Supervisors continue racial‑profiling resolution after community testimony and HRC recommendations

The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee took public testimony Nov. 14 on a resolution condemning racial profiling and discriminatory harassment and asked staff to strengthen the measure before formal Board consideration.

Supervisor Shamann Walton, the item sponsor, framed the resolution as a response to a reported increase in profiling of people of color and outlined requests for corporate bias training, instructions for filing discrimination complaints, and investigations into allegations. Brittney Chiquata, acting chief of staff at the Human Rights Commission, told the committee the HRC receives many complaints related to racial profiling in the context of 911 calls but lacks enforcement jurisdiction for those calls; HRC typically forwards such complaints to the Police Department or refers complainants to legal aid. Chiquata said the Commission recommended increased training for DEM responders, public engagement campaigns and consideration of penalties for biased 911 calls, citing an Oregon example where legislation allows finding a caller liable when bias is proven.

Community members urged additions to the resolution’s protected classes and scope. John Goldsmith requested adding religion or perceived religion; Josh Klipp asked for explicit inclusion of gender identity, citing violence against trans women of color. Angela Jay of Interrupting Racial Profiling said her group will submit a separate, more prescriptive resolution asking for stronger sanctions and potentially a "Trayvon tracking" law to address patterns of bias and tracking.

Supervisor Walton told the committee he would continue the item to the call of the Chair to incorporate suggested language and work with the HRC on attached legislation; the motion to continue was taken without objection.