
That being said, what I fear most about this recommendation from the Finance Commission is
that it is based in part on current anti-law enforcement sentiment around the country and
trendy but cynical philosophies like "critical race theory" that place the blame for past
injustices on certain categories/groups, further dividing people within diverse communities.
I don't think this approach is helpful for anyone and could actually backfire, creating an
adversarial relationship between law enforcement and the Town Government, leaving the
Town's residents as potential collateral damage.
Unfortunately I've already seen this play out in San Francisco, which is a major reason why my
wife and I decided to move to Los Gatos. In San Francisco, the current District Attorney as well
as many members of the Board of Supervisors have undermined the work of the SFPD to the
point where many officers feel demoralized and not supported in their roles. The departure and
retirement of several senior officers and inability to recruit new ones has led to a rise in crime.
Back here in Los Gatos, my parent's apartment complex near W. Main Street and Broadway has
been burglarized multiple times over the past few months (cars have been broken into and
their mailbox broken/vandalized). So even though Los Gatos remains relatively safe, now is not
the time to start cutting back on public safety.
Thanks for considering my message here and I am confident you all will make the right decision
for the continued safety of Los Gatos residents. Happy to discuss further or answer any
questions.
Best Regards,
Adam Mayer
From: Claudia Kenyon
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2021 6:33 PM
To: PublicComment <PublicComment@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Public Comment Item #7
Dear Town Council,
I appreciate your efforts to make Los Gatos a town welcome to all. Thank you for being.
In keeping with our beautiful LISTEN LEARN CHANGE GROW banners, I write in support of a
town budget that allows us to hire mental health community service and/or social workers to
relieve police officers of having to handle situations they are not specially trained for. No need
for more police if other professionals can respond to, say, an old person being harassed
downtown, or an unhoused person in need of help, or a person having a mental health crisis.
Yours for adding compassion to law and order,
Claudia Kenyon
From: Debbie Sy
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2021 7:52 PM
To: PublicComment <PublicComment@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Public Comment Item #7
Dear Town Council,
I support the freeze on police expenditure and am in favor of hiring mental health personnel
who are trained to address non-violent calls for help. It would be wonderful for a social worker
to address smaller problems before they escalate and for police to be able to focus on crime
and safety. I would rather invest in our community with mental health resources early than be
required to use police force later.
Sincerely,
Debbie Sy
Los Gatos Resident
From: christie herrington
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2021 8:23 PM
To: PublicComment <PublicComment@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Verbal Communications :: Non-Agenda Item :: May 18 Council Meeting
Hello, Honored Council Members,
Thank you for your time.
I’m writing to share my concern for the ‘Listen Learn Change Grow’ banners around
town. These are simply a disguised BLM/CRT (Critical Race Theory) slogan mechanism.
The BLM founders are self-described Marxists who stand for dismantling the family structure
and fighting to destroy capitalism (i.e. restaurants & boutiques). These are both a huge part of
the vibrant life in Los Gatos.
These CRT-slogans convey that LG is anti-family, anti-faith, and DIVISIVE. I know this is not who
the Los Gatos community is. LG is family-oriented, entrepreneurial, and a community that
cares about ALL its residents.
These banners must come down immediately. This is not who Los Gatos is!
Sincerely,
Christie H.
From: Lynley Kerr
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2021 7:44 AM
To: PublicComment <PublicComment@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Public comment for 5/18/2021 Council Meeting
Los Gatos Town Council Meeting
May 18, 2021 7p
Thank you for allowing me another opportunity
To persuade you to stop all Critical-Race-Theory-based Partnerships, Campaigns and Actions in
Los Gatos. This includes Diversity Equity and Inclusion and Listen Learn Change Grow .
The Washington Examiner reported that, “A Black mother took aim at CRT …comparing the
education to tactics used by Nazi Germany and the Ku Klux Klan.”
The Charlotte Observer warned “that Americans … are being taught a racist and radical
version of the nation’s history, North Carolina…Congress vowed to fight back with legislation.
Their main target is critical race theory, ‘…that describes how race, class, gender, and sexuality
organize American life,… Critics,…call it Marxist, anti-American, racist, destructive — and,
pervasive.”
I have also seen Los Gatos NUMU’s “Good Trouble,” a BLM-based art show, which grotesquely
portrays violence, as BLM requires. No one in their right and educated mind would want to
fund this project with our tax dollars.
As Catherine Somers of the Chamber said on the Campaign Card dropped off on my porch, this
Campaign to Change Los Gatos Residents’ lives and futures “is frightening.”
SO WHY DO IT?
The following 3 things that I am observing are negatively affecting this town’s well-being and
making us all feel much less safe and more in danger than any other time in history.
1. I see a Deceptive Campaign
1. Forced upon Los Gatos
2. By Domestic Enemies: Antifa and BLM,
3. Who are Anti-Christ and Anti-American Terrorist Groups and Enemy to our Civil
Rights Act of 1964
4. Paid for by Foreign Enemies, George Soros, the Rothschilds, and the Chinese
Communist Party
5. In order to Destroy America and create a New World Order
2. And, therefore, I see CRT being BANNED all over the USA by We The People and
Legislators.
3. I also see a group of Elected Officials,
1. Who Serve We The People, YET KNOWINGLY:
1. Won’t educate themselves on CRT,
2. Won’t stop our enemies’ Agendas from coming to fruition,
3. Won’t commit to “defending the Constitution against all enemies,
foreign and domestic,”
4. Are benefitting in some corrupt way,
1. Or, wouldn’t take these hurtful actions AGAINST We The People
and the Constitution.
5. Is Complicit, due to laziness, negligence, or fear, in the destruction of Los
Gatos, the Town and its Residents.
The Residents of Los Gatos Need and Require that You Protect our Constitution and God-
Given Rights to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
If you choose not to protect us, your Constituents, by stopping CRT, and you decide to help
America’s Domestic and Foreign Enemies, instead,
1. You must resign, and
2. You must allow others, who are not afraid of the Evil Powers that you secretly
serve, to take your place and to protect us all.
Love, Compassion,
Forgiveness, and Gratitude
From: Yanwu
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2021 10:09 AM
To: PublicComment <PublicComment@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Please stop the CRT and "Listen Learn Change Grow" Campaign
Dear Los Gatos Town Council:
I am a house owner in Los Gatos, and my family has lived in this beautiful and peaceful town for
13 years.
I am writing to ask you to stop all Critical-Race-Theory-based partnerships, campaigns, and
actions in Los Gatos. This includes "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" and "Listen Learn Change
Grow".
The Washington Examiner reported that, “A Black mother took aim at CRT …comparing the
education to tactics used by Nazi Germany and the Ku Klux Klan.”
The Charlotte Observer warned “that Americans … are being taught a racist and radical version
of the nation’s history, North Carolina…Congress vowed to fight back with legislation. Their
main target is critical race theory, ‘…that describes how race, class, gender, and sexuality
organize American life,… Critics,…call it Marxist, anti-American, racist, destructive — and,
pervasive.”
I have also seen Los Gatos NUMU’s “Good Trouble,” an art show which grotesquely portrays
violence. No one in their right and educated mind would want to fund this project with our tax
dollars.
The following 3 things that I am observing are negatively affecting this town’s well-being and
making us all feel much less safe and more in danger than any other time in history.
I see a Deceptive Campaign
Forced upon Los Gatos
By Anti-Christ and Anti-American Groups who are Enemies to our Civil Rights Act of 1964
In order to Destroy America and create a New World Order
And, therefore, I see CRT being BANNED all over the USA by We The People and Legislators.
I also see a group of Elected Officials,
Who Serve We The People, YET KNOWINGLY:
Won’t educate themselves on CRT,
Won’t stop our enemies’ Agendas from coming to fruition,
Won’t commit to “defending the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic",
due to laziness, negligence, or fear, in the destruction of Los Gatos, the Town and its Residents.
The Residents of Los Gatos Need and Require that You Protect our Constitution and God-Given
Rights to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness by Stopping CRT and all CRT-
based partnerships, campaigns, and actions.
Thank you.
Sincerely yours,
Zhang family