Supervisor Cohen seeks expanded police reporting and pilots a green benefits district in Dogpatch

Supervisor Malia Cohen used the boardintroductory period on May 19 to introduce two substantive items: a drafting request to require expanded data collection by the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) and the Sheriff's Department, and a resolution of intent to pursue the cityfirst green benefits district in Dogpatch and Northwest Potrero Hill.

On police data, Cohen said the ordinance request would require collection and public reporting of expanded details about stops, detentions and searches: name, age, race, gender and gender identity; the nature of the contact (traffic stop, detention, search, pat-down); whether a vehicle or person search occurred; the officers' names and badge numbers; and the outcome (arrest, citation, warning, incident report, or no action). Cohen said current data shows disproportionate arrest rates for African Americans and women in San Francisco and that more transparent reporting could improve oversight and help address disparities. She said Oakland and New York collect similar information and San Jose is working toward similar requirements.

Cohen separately introduced a resolution of intent to form a voluntary assessment district she called a "green benefits district" in Dogpatch and Northwest Potrero Hill. She said the model follows the Community Benefits District and Business Improvement District processes but would allow both residential and commercial property owners to voluntarily assess themselves to pay for public-realm improvements such as graffiti removal, capital improvements, tree planting and park maintenance. Cohen said the model is already attracting interest from other neighborhoods and that city departments including DPW, Rec and Park and the city attorney's office have been engaged in the planning.

Both items were introduced and will proceed to committee for hearings and drafting.