The Pleasanton City Council is set to introduce an ordinance Tuesday to approve a policy that would allow the Pleasanton Police Department to continue using military or specialized equipment.
The increased requirements, and justifications for the equipment, are part of Assembly Bill 481, which was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom last September, to create consistency for the funding, acquisition and use of military equipment by law enforcement agencies.
The bill requires law enforcement to keep a running list of what is defined as military equipment for oversight by local governing bodies, which now have the authority to approve or reject the use of such equipment by local law enforcement.
Approval for the continued and future possession of military equipment by Pleasanton police and other local law enforcement agencies throughout the state now involves passing an ordinance that adopts a military equipment use policy.
According to a city staff report, the goal is to increase transparency, accountability and oversight for the acquisition and use of certain equipment.
"Several items deemed to be "military equipment" by AB 481 are currently used by the Pleasanton Police Department and are outlined in the staff report. They are a component of overall best practices for law enforcement agencies throughout the state and country," city staff wrote in the report prepared for Tuesday's meeting. "These tools have proven effective in enhancing the safety of officers and reducing risk to members of the community," they said.
Military equipment, as defined by AB 481, does not necessarily indicate equipment used by the military. Items deemed by the bill to be "military equipment" include robotic vehicles, armored rescue vehicles, tear gas, less-than-lethal weapons such as beanbag shotguns, 40mm projectiles and noise/flash diversionary devices -- all of which Pleasanton Police currently use.
According to the report, city staff is seeking the council to approve the policy so that officers can continue using the equipment to, "offer de-escalation to individuals in crisis and provide safety services for officers and the community."
In other business
The council is set to review and possibly adopt a change in the Tri-Valley development transportation fee, which would facilitate transportation improvements in the Tri-Valley.
The fee was established by the Tri-Valley Transportation Council, which is made up of municipalities like Pleasanton, San Ramon, Danville, Dublin, Livermore and unincorporated parts of Contra Costa County.
The jurisdictions entered into a 2013 agreement that established the transportation council as an independent agency responsible for addressing transportation needs across the region.
The new fee update must be approved by each of the previously mentioned city's councils for the purpose of funding the implementation of projects identified as top priorities by the Tri-Valley Transportation Council.
The fee amendment is a result of a nexus study fee update in August, which led to the updated fee, a strategic expenditure plan and prioritization of a projects and funding plan.
One of the key summary points of the nexus study was growth in households and jobs from 2018 to 2040.
"Based on forecast projections, the vehicle hour of delay is expected to increase by 60% during the AM and 88% during the PM peak," city staff wrote in the report prepared for Tuesday's meeting. "With the 38 improvement projects, this delay is expected to decrease by 15% during the AM peak and 23% during the PM peak."
The Pleasanton City Council's next regular meeting is set for Tuesday (June 7) at 7 p.m. The agenda is available here.
Comments
Registered user
Old Towne
on Jun 7, 2022 at 9:17 am
Registered user
on Jun 7, 2022 at 9:17 am
Leave the Police Department alone. We have a great force! If it ain't broke don't screw with it!
Registered user
Pleasanton Meadows
on Jun 7, 2022 at 10:41 am
Registered user
on Jun 7, 2022 at 10:41 am
Civilian Know Nothings:
We have a group of civilian people, city staff, city council members, with no military experience, with no police experience, with no formal education in law enforcement, insisting on instructing highly trained, highly educated, professional police officers with what equipment and tools are necessary to enforce the law.
Registered user
Jensen Tract
on Jun 7, 2022 at 11:04 am
Registered user
on Jun 7, 2022 at 11:04 am
I agree with with Willy and Michael 100%. Let's not go down the slippery slope direction of the "defund the police" lunacy of LA, SF, NYC, etc. Leave them alone.
Registered user
Vintage Hills
on Jun 8, 2022 at 9:00 am
Registered user
on Jun 8, 2022 at 9:00 am
We have three dead people and have paid millions for mistakes. We don’t have to defund nor take away their toys; we do need to train the police to handle those suffering from mental illness.
Registered user
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jun 8, 2022 at 11:32 am
Registered user
on Jun 8, 2022 at 11:32 am
And there it is, another mental health comment from Kathleen! Kathleen, once and for all, we get your message and the issue is being addressed. The police are adopting a mental health response unit! Again, mental health is not an excuse to commit crimes or fail to comply with a police officer's commands. People with mental illness do not wear a sign on their forehead stating "I have a mental illness." The Pleasanton Police Department is well trained and in the incidents you continue to reference, the individuals were given an opportunity to cooperate and not resist. They were given the chance to tell police they were suffering from a crisis. Had they done either, the end results would have been very different!
STOP making ridiculous comments. The Militaristic equipment IS not toys for the police department. They are viewed very seriously and the officers who utilize them are trained to do so. This equipment enables the police to do their job more safely, gives them an opportunity to provide a second chance to someone who may or may not be experiencing a mental health crisis, and provide an extra measure of safety to the public they serve. The officers of the Pleasanton Police Department care about their community and are committed to keeping it safe. If you aren't sure, try approaching them and having a conversation with them. Even better yet, enroll in and attend the citizen's academy. You might be enlightened and gain a greater respect and understanding of what they do and how difficult their job is.
I would say until you have done so, stop making irresponsible comments but it appears you can't help yourself. I hope you try to see things differently and work with the police and not against them.
Willy, Michael and Nicki, thank you for supporting your police department. I am sure feel better knowing their community supports them.
Registered user
Birdland
on Jun 8, 2022 at 11:52 am
Registered user
on Jun 8, 2022 at 11:52 am
Support the local police. They have a tough job to do. Kathleen has the same old tired comments. No one pays attention to her anymore.
Registered user
Vintage Hills
on Jun 8, 2022 at 3:18 pm
Registered user
on Jun 8, 2022 at 3:18 pm
Just the facts and John, first my apology for saying toys. Secondly, I support the police, just not the errors. People in a mental health crisis don’t know they are in a crisis. Many believe they are fine and don’t need help. They also cannot follow police orders because they are in crisis. I understand new protocols are being put in place. And last, I had a family member who was a police officer. I know it is a difficult job.
Correct me if you think I’ve made an error, but don’t ridicule. I try not to do it to others.
Registered user
Birdland
on Jun 8, 2022 at 6:33 pm
Registered user
on Jun 8, 2022 at 6:33 pm
"People in crisis do not know they are in crisis" There in lies the problem. While they are in crisis they are unpredictable and can kill, maim, cause massive property damage etc. Add drugs or alcohol and you have a time bomb. Police may make mistakes but are generally trying to protect the public and themselves. You, Kathleen are the one constantly criticizing the police for, as you say now you have a relative who is a police person and you understand their problems. Kind of like "my best friend is a (fill in the blank minority} BS. Enough of your constant criticism, we now your stance live with it. Good day and good bye.
Registered user
Pleasanton Meadows
on Jun 8, 2022 at 10:01 pm
Registered user
on Jun 8, 2022 at 10:01 pm
They should use it more.
Start with mail thief's
Then catalytic converter thief’s
Do not pass go, no $200, game over