Remarks by Jamelia Brown
52 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 1 of 3
Yes, thank you so much for the presentation. I just have one quick question to clarify with Councilmember Bono was discussing about exploring data sharing with WCCUSD. I know we spoke last time about how our students in particularly are significantly suffering when it comes to test scores in reading and mathematics. And I'm wondering, like, are we missing an opportunity by not collecting that data? Because I know during the presentation you said we don't collect those scores. And so I'm wondering, because we do suffer significantly in that area, are we missing an opportunity?
Okay. And so with that, so once that's all paired and aligned, will we be looking forward in the near future to sort of create some programs or systems to help improve those test scores?
No. If that's your commitment, we'll hold you to it.
The city of Richmond proclamation recognizing the courage and heroism of Richmond police officers. Whereas on September 3rd, 2026, Richmond police officers responded to assist the A3 behavioral health crisis response team with a call for service. What began as an effort to assist a person in crisis quickly escalated when an armed suspect opened fire on responding personnel with a high powered rifle. And whereas Officer Justin Church, the first officer to arrive, was struck and seriously wounded by gunfire. Despite his injuries and the continuing threat, Officer Church demonstrated…
City of Richmond Proclamation honoring Soulful Softball Sunday founder, Rodney Alamo Brown. Whereas in recognition of the outstanding vision, dedication, and leadership demonstrated through the creation and stewardship of Soulful Softball Sunday, an award-winning annual gathering at Nickel Park in Richmond, California. And whereas Soulful Softball Sunday stands as a beacon of hope and unity, bringing together an estimated 500 to 1000 participants from across Richmond for a day filled with fellowship, food, prayer, and spirited softball competition. This cherished event restores the city's…
Yes. Thank you so much for the presentation and for your work on this. Again, congratulations on your publication. I wanted to ask a couple questions regarding the study. So it says that you selected 15 cities that you indicated with over 8,000 eligible cities for the study. And I'm wondering why were none of the cities that were selected in the 15 bulk were in California.
Yeah, no, thank you for that clarification because I did notice that there were eligible California cities but they were excluded. And how many, do you know how many California cities were eligible but yet were excluded?
So it was strictly based off of data limitations,
No, thank you for that. I'm just wondering, when I saw the exclusion, I'm like, hey, would this have ultimately had an effect on the comparison model overall? Like, would the outcome have been different? So thank you for that clarification. Also, since this report has hit the web, it's garnered, like, lots of chatter regarding who claims the 61%, right? And I just wanted to know if you can clarify what or who actually attributed to Richmond's reduction of firearm assault in homicide numbers. I know it defines it in the study. However, it has grown like a conversation of its own. And I just…
Yeah, well, the police department, because they arrest folks with guns. things like that. So I'm just trying to gauge the overall understanding that folks are putting out there. Because it says in the report that ONS contributed or associated. And then the conversations that are ongoing with mayoral candidates and so forth is that ONS is the... organization that's responsible for this 61% reduction. And then you have all these other organizations that are talking about the work that they were doing during the same reporting period. So I just wanted to get some clarification on that. Also, I…
Okay, great. So I believe that this study is super important, so thank you, and thank you to the work that ONS and all the staff do for the city of Richmond. I just think that this study is a contribution to a much larger conversation, and so I just want to take this time, and that's why I asked how much time did I have, to recognize Richmond residents who have continued to be shot and killed during this time period. But the fact that they were not shot and killed in the city of Richmond, they were killed in neighboring cities like Oakland, Antioch, Vallejo, San Francisco, and other places.…
And would I have an opportunity to address my mischaracterization? Thank you. So, yes, I was saying that. Wait a minute.
Okay, Wilson said yes, so I felt compelled.
Yes, thank you so much for the presentation. So a lot of the questions that I have have gone forth already, but I did have one question regarding the judgment on yesterday with the San Jose Flock Network, the lawsuit that your organization along with another, organization brought forth and since you're appearing here today in Richmond, I just want to ask, and you're talking about the effectiveness and limitations and impact. Can you explain that ruling and what the court rejected about that argument?
Right. So, of course, you have the rights for appeals and all of those things. But as it stands, it said that it wasn't a violation of folks' privacy. And so it's just that, just perpetuating the narrative this evening that folks' privacy is being violated on just like a number of levels. And then we have this ruling that you all were a part of yesterday. that said otherwise than what you're presenting this evening. So I just wanted to highlight that and to bring forward to let the community know that there is a ruling that has been made that, I see all these signs in the audience about…
Yeah. Well, thank you. It's just one of those things where Richmond has, or our police chief in general, has made such great efforts to protect the safety of our residents and the integrity of our residents. And so it's just listening to everything that's gone forth. It happened in other communities. And I'm just wanting to highlight what's going on in Richmond specifically and the safeguards that we can begin to implement to strengthen our to strengthen our systems here as we move forward to potentially inheriting Axon. Thank you.
So I'm just going to ask Mike. just two questions I just want clarification on because I just I'm sitting here and it's almost 11 o'clock and I'm like what was today for if we just went through all of this from different organizations to like I thought the mayor suggested that we were going to land somewhere but I guess If we break it up into all of these different parts and just only eat the parts that are favorable to some and then just leave the other parts alone, I guess that'll work. But my question was if we, if there's, if one drone covers 60 to 70% of the city, why is it necessary to…
Okay, so there's just different types for different situations. Correct, yeah. Okay, thank you. And we currently, I saw on one of the slides there were like 110 license plate readers, and I'm hearing a lot that we're just going to have like this massive influx of... license plate readers all throughout the city. How many do we currently have now and how many will we have if we were to switch over to Axon?
Okay. There was one other question that I have regarding like the cameras following people.
Okay. And lastly, I just want to ask because I noticed that many of folks that have spoken this evening talked about like patterns that are created to follow folks or things like that. Would you suggest that the purge of the systems every 30 days sort of excludes like any type of established patterns for vehicles?
I did say lastly, but this is the last one. So as far as someone being able to access our data, I mean, like I think throughout, like you mentioned, throughout different professions, fields, like there's no guarantee that... some things like 100% proof. And so what I'm asking is that in order, in our situation, in order for someone to request access or gain access to our data would have to come through a judge like authorizing a subpoena?
Yeah. And what about your audit system to ensure that the checks and balances are there? What about the, how often is that conducted? Monthly.
Okay. Thank you. And I do want to ask too, Mayor, look, Vice Mayor Robinson mentioned that she needed some more, I guess, some comparisons of the data. And I thought, you know, from the first last week or the last council meeting we heard, plus this council meeting, and I'm trying to establish, like, what is, like, why are we keep putting it off? Like, what are we trying to reach, like, as far as, like, the information, just so I'm clear?
I think we'll still have time to approve the item.
OK. And I just asked if I can make a friendly amendment. It's going to take, I just want to know if we can add a date to this as well, because just bringing back stuff, that could be pushed off from one, two, three, four meetings, and then we'll be in this blackout state.