From: BENJAMIN S LORENZONI
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2023 12:48 PM
To: Distrib- City Clerk <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Military equipment has no place in the town of San Rafael The military industrial complex does have a long reach. It affects our foreign policy, where our F-16 jets are being shipped to Ukraine so that we can replace them with the even more expensive F-35. The recycled military vehicles that the SR police department use serve no purpose and are unnecessary in a CIVILIAN society. They are being thrust upon us by the bloated military that needs to waste our tax dollars and buy more military vehicles to replace the ones they sent to us. By accepting them you are part and parcel the military industrial complex.
Get them off our streets. Do not fund them, do not purchase them and do approve their use.
Benjamin Lorenzoni
Novato
On Monday, July 17, 2023 at 12:46:59 PM PDT, BENJAMIN S LORENZONI wrote:
The military industrial complex does have a long reach. It affects our foreign policy, where our F-16 jets are being shipped to Ukraine so that we can replace them with the even more expensive F-35. The recycled military vehicles that the SR police department use serve no purpose and are unnecessary in a CIVILIAN society. They are being thrust upon us by the bloated military that needs to waste our tax dollars and buy more military vehicles to replace the ones they sent to us. By accepting them you are part and parcel the military industrial complex.
Get them off our streets. Do not fund them, do not purchase them and do approve their use.
From: Debra
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2023 11:39 AM
To: Distrib- City Clerk <[email protected]> Subject: SRPD Military style weapons
Section 1033 of the National Defense Authorization Act
allows local law enforcement agencies to obtain billions of dollars worth of guns, explosives, helicopters, and more from the military. Why do police need these military-grade grenade launchers, bayonets, and large-caliber weapons? They don’t!
Studies have shown that equipping police officers with military equipment does nothing to reduce crime or protect law enforcement officers from violence. In fact, police forces that use military equipment are more likely to kill civilians than police forces that have not been militarized. Militarized police forces stoke fear among the public, which increases the potential for more conflict.
This is NOT the way to build community trust for the SRPD.
Please vote NO on this ordinance.
Thank you,
Debra Taube
From: Debbie Toizer
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2023 12:42 PM
To: Distrib- City Clerk <[email protected]> Subject: Comment for Tonight's City Council Meeting
I understand that you will be taking up the issue of military equipment for the police at tonight's meeting. I am concerned about the arsenals of military equipment that the SR police department is starting to collect. I don't think tax dollars should be spent to militarize our police.
Thank you. Deborah Toizer
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeanne Lavin
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2023 12:38 PM
To: Distrib- City Clerk <[email protected]> Subject: Military Weapons
Please keep military weapons off our streets and vote against the bill tonight that authorizes more of these weapons for the SRPD.
Thank you for listening.
Sent from my iPad
From: Kaytee Fink
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2023 1:38 PM
To: Distrib- City Clerk <[email protected]> Subject: Military style police equipment
Military style police equipment has no place in the San Rafael PD, and after the violence by police to San Rafael resident "Mateo" I believe our resources would be better served on de-escalation training for all officers. I do not approve the police department employing these weapons on civilians.
Thank you for your consideration.
Kaytee Fink,
San Rafael
From: Lisa Scarsella
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2023 12:52 PM
To: Distrib- City Clerk <[email protected]>; Mayor Kate <[email protected]> Subject: Fwd: no to military vehicles
I noticed this item on the agenda for tonight's meeting. The City Council will also hear a presentation on the AB 481 Military Equipment Annual Report. The California Legislature passed Assembly Bill (AB) 481 in 2021, requiring a governing body to adopt an ordinance approving a military equipment use policy for the funding, acquisition, and use of military equipment by a law enforcement agency, and to renew the ordinance annually. The San Rafael City Council approved its military equipment use policy by ordinance in May 2022.
I want to make my voice heard - military vehicles HAVE NO PLACE in Marin County, or any other residential areas. Please do not automatically approve this, or create an avenue for a repeat every year.
You have the right to say no, and refuse to take part in the military industrial complex trickle down. thanks for listening.
Best,
Lisa Scarsella (she/her)
more about pronouns
'It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men' - Frederick Douglass From: Mary Nahorniak
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2023 12:38 PM
To: Distrib- City Clerk <[email protected]> Subject: Military weapons do not belong on the streets of Marin Dear San Rafael City Council,
I understand you intend to vote tonight on the renewal of military weaponry for use by San Rafael's police department. As a neighbor, I strongly oppose this. Military weapons have no business in cities, and this funding and these weapons contribute to the climate of fear and overpolicing in San Rafael, with the "Mateo" incident being at the forefront. I strongly urge you to repeal this funding and instead put the money toward community services that will address root causes and keep the community safer.
Sincerely,
Mary Nahorniak
Marin resident