This week I am submitting another topic which I consider important and growing in signi?cance.I wish to also preface my comments with my profound admiration and uncompromising respect for our safety agencies an the San Leandro Police Department speci?cally. I am proud of our police department and frequently brag of their competence in other communities.However, in the past few months several high pro?le events have occurred which have created a perception of a shift in public safety. Perception, as we know is reality. I am talking of:

• A robbery in which a prominent restaurant owner was wounded.
• Robberies at two downtown establishments during a time when patrons were present
• Strong arm robberies of children on their home street-Vandalism
• Broken windows at a restaurant, barber shop and hardware store in my neighborhood
• Auto thefts
• Increased vagrancy and pan-handling
• Traffic violations

Now I recognize that statistics may support the fact that the city is safer, but I submit that we need to evaluate this and con?rm. I think we need to both ensure and assure our citizens of their individual safety. We need to both project protection and promote an image of a safe community. We need to make San Leandro synonymous with that of being the safest city in the East Bay. We can do this.

First, I would ask that we receive a report of crimes over the past ?ve years. These should be broad categories such as auto theft, robberies, etc.

I ask that this report be provided to the Council prior to its January retreat.I also ask that the police provide their view on what they need to combat crime. I would like to hear how they may use community assistance, technology, lighting, communications, new deployment and tactics to advance crime prevention.

With this information, the city council can take strong and appropriate action to enhance community safety. I am not talking of symbolism, but action that will result in quantifiable reduction in crime in one year. I do not have all the answers. None of us on the council have all the answers. But together, all of us – the community, the staff, and the police have the need solutions.