Committee pauses foot‑beat patrol initiative for further negotiation with police chief

Item 7, a proposed initiative ordinance to establish community‑based foot‑beat policing programs, was introduced by Supervisor Ross Mercarini and cosponsors. Mercarini described uneven application of foot‑beat patrols across neighborhoods, cited the 2008 Public Safety Strategies Group (PSSG) evaluation and the 1994 Prop D charter amendment (which established a minimum staffing requirement of 1,971 sworn officers), and argued that institutionalizing foot beats would improve community trust and police‑community relations.

Chief George Gascon said he strongly supports foot beats and community policing in principle and pointed to a significant increase in recorded foot‑patrol hours (controller figures cited: about 44,700 hours in 2007 rising to roughly 83,000 in February 2008). He raised concerns that the ordinance could raise legal questions under the city charter about deployment authority and could have substantial cost implications at a time of budget cuts; he suggested deferring the measure to November to allow negotiated details and legal review. Controller staff summarized an estimated fiscal impact, and Mercarini signaled willingness to work with the chief and consider moving placement to November to allow additional conversation.

Multiple public speakers including neighborhood residents, patient advocates and community advocates supported foot patrols; the committee moved to continue the item to the call of the chair to permit further negotiations between the sponsor and the chief.