PSC 06-11-2020CUPERTINO PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
Thursday June 11, 2020, 6:00 p.m.
Teleconference meeting without a physical location
CALL TO ORDER
Commission Chair Chao called to order this meeting of the Cupertino Public Safety
Commission at approximately 6:02 pm on Thursday, June 11, 2020 via teleconference.
ROLL CALL
Commissioner Present: Yvonne Chao
Tiffany Wang
Eric Shan
Hymanand Nellore
Lakshminarasimha Ankireddipally
Commissioner Absent: None
Staff Present: Captain Rich Urena, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Fire Chief Shumate, Santa Clara County Fire
Department
Thomas Chin, Emergency Services Coordinator, City of Cupertino
Others Present Virtually: Kathy Chole
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Subject: Approve May 14, 2020 Minutes
Recommended Action: Approval of the May 14, 2020 Minutes
Chair Chao recommended a spelling change on page 3 from “venerable” to “vulnerable.”
Commissioner Ankireddipally motion to adopt the change. Commissioner Nellore
seconded.
Chair Chao motioned to approve the amended minutes of the May 14, 2020 meeting;
Commissioner Wang seconded the motion; Ayes: Shan, Chao, Wang, Nellore,
Ankireddipally. Noes: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.
POSTPONEMENTS
None
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ORAL COMMUNICATION
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
None
OLD BUSINESS
2. Subject: Public Safety Education and Outreach
a. Public Safety Forum (Chao/Nellore)
Recommended Action: Receive updated reports and discuss proposals for future
forums/workshops
Chair Chao provided an update on the availability of the community center is booked for
October 22, 2020. Considering COVID-19, the forum may still be held virtually. Chair Chao
asked Captain Urena if a session can be provided on implicit bias training for Santa Clara
County Sheriff’s Deputies including awareness level training to the public. Commissioner
Ankireddipally agreed with Chair Chao and offered suggestion to include any future or
potential improvements to training offered to the Deputies. Captain Urena agreed to look
into personnel and resources available to adapt and conduct the training. The Block Leaders
will highlight personal safety during the Public Safety Forum.
Chair Chao suggested an additional topic to be covered at the forum regarding mental
health and provided an overview of resources available from the National Alliance on
Mental Illness (NAMI) Santa Clara County. Captain Urena agreed to share a direct contact
for Chair Chao to coordinate. Commissioner Ankireddipally shared information from Monta
Vista High School regarding any increases in mental health issues during the shelter-in-place
orders. According to representatives from the high school, there has been a modest increase,
but the high school has the necessary resources to address any issues.
Commissioner Ankireddipally offered to the Commission that concerns for physical safety
have become more prevalent recently. Captain Urena reported an increase in calls with
concerns for safety during the June 6, 2020 1st Amendment Activities. Chair Chao requested
additional element to be added to the Sheriff’s Office segment regarding personal safety and
actions the Sheriff’s Office will take to ensure safety.
Commissioner Nellore offered to the Commission concerns over continued isolation for
senior citizens during shelter-in-place and requested the addition of education and resources
for seniors. Chair Chao suggested outreach to NAMI and the Senior Center to prioritize
outreach to the community.
Chair Chao indicated an interest to include Santa Clara County Fire Department in the
program and asked Deputy Chief Shumate for an update on public education during
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COVID-19 and the protests. Deputy Chief Shumate indicated challenging elements for
public outreach during COVID-19 shelter-in-place. The Santa Clara County Fire Department
continues with drive by events for the community in partnership with the Sheriff’s Office.
Chair Chao requested potential topics from the Santa Clara County Fire Department
including an annual overview and a preview of new public outreach and training elements
developed during shelter-in-place.
If the Public Safety Forum is held in person, Chair Chao requested booth displays from the
Santa Clara County Fire Department and the Sheriff’s Office. Chair Chao also indicated a
domestic violence prevention booth would be beneficial for the community. Chair Chao will
reach out to a relevant agency.
Chair Chao volunteered to work with the Chinese and Indian communities to identify a
community-based translator for the Public Safety Forum.
Summary of Topics for the Public Safety Forum:
October 22, 2020 5PM – 9PM (Program 7PM – 9PM)
• Sheriff’s Office – 30 Minutes
o Implicit Bias Training for the public
o Changes the Sheriff’s Office Training Program
• NAMI presentation on mental health and impact on seniors – 30 Minutes
• Santa Clara County Fire Department – Topic To be determined – 30 Minutes
• Block Leader Program – 30 Minutes
o 3 Block Leaders discussing best practices in the neighborhoods and fostering a sense of
safety
• Booths (if in person)
o Sheriff’s Office
o Fire Department
o Domestic Violence
Chair Chao recommended outreach to begin after finalized topics in July and the City will design
the outreach flyer.
NEW BUSINESS
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS
3. Subject: Report by the Santa Clara County Fire Department
Recommended Action: Receive report by the Santa Clara County Fire Department
Deputy Fire Chief Shumate began by clarifying data from the previous meeting where there
was some confusion between monthly incident counts and year to date counts. The stated
monthly incident count was correct.
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Deputy Fire Chief Shumate described three (3) significant events over the last month
resulting in an estimated loss of $1,009,000 in property damage. No injuries to first
responders were reported.
Deputy Fire Chief Shumate explained in 2019 the incident count for January 1st to June 1st
there were 1641 calls for service. In 2020, there were 1304 calls for service which is a
significant decrease in call volume. The month of May 2020 had 235 calls for service.
Commissioner Nellore asked about the correlation between EMS calls and COVID-19.
Deputy Fire Chief Shumate said there is likely no direct impact to EMS due to COVID-19
and lower call volume is more likely sue to lower densities in the city.
4. Subject: Report by the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office
Recommended Action: Receive report by the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office
Captain Urena delivered a report that during the month of May all response times were met.
Captain Urena went on to give a brief overview regarding the one (1) robbery that occurred
during the month of May which included the incident that Commissioner Ankireddipally
referred to in the May Public Safety Commission meeting. Captain Urena described the
incident.
Captain Urena also reported that during the month of May there was an increase in
commercial burglary incidents compared to the previous month. The Sheriff’s Office
continues to check businesses at night and being visible during nighttime hours.
Commissioner Shan requested more specific information to be delivered during the July
Public Safety Commission meeting regarding Commercial Burglaries.
Captain Urena shared a report on Mental Health calls to describe incidents when family
members call for help with someone potentially harming themselves or not taking
medications. Captain Urena provided a brief overview of the six domestic violence
incidents which occurred in the month of May.
Captain Urena described the 1st Amendment event on June 6, 2020 and activities to
support public safety and facilitate 1st Amendment rights. Captain Urena acknowledged
the local and national call to conduct law enforcement better.
5. Subject: Report by the City of Cupertino
Recommended Action: Receive Report by the City of Cupertino Liaison
Mr. Chin, City of Cupertino Emergency Services Coordinator, described the City of Cupertino
coordination with the County of Santa Clara in response to COVID-19. Specifically, a pop-up
test site will be established June 16, 17, and 18 from 10:00AM – 4:00PM. The test site will be
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free, open to the public, and will not require an appointment.
Mr. Chin described the coordination between the City of Cupertino and the Sheriff’s Office to
support public safety and facilitate 1st Amendment rights during the protests including the
activation of the Emergency Operations Center.
6. Subject: Commissioner Reports
Recommended Action: Receive Commissioners’ Reports
Commissioner Shan attended the Mayor’s Meeting on June 10, 2020. The presentation to the
Mayor’s meeting included a summary of public safety response numbers delivered at the
May Public Safety Commission meeting. Mayor had mentioned a potential June 22, 2020 town
hall on policing practices. The Mayor voiced support of Sheriff’s Office and the handling of
current homelessness, policing principles, and protest activity. Other Commissions have
recommended public surveys and it is possible the Public Safety Commission implements a
public survey on public safety issues. Commissioner Shan proposed a partnership with
Planning Commission regarding major commercial planning efforts and vehicular burglary
prevention. Additionally, the meeting discussed potential identification of sites to offer to
homelessness camps as a safer alternative.
Chair Chao expressed support for a partnership with the Planning Commission if data can
be made available from the Sheriff’s Office regarding vehicular burglaries. Captain Urena
offered a number of potential preventative measures that can be recommended by the
Public Safety Commission. Commissioner Shan agreed to work with a representative from
the Planning Commission to coordinate a recommendation from the Public Safety
Commission.
Commissioner Nellore agreed to attend the July Mayor’s Meeting.
FUTURE AGENDA SETTING
Chair Chao added Coordination with the Planning Commission for Commercial Projects to
include Preventative Measures for Vehicular Burglaries
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Chao adjourned the meeting at 7:46 p.m.
NEXT MEETING
The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 9, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
SUBMITTED BY:
Thomas Chin
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Staff Liaison to the Public Safety Commission
Emergency Services Coordinator
City of Cupertino
June 25, 2020
APPROVED BY:
Yvonne Chao Chair Date
July 9, 2020