The Santa Cruz City Council convened on September 10, 2024, with all members present except Councilmember Brunner, who joined later. The meeting began with a closed session, during which no public comments were received on the agenda items. Upon reconvening, the council opened the floor for oral communications, allowing residents to address issues not on the agenda.

One notable speaker, Anne Simonton from the Commission for the Provision of Violence Against Women, expressed urgent concerns regarding the need for trauma-informed investigative techniques within the Santa Cruz Police Department. Simonton highlighted a troubling incident where Police Chief Bernie Escalante reportedly stated that the use of abusive language during investigations was acceptable. She criticized this approach, arguing that it could re-traumatize victims by forcing them to relive their experiences in a painful manner.

Simonton's remarks underscored a long-standing issue, as she noted that the commission, established in 1981 to address abusive language by the police, has struggled to implement necessary training over the past six years. She called for immediate action to ensure that the police department adopts more sensitive and supportive practices in handling cases of violence against women.

The council's response to these concerns and any subsequent actions will be closely monitored by community advocates and residents alike.