WTF California: Police Accuse City of Protecting Councilmember Plus More Uncomfortable Truths

On this episode of WTF California, City of Antioch continues to boomerang back into the news after Antioch Police Officers Association accuse City Manager of killing investigation of Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker. San Francisco Police Commissioner tweets “Uncomfortable Truth” over teenagers and guns. House approves George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. California lawmakers eye aiding those with criminal records by sealing criminal history. Meanwhile, Lafayette City Council wants action over Donald Trump bridge protests. Also… Stockton Data shows guaranteed basic income program helped lower unemployment while San Francisco offered permanent housing to homeless which was declined 70% of the time. Finally, $1.4 million from State to help address surge of hate and Xenophobia Directed toward Asian Americans.

Show Outline

• Antioch POA Issues Statement on Antioch’s Investigation of City Council Member Tamisha Torres-Walker
  The Antioch Police Officers Association (APOA) is aware that City Manager Ron Bernal initiated an investigation of Ms. Torres-Walker’s outrageous behavior and the enormous discredit she brought to the City Council and the City Management of the City of Antioch. However, suddenly, very quietly, and entirely inexplicably, the investigation was discontinued, apparently as a result of pressure brought by Ms. Torres-Walker and/or her supporters. The discontinuation of this investigation is tantamount to City Management sanctioning displays of profanity and unprofessionalism at the very highest levels of City Government.
• S.F.’s police commissioner tweeted an ‘uncomfortable truth’ on guns and teens. Now, two supervisors say he should step aside
  San Francisco Supervisor Catherine Stefani is calling for Police Commissioner John Hamasaki to “step aside” following a social media post in which he argued that it was dangerous in some cases for police to confiscate guns from teens.
• House approves George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
  The House late Wednesday night gave the green light to the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in a 220-212 vote. Senate Republicans had balked, in particular, at the provision eliminating certain legal protections currently afforded to law enforcers in many states and precincts. Known as qualified immunity, those protections are needed, Republicans argue, to shield law enforcers from rampant litigation.
• Only Republican to vote for police reform bill ‘accidentally pressed the wrong … button
  GOP Rep. Lance Gooden (Texas), the only Republican representative to vote for the “George Floyd Justice in Policing Act,” reportedly said in a now-deleted post on Twitter that he had pressed the wrong button by accident.
• California lawmakers eye aiding those with criminal records
  SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers are pushing several new efforts this year to largely seal or expunge criminal records for people who have completed their sentences, expanding on existing laws that proponents said aid people who are trying to re-enter society.
• Lafayette officials want action over Trump bridge protests
  LAFAYETTE — At least four times the City Council has tried to figure out what to do about the political gatherings on an overpass above Highway 24, where supporters of former President Donald Trump have held up signs and flags, while nearby residents complain the groups are noisy and threaten the safety of motorists.
• Data shows Stockton’s guaranteed basic income program helped lower unemployment
  STOCKTON, Calif. (KTXL) – Former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs shared data Wednesday from a guaranteed basic income program that shows giving people money helps with unemployment.
• Pandemic puts 1 in 3 nonprofits in financial jeopardy
  NEW YORK — More than one-third of U.S. nonprofits are in jeopardy of closing within two years because of the financial harm inflicted by the viral pandemic, according to a study released by the philanthropy research group Candid and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy.
• San Francisco offered permanent housing to homeless people staying in hotels, but 70% said no. Here’s why
  So far, around 70% of shelter-in-place hotel residents offered spots at the refurbished 232-unit Granada Hotel, purchased with $45 million from the state last year, turned down spots, Abigail Stewart-Kahn, interim director of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, told supervisors last week.
• California Legislature Approves $1.4 Million in State Funding To Help Address Surge of Hate and Xenophobia Directed toward Asian Americans
  In response to the recent wave of hate incidents targeting Asian Americans, California lawmakers today approved $1.4 million in state funding to bolster the research and reporting work underway that is tracking this concerning trend. The Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus (APILC) lauds the efforts of Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, who secured the appropriation as part of AB 85, a fiscal measure providing additional resources for California’s ongoing pandemic response.
• KPIX 5 Reporter Robbed At Gunpoint While Covering Car Break-Ins At San Francisco’s Twin Peaks
  SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — A KPIX 5 reporter investigating a series of auto break-ins around Twin Peaks in San Francisco was robbed of his camera at gunpoint Wednesday.
• East Bay freelance reporter sues Richmond after being shot with rubber bullet
  An East Bay freelance journalist who was shot by police with a rubber bullet while covering a protest over the George Floyd killing has sued the city of Richmond, saying she was wearing her press badge and posed no threat when an unidentified officer opened fire.
• Sacramento City Council approves Black Lives Matter sign for Oak Park
  The Sacramento City Council unanimously agreed on Tuesday to install a Black Lives Matter sign at McClatchy Park in Oak Park.
• Fresno Unified elementary teacher now charged in sex acts with four girls
  FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — New details and a not guilty plea Wednesday in the case of a longtime Fresno Unified teacher accused of sex crimes. Four girls have now accused Fresno Unified elementary school teacher Aaron Butler of having sexual contact with them.
• House passes voting rights and elections reform bill
  The House passed a sweeping election reform and voting rights bill mostly along party lines on Wednesday in a 220-210 vote. The measure would require states to offer mail-in ballots, a minimum of 15 days of early voting and calls for online and same-day voter registration. The legislation also calls for the creation of independent commissions to draw congressional districts in an effort to put an end to partisan gerrymandering. It would also provide additional resources to stave off foreign threats on elections, enable automatic voter registration, and would make Election Day a national holiday for federal workers.
• Ferris wheel to stay in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park for 4 more years
  SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KRON) – The SkyStar Observation Wheel will stay in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park for four more years.

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