In 2018, Mid-City CAN's Youth Council joined Women Occupy San Diego, Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association, and San Diegans for Justice to introduce a ballot proposal that would create an independent, community-led commission on police practices in the City of San Diego. Andrea St. Julian, writer of the charter amendment and Co-chair of San Diegans for Justice, ensured that this independent commission would reimagine public safety for our communities. On July 7, City Council will formally vote to place the ballot measure on the November 2020 voting ballot.

We believe San Diegans deserves an independent, community-led commission to replace the current Community Review Board on Police Practices (CRB). 

The type of commission San Diegan will vote for in November 2020:

• Independent from the influence of the Mayor or SDPD—the current CRB members and director are selected by the Mayor.
  
• Independent legal counsel—the current CRB receives legal counsel from the City Attorney, who also defends the city in lawsuits. This is a conflict of interest.
• Power to investigate and subpoena officers, witnesses, and documents—the current CRB does not have subpoena power.
• Independent investigators—the current CRB relies on SDPD's own internal affairs investigations. The police should not investigate itself.

2 WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT THE BALLOT MEASURE ON TUESDAY, JULY 7 

Join the City Council meeting live stream bit.ly/SDLivestream 

Meeting starts at 11 A.M. please monitor the meeting to call in for Item 330, follow us on Twitter @midcitycan for live updates

1) Call-in phone testimony:

• When Item 330 is announced, call into the meeting: 619-541-6310 |  Enter access code: 877861 then press # 
• When it’s your turn, say your name, and tell the City Council to place an independent, community-led commission on police practices place on the ballot for November 2020 
• You will have a 1-minute to speak, Spanish interpretation is available upon request

2) Submit written e-comment:

• At https://www.sandiego.gov/form/agenda-comment-form  
• Comments should be submitted before 11 A.M. on July 7 
• Comment Type: City Council Comment
• Agenda Item Number: 330 
  
  

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR YOUR PHONE TESTIMONY OR E-COMMENT

My name is ______ and I support agenda item _______ in solidarity with the Mid-City CAN Youth Council.

I urge City Council to vote "yes" on the ballot proposal by San Diegans for Justice organizations including Woman Occupy San Diego and Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association.

The current Community Review Board on Police Practices depends on internal investigations by law enforcement and does not offer independent investigation and subpoena power for the community to find justice in cases of police misconduct, abuse, and violence.

This lack of transparency and accountability disproportionately puts our Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color in harms way as we've witnessed over many years of violent and racist policing practices.

According to the CRB's own 2019 annual report, 70% of complaints are not reviewed by the board because they are handled informally. There is no discipline or consequences for these officers.

Despite having a CRB, SDPD continues to use force against the Black community at a rate 2X the rate for Whites. Additionally, SDPD uses force against non-abled bodied people at a rate 2X higher than the rate of abled-bodied people.

Allowing San Diego to vote for an independent, community-led commission on police practices will demonstrate a willingness by our City Council to start the process of creating true public safety for all communities.

We cannot continue to put our communities in danger.

Please support Mid-City CAN Youth Council and SDJ by voting “yes” to place it on the November 2020 ballot. Thank you Councilmember Montgomery for championing this issue.