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Richmond residents press commission on patrol‑special appointments, bicycle fatality and staffing
Summary
At the community meeting, residents urged the commission to push for appointment of a long‑pending patrol special, sought answers about a bicycle‑related death and asked the Commission to press for new police academy classes to address staffing shortfalls.
Multiple Richmond District residents used the public‑comment period at the Aug. 31 Police Commission meeting to raise neighborhood safety concerns and request direct action from the department and elected officials.
John Gray, a longtime volunteer and neighborhood activist, said his patrol‑special application has been pending for more than a year and asked the commission to "direct or encourage Chief Suhr to appoint me as a patrol special," citing his community experience and a recent surge in assaults affecting older residents.
Jean Mitch, a civic volunteer and Senior Action Network member, pressed the panel about a Market Street collision in which a woman was killed by a bicyclist and asked why charges had not been brought. The commission explained that criminal charging decisions rest with the district attorney’s office after police complete accident reconstruction and investigation.
John Allian, a San Francisco State professor, warned that public institutions are being defunded and said he was concerned about police staffing and academy classes; commissioners acknowledged staffing as a top concern and encouraged public advocacy to restore academy classes.
Bob Toomey, district director for Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, praised the captain’s community engagement and said the assemblymember’s office supports efforts to secure resources for the district.
The commission closed public comment and moved to adjourn after brief closing remarks and appreciation for community participation.
