mercurynews--2020-06-24--Finally, the Vision Zero fans speak: ‘Are you really that selfish?’

Q : I was really disappointed about your recent Vision Zero columns.The core principle of Vision Zero is that human life is more important than driver convenience .
If we can ’ t accept the idea of slowing down commutes so others survive the day , then that is sad .
A : Most complaints roared in from motorists upset about lanes being removed , narrowed , turns restricted , signals shortened and bicycle lanes installed .
Some labeled those ideas a failure .
Today , another view .
Q : I can ’ t believe people are willing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commute for human lives .
Vision Zero means no more unnecessary deaths of pedestrians .
It aims to make the streets safer for all .
It ’ s absolutely bizarre to me that there ’ s opposition to this .
If you want to get somewhere quick , we have freeways designed for that .
But a 25-mph residential street is 25 mph for a reason .
Do these people really want to run over a kid just to get to work quicker ?
A : Of course not .
Q : I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to physical limitations , but I still support the Vision Zero changes .
I see pedestrians and bicyclists dealing with speeders , red-light runners and self-absorbed people who think their schedule is more important than the lives of everyone around them .
Changing street designs to help keep them safe is a worthy goal and needs to be expanded .
It saddens me that the “ me first ” people complaining apparently think that the safety of others is less important than their own selfish convenience .
Q : The worst thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to build our cities and suburbs to accommodate cars as the principal method of personal transportation .
We are not willing to pay our government the taxes that it will take to build our way out of congestion .
Given our current transportation situation , every reasonable person has a visceral understanding of the need for less driving and fewer cars .
We can reduce driving by making it more expensive and less convenient to use a single occupant automobile .
However , people will change their driving habits only when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zero is just a nudge in that direction .
A : It ’ s a nudge that ’ s going statewide and could include a push for speed cameras .
We might know in another year .
Q : Thanks for agreeing to tackle the Vision Zero debacle .
It ’ s a very emotional subject .
A : Now that is an understatement .
Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat noon Wednesday at www.mercurynews.com/live-chats.Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow @ bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5335 .

Q: I was really disappointed about your recent Vision Zero columns.The core principle of Vision Zero is that human life is more important than driver convenience. If we can’t accept the idea of slowing down commutes so others survive the day, then that is sad.
Robin A.
A: Most complaints roared in from motorists upset about lanes being removed, narrowed, turns restricted, signals shortened and bicycle lanes installed. Some labeled those ideas a failure. Today, another view.
Q: I can’t believe people are willing to sacrifice a few seconds shaved off their commute for human lives. Vision Zero means no more unnecessary deaths of pedestrians. It aims to make the streets safer for all.
It’s absolutely bizarre to me that there’s opposition to this. If you want to get somewhere quick, we have freeways designed for that. But a 25-mph residential street is 25 mph for a reason. Do these people really want to run over a kid just to get to work quicker?
Michael Foster, San Jose
A: Of course not.
Q: I am neither a pedestrian nor a bicyclist due to physical limitations, but I still support the Vision Zero changes. I see pedestrians and bicyclists dealing with speeders, red-light runners and self-absorbed people who think their schedule is more important than the lives of everyone around them.
Changing street designs to help keep them safe is a worthy goal and needs to be expanded.
It saddens me that the “me first” people complaining apparently think that the safety of others is less important than their own selfish convenience.
Rick Douglas, San Jose
A: And …
Q:The worst thing that we as a culture have done is to build our cities and suburbs to accommodate cars as the principal method of personal transportation. We are not willing to pay our government the taxes that it will take to build our way out of congestion. Given our current transportation situation, every reasonable person has a visceral understanding of the need for less driving and fewer cars.
We can reduce driving by making it more expensive and less convenient to use a single occupant automobile. However, people will change their driving habits only when the alternatives makes sense for them. Vision Zero is just a nudge in that direction.
Ole Ohlson, Pittsburg
A: It’s a nudge that’s going statewide and could include a push for speed cameras. We might know in another year.
Q: Thanks for agreeing to tackle the Vision Zero debacle. It’s a very emotional subject.
Laura Winter, San Jose
A: Now that is an understatement.
Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat noon Wednesday at www.mercurynews.com/live-chats.Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5335.


mercurynews--2020-06-24--San Jose mayor releases extensive police reform plan to investigate officers, audit spending

Following through on a promise to reform the city ’ s police department while resisting activists ’ demands to gouge its budget , San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo on Wednesday unveiled a nine-point plan to strengthen oversight and accountability of the force .
Liccardo ’ s plan calls for conducting a full audit of the police department ’ s $ 449 million budget so officials can identify where potential cuts could be made without severely reducing services .
The proposed reforms would include creating a public demographic database of everyone stopped and detained within the city , banning the use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority to investigate police misconduct from the department ’ s Internal Affairs unit to an outside party , such as the independent police auditor .
“ This isn ’ t the final word on meaningful reform in San Jose , ” Liccardo said in an interview about the plan .
“ This is just part one of the conversations that we know will last many weeks and months.
” The mayor ’ s new proposal comes about three weeks after San Jose residents took to the streets to join nationwide protests over police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis .
Citing a need to crack down on incidents of violence and burglary during the first few days of demonstrations , city officials instituted a citywide curfew order and officers clad in riot gear fired rubber bullets and tear gas into crowds — at times without distinguishing between peaceful protesters and passive bystanders and those potentially committing crimes .
The officers ’ hostile response to protesters — marked by Officer Jared Yuen ’ s taunts of “ Let ’ s get this motherf—er ” and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Jose residents to join a growing nationwide chorus demanding that elected officials defund law enforcement agencies and divert the money toward community-led interventions and programs .
In contrast to city officials in Los Angeles and Minneapolis who heeded those calls , Liccardo rebuffed the outcry from hundreds of residents to defund San Jose ’ s police department , noting the force is already so small that some residents have been asking for more cops on the streets over the years .
He said he favors reforms over slashing budgets .
In particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI ’ s Crime Data Explorer showing that San Jose has less than half the ratio of officers to residents than both Los Angeles and San Francisco and less than a fifth than New York and Chicago .
Liccardo acknowledged that he ’ s “ fairly confident ” some residents will not think the plan goes far enough , but he said , “ this is not about making everyone happy.
” “ This is about taking significant steps forward on a path of reform that will put us well ahead of nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
A summary of the mayor ’ s nine-point plan includes the following steps : • Negotiate changes to the city ’ s contract with the Police Officers Association to improve transparency in the arbitration process for police accountability • Expand authority of the independent police auditor over use-of-force allegations • Expand opportunities for the city ’ s children of color , including offering college scholarships to those who commit to serving as a police officer for several years • Explore options for separating SJPD ’ s responsibilities between criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of rubber bullets and conduct a full review of the police department ’ s use-of-force policy • Update the city charter to expand the mayor ’ s authority to oversee actions of the police chief and city manager • Leverage data for better recruiting , training and early intervention • Conduct a public audit of the police department ’ s budget and spending The San Jose Police Department attempted to quell the concerns of some residents earlier this month by quickly instituting a ban on rubber bullets to disperse crowds and updating crowd-control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rubber bullets to be fired in crowds , such as at protests , when an aggressor threatens to harm others .
Liccardo said dozens of accounts from journalists and non-violent protesters earlier this month showed that the projectiles are “ a very imprecise tool , with a high probability of inaccuracy , ” which is why he wants the city council to ban them entirely .
Liccardo ’ s proposal aims to serve as a road map for the city ’ s police department and city administrators to follow as they develop city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures in the nine-step plan , including further analysis of city policing data and exploring options to separate non-criminal and criminal response protocol , could be achieved with funding set aside in the city ’ s 2020-2021 budget that was finalized Tuesday night and a newly established Office of Racial Equality .
The San Jose City Council next week is already expected to move forward with a November ballot measure that would expand the purview of the city ’ s independent police auditor to review complaints made within the department and enable largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IPA currently reviews citizen and community complaints made directly to them or internal affairs , but their scope does not cover incidents where police officers and employees initiate complaints against each other .
But other reforms , such as changes to the arbitration and investigation processes of police misconduct claims , may require additional funding sources not yet pinned down , as well as negotiations with the union that represents the city ’ s police force , the Police Officers Association .
“ Given where we are today , we need to rethink @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take some time , ” Liccardo said .
“ It ’ s not going to happen overnight and it ’ s going to require a lot of negotiation and community engagement.
” This story will be updated .

In an attempt to follow through on a promise to reform the city’s police department while resisting activists’ demands to gouge its budget, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo on Wednesday unveiled a nine-point plan to strengthen oversight and accountability of the force.
Liccardo’s plan calls for conducting a full audit of the police department’s $449 million budget so officials can identify where potential cuts could be made in future budget decisions. The proposed reforms would include creating a public demographic database of everyone stopped and detained within the city, banning the use of rubber bullets in all crowd situations and transferring the authority to investigate police misconduct from the department’s Internal Affairs unit to an outside entity, such as the independent police auditor.
“This isn’t the final word on meaningful reform in San Jose,” Liccardo said in an interview about the plan. “This is just part one of the conversations that we know will last many weeks and months.”
The mayor’s new proposal comes about three weeks after San Jose residents took to the streets to join nationwide protests over police killings and racism in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis. Citing a need to crack down on incidents of violence and burglary during the first few days of demonstrations, city officials instituted a citywide curfew order and officers clad in riot gear fired rubber bullets and tear gas into crowds — at times without distinguishing between peaceful protesters and passive bystanders and those potentially committing crimes.
The officers’ hostile response to protesters — marked by Officer Jared Yuen’s taunts of “Let’s get this motherf—er” and “Shut up bitch” — prompted many San Jose residents to join a growing nationwide chorus demanding that elected officials defund law enforcement agencies and divert the money toward community-led interventions and programs.
Community advocates say they’re disappointed with the reform route the mayor is taking and don’t believe it will make lasting impacts on what they see as a broken policing system in America.
The Minneapolis Police Department, for instance, created stricter use-of-force policies, implemented training on implicit bias and diversified the department’s leadership in recent years but that didn’t stop Floyd’s killing. And the type of chokehold used by a New York City officer to kill Eric Garner in 2014 had been banned for more than a decade before.
“I don’t think a lot of these reforms are going to stop people from falling to the ground — to stop Black and brown people from dying at the hands of officers,” Oscar Sandoval, a San Jose educator and community advocate, said in an interview Wednesday. “It clearly shows that (Liccardo) prioritizes his image and future political aspirations over the will and voices of the people.”
In a letter to the city council earlier this month, a group of families affected by police killings in San Jose and the community advocacy organization Silicon Valley De-Bug submitted a list of demands to fix what they described as “decades of broken promises and empty reforms” from the city.
The list spelled out a wide array of policy and funding requests — from removing all San Jose police officers responsible for killing people to dismantling the mayor’s Youth Gang Task Force to funding a new sector of first responders to replace officers for calls related to issues such as mental health and domestic violence. None of those requests were outright fulfilled through the city’s 2020-2021 budget adopted earlier this week nor reflected in the mayor’s nine-point reform strategy.
In contrast to city officials in Los Angeles and Minneapolis who heeded activists’ calls, Liccardo rebuffed the outcry from hundreds of residents to defund San Jose’s police department, noting the force is already small and some residents have been asking for more cops on the streets over the years. He said he favors reforms over slashing budgets.
In particular, the mayor cited data from the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer showing that San Jose has less than half the ratio of officers to residents than both Los Angeles and San Francisco and less than a fifth than New York and Chicago.
A summary of the mayor’s nine-point plan includes the following steps:
Negotiate changes to the city’s contract with the Police Officers Association to improve transparency in the arbitration process for police accountability Conduct external, independent investigations of police misconduct Expand authority of the independent police auditor over use-of-force allegations Expand opportunities for the city’s children of color, including offering college scholarships to those who commit to serving as a police officer for several years Explore options for separating SJPD’s responsibilities between criminal and non-criminal matters Ban the use of rubber bullets and conduct a full review of the police department’s use-of-force policy Update the city charter to expand the mayor’s authority to oversee actions of the police chief and city manager Leverage data for better recruiting, training and early intervention Conduct a public audit of the police department’s budget and spending
The police department attempted to quell the concerns of some residents earlier this month by quickly instituting a ban on rubber bullets to disperse crowds and updating crowd-control training. But the department still allows rubber bullets to be fired in crowds, such as at protests, when a person threatens to harm others.
Liccardo said dozens of accounts from journalists and non-violent protesters earlier this month showed that the projectiles are “a very imprecise tool, with a high probability of inaccuracy,” which is why he wants the city council to ban them entirely in crowds and protests.
Liccardo’s proposal aims to serve as a road map for the city’s police department and city administrators to follow as they develop policies and implement the reforms. Some measures in the nine-step plan, including further analysis of city policing data and exploring options to separate non-criminal and criminal response protocol, could be achieved with funding set aside in the city’s 2020-2021 budget that was finalized Tuesday night and a newly established Office of Racial Equality.
The council next week is expected to move forward with a November ballot measure that would expand the purview of the city’s independent police auditor to review complaints made within the department and enable largely unfettered access to police records. The police monitor currently reviews citizen and community complaints made directly to them or internal affairs, but not incidents where police officers and employees initiate complaints against each other.
But other reforms, such as changes to the arbitration and investigation processes of police misconduct claims, may require additional funding sources not yet pinned down, as well as negotiations with the Police Officers Association.
Paul Kelly, president of the POA, said the union will evaluate the mayor’s proposals and that he welcomes Liccardo in “collectively addressing how best to improve police and community outcomes.”


mercurynews--2020-06-24--Monterey County teen accused of selling pills containing fentanyl that caused fatal overdose

Xavier Jimenez-Robledo of Seaside appeared in court Monday on charges that he dealt counterfeit pills containing fentanyl that led to the overdose death of a Carmel Valley man and the overdose of a Pacific Grove minor .
According to a press release from federal prosecutors , Jimenez-Robledo , 19 , is alleged to have sold counterfeit Percocet “ M30 ” pills laced with fentanyl twice between April 13 and May 5 .
“ The drug overdose death alleged in this complaint is both a tragedy and a warning , ” U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson said in a press release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , our community is delivered another tragic reminder that drug trafficking is a serious crime with real victims .
I especially urge the young people of Monterey County to stay away from street drugs made to look like medicine .
Taking even one counterfeit pill one time can be incredibly dangerous.
” An investigation started April 16 when Pacific Grove Police Department officers responded to reports of an unresponsive minor .
Paramedics arrived and administered Naloxone and the minor became responsive and was taken to a local hospital .
Officers searched the minor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be counterfeit Percocet M30 tablets .
According to the press release , the minor had fentanyl in his blood at the time of his overdose .
M30 tablets are round tablets that are light blue with an “ M ” imprinted on one side and “ 30 ” imprinted on the other .
The Drug Enforcement Administration received a separate report on May 5 of another person who had been hospitalized after overdosing and becoming unresponsive .
That 20-year-old man died May 9 .
He allegedly had fentanyl in his blood .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ counterfeit M30 tablets containing fentanyl from his possessions .
“ Counterfeit pills are often sold on the street with unknown amounts of fentanyl but disguised as the real deal , ” DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux said in a statement .
“ As this case demonstrates we will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to federally prosecute cases that involve distribution of a drug that causes serious bodily injury or death.
” Agents identified Jimenez-Robledo as the suspect after pursuing a number of leads including looking at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ M30 tablets .
Investigators pursued the leads to a house in Seaside where on May 21 agents watched Jimenez-Robledo give a small plastic baggie to an unidentified subject who then gave Jimenez-Robledo money .
Between May 21 and May 24 , the agents saw numerous vehicles stop at the house for short periods and meet with individuals who had access to the house .
Jimenez Robledo was arrested in Marina on June 16 and made his initial appearance in federal court in San Francisco on June 17 .
If convicted , he faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a fine of $ 1,000,000 , for each violation .

Xavier Jimenez-Robledo of Seaside appeared in court Monday on charges that he dealt counterfeit pills containing fentanyl that led to the overdose death of a Carmel Valley man and the overdose of a Pacific Grove minor.
According to a press release from federal prosecutors, Jimenez-Robledo, 19, is alleged to have sold counterfeit Percocet “M30” pills laced with fentanyl twice between April 13 and May 5.
“The drug overdose death alleged in this complaint is both a tragedy and a warning,” U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson said in a press release. “With every drug overdose death, our community is delivered another tragic reminder that drug trafficking is a serious crime with real victims. I especially urge the young people of Monterey County to stay away from street drugs made to look like medicine. Taking even one counterfeit pill one time can be incredibly dangerous.”
An investigation started April 16 when Pacific Grove Police Department officers responded to reports of an unresponsive minor. Paramedics arrived and administered Naloxone and the minor became responsive and was taken to a local hospital. Officers searched the minor’s bedroom and found what appeared to be counterfeit Percocet M30 tablets. According to the press release, the minor had fentanyl in his blood at the time of his overdose. M30 tablets are round tablets that are light blue with an “M” imprinted on one side and “30” imprinted on the other.
The Drug Enforcement Administration received a separate report on May 5 of another person who had been hospitalized after overdosing and becoming unresponsive. That 20-year-old man died May 9. He allegedly had fentanyl in his blood. DEA agents recovered what appeared to be counterfeit M30 tablets containing fentanyl from his possessions.
“Counterfeit pills are often sold on the street with unknown amounts of fentanyl but disguised as the real deal,” DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux said in a statement. “As this case demonstrates we will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to federally prosecute cases that involve distribution of a drug that causes serious bodily injury or death.”
Agents identified Jimenez-Robledo as the suspect after pursuing a number of leads including looking at the victims’ Snapchat communications arranging to purchase M30 tablets. Investigators pursued the leads to a house in Seaside where on May 21 agents watched Jimenez-Robledo give a small plastic baggie to an unidentified subject who then gave Jimenez-Robledo money. Between May 21 and May 24, the agents saw numerous vehicles stop at the house for short periods and meet with individuals who had access to the house.
Jimenez Robledo was arrested in Marina on June 16 and made his initial appearance in federal court in San Francisco on June 17. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years, and a fine of $1,000,000, for each violation.


mercurynews--2020-06-24--Santa Cruz becomes first U.S. city to approve ban on predictive policing

SANTA CRUZ — After fostering the development of predictive-policing technology a decade ago , Santa Cruz on Tuesday became the first city in the U.S. to approve a ban on its use .
Both predictive policing and facial-recognition technologies were barred from use by Santa Cruz police under a closely watched ordinance unanimously approved by the City Council .
San Francisco , Oakland and several other cities banned police use of facial-recognition earlier this year , but civil liberties advocates said the predictive policing ban represents the first of its kind nationwide .
Santa Cruz ’ s ban prohibits police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval from the City Council via a resolution based on “ findings that the technology and the data that informs the technology meets scientifically validated and peer reviewed research , protects and safe guards the civil rights and liberties of all people , and will not perpetuate bias.
” The city ’ s move was backed by a coalition of dozens of civil liberty and racial justice groups , including the ACLU of Northern California , the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Santa Cruz chapter of the NAACP .
“ Facial recognition and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of overbearing and racially discriminatory policing that people are protesting against , ” the coalition wrote in a letter to the City Council .
“ Even if used with the best of intentions , both jeopardize the safety and civil rights of Santa Cruz residents.
” It was also backed by Santa Cruz Police Chief Andy Mills , who has said his department ceased use of predictive policing in 2017 .
“ Predictive policing has been shown over time to put officers in conflict with communities rather than working with communities , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a relatively new technology that takes in crime data and runs it through an algorithm to predict where crime is most likely to occur in the future .
First used by Los Angeles police , the technology was further developed by Santa Cruz police and touted by local officials in the early 2010s ; PredPol , a leading developer of the predictive software , was founded in Santa Cruz in 2012 with the involvement and support of some local officials .
Use of the predictive technology has in some cases correlated with — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported crime in Santa Cruz and other cities .
But its critics claim its use further cements biased police practices that disproportionately impact minority residents , cloaking those existing biases under the cover of algorithmic rigor .
Facial recognition technology , meanwhile , has faced even more widespread criticism as evidence of algorithmic bias has emerged .
A federal study released in December found facial recognition algorithms were up to 100 times more likely to misidentify Black and Asian people , compared to white men .
Focus on police reforms has found renewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the death of George Floyd , but Santa Cruz ’ s ordinance emerged from a broader January proposal that predates the nationwide demonstrations .
More recently , Santa Cruz police have rolled out a number of departmental reforms — including banning choke holds in advance of a statewide ban .
Mills said Tuesday his department is working on policy changes to bar “ no knock ” search warrants , the kind of search that resulted in the death of Louisville resident Breonna Taylor in March .
Also Tuesday , the city council created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a community advisory group to evaluate further police reforms .
Tuesday ’ s vote represents a striking reversal from a decade earlier , when police and city officials touted results from an experiment with predictive policing that led to the founding of PredPol .
Two Santa Cruz County supervisors , Zach Friend and Ryan Coonerty , were involved in getting the company off the ground .
Coonerty , formerly a Santa Cruz mayor , was an early backer who reportedly helped raise more than $ 1 million in venture funding for PredPol before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and strategy .
Friend worked to test the underlying technology as a crime analyst at the Santa Cruz police department and served on the company ’ s board .
That history is a noteworthy wrinkle in the city ’ s path to Tuesday ’ s vote , according to Peter Gelblum , chair of the Santa Cruz chapter of the ACLU of Northern California .
“ It ’ s particularly interesting that it sort of started here , ” Gelblum said , referencing PredPol ’ s founding and connection to local elected officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supports the city ’ s ordinance , according to a letter to the council from CEO Brian MacDonald .
“ Given the racial inequalities pervasive throughout American history and society , we as a company support this language , ” MacDonald wrote .
“ In fact , we would even go so far as to recommend that this standard be applied to all technologies adopted by the city of Santa Cruz , whether used for law enforcement purposes or not.
” • Letter : Asians need to score 140 points higher than white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to feed its algorithm , according to the letter : Crime type , location and date and time .
It does not use arrest or traffic stop data , and does not make predictions for crimes that “ have the possibility of officer-initiated bias ” such as drug crimes and prostitution , according to the letter .
MacDonald wrote that the company is “ confident that we meet the conditions in this resolution and are prepared to offer our services to the city again if it sees a need at some point in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t reviewed the company ’ s letter , but he said that he believed the Santa Cruz ordinance set a high bar for any exemption by requiring the council to approve numerous specific findings .
“ What I first thought was a caveat ( to the ordinance ) actually strengthens it , ” he said .

SANTA CRUZ — After fostering the development of predictive-policing technology a decade ago, Santa Cruz on Tuesday became the first city in the U.S. to approve a ban on its use.
Both predictive policing and facial-recognition technologies were barred from use by Santa Cruz police under a closely watched ordinance unanimously approved by the City Council. San Francisco, Oakland and several other cities banned police use of facial-recognition earlier this year, but civil liberties advocates said the predictive policing ban represents the first of its kind nationwide.
Santa Cruz’s ban prohibits police use of both technologies except with explicit approval from the City Council via a resolution based on “findings that the technology and the data that informs the technology meets scientifically validated and peer reviewed research, protects and safe guards the civil rights and liberties of all people, and will not perpetuate bias.”
The city’s move was backed by a coalition of dozens of civil liberty and racial justice groups, including the ACLU of Northern California, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Santa Cruz chapter of the NAACP.
“Facial recognition and predictive policing technology foster the exact type of overbearing and racially discriminatory policing that people are protesting against,” the coalition wrote in a letter to the City Council. “Even if used with the best of intentions, both jeopardize the safety and civil rights of Santa Cruz residents.”
It was also backed by Santa Cruz Police Chief Andy Mills, who has said his department ceased use of predictive policing in 2017.
“Predictive policing has been shown over time to put officers in conflict with communities rather than working with communities,” Mills said Tuesday.
Predictive policing is a relatively new technology that takes in crime data and runs it through an algorithm to predict where crime is most likely to occur in the future. First used by Los Angeles police, the technology was further developed by Santa Cruz police and touted by local officials in the early 2010s; PredPol, a leading developer of the predictive software, was founded in Santa Cruz in 2012 with the involvement and support of some local officials.
Use of the predictive technology has in some cases correlated with — though not necessarily caused — reductions in reported crime in Santa Cruz and other cities. But its critics claim its use further cements biased police practices that disproportionately impact minority residents, cloaking those existing biases under the cover of algorithmic rigor.
Facial recognition technology, meanwhile, has faced even more widespread criticism as evidence of algorithmic bias has emerged. A federal study released in December found facial recognition algorithms were up to 100 times more likely to misidentify Black and Asian people, compared to white men.
Focus on police reforms has found renewed energy amid the outpouring of protests over the death of George Floyd, but Santa Cruz’s ordinance emerged from a broader January proposal that predates the nationwide demonstrations.
More recently, Santa Cruz police have rolled out a number of departmental reforms — including banning choke holds in advance of a statewide ban. Mills said Tuesday his department is working on policy changes to bar “no knock” search warrants, the kind of search that resulted in the death of Louisville resident Breonna Taylor in March.
Also Tuesday, the city council created a working group of council members and a community advisory group to evaluate further police reforms.
Tuesday’s vote represents a striking reversal from a decade earlier, when police and city officials touted results from an experiment with predictive policing that led to the founding of PredPol.
Two Santa Cruz County supervisors, Zach Friend and Ryan Coonerty, were involved in getting the company off the ground.
Coonerty, formerly a Santa Cruz mayor, was an early backer who reportedly helped raise more than $1 million in venture funding for PredPol before working as its director of government relations and strategy. Friend worked to test the underlying technology as a crime analyst at the Santa Cruz police department and served on the company’s board.
That history is a noteworthy wrinkle in the city’s path to Tuesday’s vote, according to Peter Gelblum, chair of the Santa Cruz chapter of the ACLU of Northern California.
“It’s particularly interesting that it sort of started here,” Gelblum said, referencing PredPol’s founding and connection to local elected officials.
In another noteworthy wrinkle, PrepPol supports the city’s ordinance, according to a letter to the council from CEO Brian MacDonald.
“Given the racial inequalities pervasive throughout American history and society, we as a company support this language,” MacDonald wrote. “In fact, we would even go so far as to recommend that this standard be applied to all technologies adopted by the city of Santa Cruz, whether used for law enforcement purposes or not.”
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Biotech firm settles with family over cells for research Crime and Public Safety | Opinion: Reparations to Black Californians is now up to Newsom PredPol uses only three data points to feed its algorithm, according to the letter: Crime type, location and date and time. It does not use arrest or traffic stop data, and does not make predictions for crimes that “have the possibility of officer-initiated bias” such as drug crimes and prostitution, according to the letter.
MacDonald wrote that the company is “confident that we meet the conditions in this resolution and are prepared to offer our services to the city again if it sees a need at some point in the future.”
Gelblum said he hadn’t reviewed the company’s letter, but he said that he believed the Santa Cruz ordinance set a high bar for any exemption by requiring the council to approve numerous specific findings.
“What I first thought was a caveat (to the ordinance) actually strengthens it,” he said.


mercurynews--2020-06-24--Starbucks partners with Impossible Foods on a plant-based breakfast sandwich

The Impossible Breakfast Sandwich went on the chain ’ s summer menu on Tuesday .
It features a meat-free sausage @ @ @ @ @ a cage-free fried egg and cheddar cheese on ciabatta bread .
Starbucks also added a @ @ @ @ @ Cold Brew with Cinnamon Almondmilk Foam and Cold Brew with Dark Cocoa Almondmilk Foam .
@ @ @ @ @ and Beyond Meat products have been a hot trend in recent years .
They are @ @ @ @ @ , and taste the same as beef and pork .
They are aimed at flexitarians @ @ @ @ @ cut back on meat consumption for heath or ethical reasons .

Starbucks now has a plant-based breakfast item.
The Impossible Breakfast Sandwich went on the chain’s summer menu on Tuesday. It features a meat-free sausage patty from Impossible Foods, a cage-free fried egg and cheddar cheese on ciabatta bread.
Starbucks also added a couple of coffee options: Cold Brew with Cinnamon Almondmilk Foam and Cold Brew with Dark Cocoa Almondmilk Foam.
Meat substitutes such as Impossible and Beyond Meat products have been a hot trend in recent years. They are engineered to look, cook, and taste the same as beef and pork. They are aimed at flexitarians, people who want to cut back on meat consumption for heath or ethical reasons.
Burger King also recently launched a plant-based breakfast sandwich, the Impossible Croissan’wich.
Information: starbucks.com


mercurynews--2020-06-24--LA County reports nearly 5,000 new coronavirus cases in two days

Los Angeles County public health officials reported another 2,364 cases of the coronavirus Tuesday , June 23 , which , when added with Monday ’ s tally , contributed to the county ’ s biggest two-day total since the pandemic began — a sign , officials said , that the virus is still spreading .
The county has confirmed nearly 5,000 additional cases over Monday and Tuesday .
Public health officials on Tuesday also reported that another 34 people had died from coronavirus-related causes , bringing the countywide death toll to 3,171 people .
So far , 82,262 people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused by the coronavirus .
“ To the family and friends of people who have passed away from COVID-19 , we wish you healing and peace during this sad and difficult time , ” Barbara Ferrer , the county ’ s director of Public Health , said in a press release .
“ The recent increase in daily cases and rates of positive test results indicates that there is more community spread of COVID-19 in LA County.
” Tuesday ’ s totals follow a series of high case counts in recent days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it amounted to a surge they should be worried about — even as more and more businesses reopen after months of being shuttered to stem the spread of the coronavirus .
The number of new cases are often reflective of an increase in test results reported to the county , though the total average testing has not changed much in weeks .
On Monday , the county reported 2,571 new cases , the highest daily case count since the pandemic began .
On Saturday , the county reported its second-highest daily new case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the date of first symptoms — a better way , officials say , to measure the trends — the highest number of cases in a day was 1,772 positive results , which occurred on June 8 .
As for deaths and hospitalizations , the metrics public health officials watch most closely , the county is still in fairly good shape , though numbers have ticked upward .
As of Tuesday , 1,515 people were hospitalized for the virus , down from a high of nearly 2,000 on April 28 .
Deaths were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period , down from a daily average of 50 in April .
Ferrer , who ’ s office recently began limiting its press briefings to three times per week , said Monday that staffers have received death threats since March .
• Disneyland will be last Disney theme park to reopen worldwide • Yosemite : No additional campsites to open until after July • At Arizona church rally , Trump gets a more boisterous crowd Nearly 1 million people have been tested for the coronavirus in L.A. County .
The daily average number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little over the past six weeks .
The seven-day average for daily tests administered reached more than 21,000 as of Saturday , June 21 , and has dropped a little since then .
Average tests were last that high in the first week of May .
Tuesday ’ s numbers did not include Tuesday updates from Long Beach or Pasadena , both of which have their own health departments .
Long Beach on Tuesday reported one death , bringing the citywide total to 121 .
Long Beach also confirmed an additional 231 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that total to 3,273 .
Pasadena had not update its coronavirus numbers as of 3:15 p.m. Tuesday .
But as of Monday , the city had confirmed 88 deaths related to the coronavirus and 1,177 cases .

Los Angeles County public health officials reported another 2,364 cases of the coronavirus Tuesday, June 23, which, when added with Monday’s tally, contributed to the county’s biggest two-day total since the pandemic began — a sign, officials said, that the virus is still spreading.
The county has confirmed nearly 5,000 additional cases over Monday and Tuesday.
Public health officials on Tuesday also reported that another 34 people had died from coronavirus-related causes, bringing the countywide death toll to 3,171 people.
So far, 82,262 people have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
“To the family and friends of people who have passed away from COVID-19, we wish you healing and peace during this sad and difficult time,” Barbara Ferrer, the county’s director of Public Health, said in a press release. “The recent increase in daily cases and rates of positive test results indicates that there is more community spread of COVID-19 in LA County.”
Tuesday’s totals follow a series of high case counts in recent days, though officials were still hesitant to say it amounted to a surge they should be worried about — even as more and more businesses reopen after months of being shuttered to stem the spread of the coronavirus. The number of new cases are often reflective of an increase in test results reported to the county, though the total average testing has not changed much in weeks.
On Monday, the county reported 2,571 new cases, the highest daily case count since the pandemic began. On Saturday, the county reported its second-highest daily new case count, at 2,056. When reported by the date of first symptoms — a better way, officials say, to measure the trends — the highest number of cases in a day was 1,772 positive results, which occurred on June 8.
As for deaths and hospitalizations, the metrics public health officials watch most closely, the county is still in fairly good shape, though numbers have ticked upward. As of Tuesday, 1,515 people were hospitalized for the virus, down from a high of nearly 2,000 on April 28. Deaths were averaging 30 a day over a seven-day period, down from a daily average of 50 in April.
Ferrer, who’s office recently began limiting its press briefings to three times per week, said Monday that staffers have received death threats since March.
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Tuesday’s numbers did not include Tuesday updates from Long Beach or Pasadena, both of which have their own health departments.
Long Beach on Tuesday reported one death, bringing the citywide total to 121. Long Beach also confirmed an additional 231 cases, from Sunday and Monday, bringing that total to 3,273.
Pasadena had not update its coronavirus numbers as of 3:15 p.m. Tuesday. But as of Monday, the city had confirmed 88 deaths related to the coronavirus and 1,177 cases.


mercurynews--2020-06-24--Disneyland will be last Disney theme park to reopen worldwide

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will be the last Disney parks to reopen worldwide following the extended coronavirus closures of all 12 Disney theme parks around the globe .
Disney has proposed reopening its Anaheim theme parks on July 17 pending government approval .
The Downtown Disney outdoor shopping mall will resume operations on July 9 .
Disney ’ s Grand Californian and Disney ’ s Paradise Pier hotels will reopen on July 23 .
Disneyland has been closed since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Tokyo Disney became the last Disney resort to announce a reopening date .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ parks will reopen on July 1 .
All of the other Disney theme park resorts around the globe have reopened or announced reopening plans .
The Shanghai Disneyland theme park in China reopened on May 11 .
Hong Kong Disneyland reopened on June 18 .
Disney ’ s theme park resort in France — home to Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park — will reopen on July 15 .
The Walt Disney World resort in Florida plans a phased reopening .
The Magic Kingdom and Disney ’ s Animal Kingdom theme parks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Disney ’ s Hollywood Studios will return on July 15 .
That means Disney ’ s Anaheim theme parks will be the last to reopen — whether the July 17 date is approved by California officials or pushed back .
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That distinction belongs to Hong Kong Disneyland , which was closed for 144 days — or nearly five months .
Disneyland and DCA will have been closed for 125 days — or just over four months — if they reopen on the proposed date .
That ’ s longer than all the other Disney parks around the globe : Shanghai Disneyland ( 107 days ) , Magic Kingdom and Disney ’ s Animal Kingdom ( 117 days ) , Epcot and Disney ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park ( 121 days ) and Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea ( 123 days ) .
Disney ’ s parks in China closed in late January .
The Tokyo Disney resort closed in late February .
Disney ’ s parks in California , Florida and France closed in mid-March .

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will be the last Disney parks to reopen worldwide following the extended coronavirus closures of all 12 Disney theme parks around the globe.
Disney has proposed reopening its Anaheim theme parks on July 17 pending government approval. The Downtown Disney outdoor shopping mall will resume operations on July 9. Disney’s Grand Californian and Disney’s Paradise Pier hotels will reopen on July 23.
Disneyland has been closed since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tokyo Disney became the last Disney resort to announce a reopening date. The Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea theme parks will reopen on July 1.
All of the other Disney theme park resorts around the globe have reopened or announced reopening plans.
The Shanghai Disneyland theme park in China reopened on May 11. Hong Kong Disneyland reopened on June 18.
Disney’s theme park resort in France — home to Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park — will reopen on July 15.
The Walt Disney World resort in Florida plans a phased reopening. The Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme parks will reopen on July 11 while Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will return on July 15.
That means Disney’s Anaheim theme parks will be the last to reopen — whether the July 17 date is approved by California officials or pushed back.
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Disneyland and DCA will have been closed for 125 days — or just over four months — if they reopen on the proposed date.
That’s longer than all the other Disney parks around the globe: Shanghai Disneyland (107 days), Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom (117 days), Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (121 days), Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park (121 days) and Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea (123 days).
Disney’s parks in China closed in late January. The Tokyo Disney resort closed in late February. Disney’s parks in California, Florida and France closed in mid-March.


mercurynews--2020-06-24--2019 Monterey County Crop Report lists leaf lettuce in top spot, cannabis in fifth

SALINAS – The 2019 Monterey County Crop Report released Tuesday shows the overall production value of the agriculture industry in the county was up 3.5 % to $ 4.4 billion .
Leaf lettuce is the top crop followed by strawberries , head lettuce , and broccoli rounding out the top four in the main report .
The Crop Report also includes , for the first time , a supplemental Cannabis Production report that shows the overall production value of Cannabis at $ 449,688,000 in 2019 , putting it fifth in line of top crops .
“ It ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of Monterey County National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws and the Coastal Growers Association .
Johnson said he was proud to see cannabis included as part of agriculture and as a reported commodity .
Coastal Growers Association is a nonprofit organization consisting of cultivators , transporters , manufacturers , nurseries , testing labs , distributors , dispensaries and researchers in the Central Coast regions of California .
The cannabis data revealed a gross production value of almost $ 450 million that was cultivated on 86 acres in one year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ seasonal and number in the thousands .
Johnson said cannabis in Monterey County also generated $ 14 million to $ 15 million in taxes and estimates up to $ 20 million for 2020 .
He also thanked Monterey County Supervisors Luis Alejo and Chris Lopez for advocating for the fair treatment of the cannabis industry .
Cannabis is still considered a Schedule 1 drug by the federal government but has been legal for medical use in California since 1996 and for recreational use by adults since 2016 .
In 2019 , legislation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D-Carmel , was passed in California authorizing a county agricultural commissioner to report to the condition , acreage , production and value of cannabis produced in the commissioner ’ s county under a cultivation license issued under the Medicinal and Adult-use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act .
Even so , because federal law still prohibits cannabis for medicinal and recreational use , the cannabis data is included as a pull-out supplement .
Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner Henry Gonzales released the state-required annual crop report documents which detail the increases and decreases of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 Crop Report showcases more than 80 different commodities .
The 2019 Crop Report shows top crops that included increases between 5 % and 15 % .
As the top crop , leaf lettuce had a 14.6 % increase from 2018 , mostly due to better pricing for Romaine lettuce .
Strawberries , in the No .
2 position , benefited from improved pricing as well with a 4.9 % increase .
Head lettuce , the third most valuable crop , climbed 11.9 % due to increased production and higher average pricing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasing 17.6 % , thanks to increased production .
Vegetable Crops showed a 13.6 % increase over 2018 .
The Fruits and Nuts category decreased $ 15,710,000 to $ 1,028,146,000 primarily due to a 24.8 % reduction in wine grapes for a total of $ 186,096,000 .
Without wine grapes , there was an increase in Fruits and Nuts of 5.7 % .
Nursery Crops fell 29.5 % as a result of decreased acreage , production and prices influenced by an increase in imports and demand for cannabis greenhouse production , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season , above-average rainfall , the Field Crops category , which includes livestock , alfalfa and pastureland , had an increase in value by $ 806,000 to $ 24,554,000 .
Livestock and Poultry were stable at $ 110,580,000 .
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The panel of speakers at the unveiling of the 2019 Crop Report included Gonzales , Johnson , Carolyn O ’ Donnell , California Strawberry Commission , Chris Valadez , Grower-Shipper Association of Central California , Colby Pereira , Monterey County Farm Bureau Board of Directors president , and Kim Stemler , Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association executive director .
The 2019 Monterey County Crop Report and the Cannabis Production Report can be downloaded from the Agricultural Commissioner ’ s website at ag.co.monterey.ca.us/

SALINAS – The 2019 Monterey County Crop Report released Tuesday shows the overall production value of the agriculture industry in the county was up 3.5% to $4.4 billion. Leaf lettuce is the top crop followed by strawberries, head lettuce, and broccoli rounding out the top four in the main report.
The Crop Report also includes, for the first time, a supplemental Cannabis Production report that shows the overall production value of Cannabis at $449,688,000 in 2019, putting it fifth in line of top crops.
“It’s a historic day,” said Aaron Johnson, of Monterey County National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws and the Coastal Growers Association.
Johnson said he was proud to see cannabis included as part of agriculture and as a reported commodity.
Coastal Growers Association is a nonprofit organization consisting of cultivators, transporters, manufacturers, nurseries, testing labs, distributors, dispensaries and researchers in the Central Coast regions of California.
The cannabis data revealed a gross production value of almost $450 million that was cultivated on 86 acres in one year. The jobs the industry creates are not seasonal and number in the thousands.
Johnson said cannabis in Monterey County also generated $14 million to $15 million in taxes and estimates up to $20 million for 2020. He also thanked Monterey County Supervisors Luis Alejo and Chris Lopez for advocating for the fair treatment of the cannabis industry.
Cannabis is still considered a Schedule 1 drug by the federal government but has been legal for medical use in California since 1996 and for recreational use by adults since 2016. In 2019, legislation, written by State Senator Bill Monning, D-Carmel, was passed in California authorizing a county agricultural commissioner to report to the condition, acreage, production and value of cannabis produced in the commissioner’s county under a cultivation license issued under the Medicinal and Adult-use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act.
Even so, because federal law still prohibits cannabis for medicinal and recreational use, the cannabis data is included as a pull-out supplement.
Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner Henry Gonzales released the state-required annual crop report documents which detail the increases and decreases of the county’s ag commodities. The 2019 Crop Report showcases more than 80 different commodities.
The 2019 Crop Report shows top crops that included increases between 5% and 15%. As the top crop, leaf lettuce had a 14.6% increase from 2018, mostly due to better pricing for Romaine lettuce. Strawberries, in the No. 2 position, benefited from improved pricing as well with a 4.9% increase. Head lettuce, the third most valuable crop, climbed 11.9% due to increased production and higher average pricing. Broccoli held to the fourth position, increasing 17.6%, thanks to increased production.
Vegetable Crops showed a 13.6% increase over 2018. The Fruits and Nuts category decreased $15,710,000 to $1,028,146,000 primarily due to a 24.8% reduction in wine grapes for a total of $186,096,000. Without wine grapes, there was an increase in Fruits and Nuts of 5.7%. Nursery Crops fell 29.5% as a result of decreased acreage, production and prices influenced by an increase in imports and demand for cannabis greenhouse production, according to the Ag Commissioner.
Due to late season, above-average rainfall, the Field Crops category, which includes livestock, alfalfa and pastureland, had an increase in value by $806,000 to $24,554,000. Livestock and Poultry were stable at $110,580,000.
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The panel of speakers at the unveiling of the 2019 Crop Report included Gonzales, Johnson, Carolyn O’Donnell, California Strawberry Commission, Chris Valadez, Grower-Shipper Association of Central California, Colby Pereira, Monterey County Farm Bureau Board of Directors president, and Kim Stemler, Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association executive director.
The 2019 Monterey County Crop Report and the Cannabis Production Report can be downloaded from the Agricultural Commissioner’s website at ag.co.monterey.ca.us/


mercurynews--2020-06-24--Joe Biden to win popular vote by 10%, Chapman University economic model predicts

A forecasting model based on the economy predicts Vice President Joe Biden will win the popular vote by a 10 % margin during the presidential contest in November .
The model was developed at Chapman University in Orange by Economist and past Chapman President Jim Doti with help from students in his econometrics class .
Doti said there ’ s no guarantee the model will be accurate this time because voters may not tie President Donald Trump ’ s handling of the economy to this year ’ s pandemic-caused recession .
But the model has been accurate in calling the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. presidential elections , dating back to the Dwight Eisenhower-Adlai Stevenson face-off in 1956 .
The only miss was in 1960 when the equation called for then-Vice President Richard Nixon to beat John F. Kennedy by a tiny margin .
The actual outcome — a JFK win by a tiny margin — varied from the model ’ s forecast by just a small amount .
The model uses economic variables such as real gross domestic product , inflation and job growth to see how an incumbent will fare in the popular vote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ model are almost identical to actual popular vote outcomes .
“ Not only is it accurate , it gets the … extent of the wins on the incumbent party side and the losses as well , ” Doti said Tuesday , June 23 , during the online presentation of the latest Chapman economic forecast .
Doti noted this year ’ s devastating second-quarter data aren ’ t favorable to Trump .
The annualized GDP is projected to suffer an unprecedented 35 % plunge , and the unemployment rate is projected to hit 19.7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers .
“ It turns out the equation calls for a minus 10 % loss in the popular vote for the incumbent party , ” Doti said .
“ Which means the model calls for a Biden win by 10 % , a pretty significant victory.
” Doti noted that the model results varied from actual results to a greater degree in recent years , a sign perhaps that voters might be less concerned about the economy or that society is more polarized .
• Louisville , Ky. , with 600,000 people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might discount this and say , this is COVID .
Voters are not going to blame Trump for the weak economy this year , ” Doti said .
“ They will chalk it up to COVID , an act of God , if you will , not the president.
” But there have been other incumbents , such as President George H.W .
Bush , who had recessions they didn ’ t cause on their watch , and voters still blamed them for it , Doti said .
And polls show voters ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ management declined 17 percentage points from January until the most recent polls .
“ So it appears voters are blaming Trump , at least to some extent .
That ’ s what the equation is saying , ” Doti said .
“ Even with COVID , this would be a pretty big deficit to overcome .
”

A forecasting model based on the economy predicts Vice President Joe Biden will win the popular vote by a 10% margin during the presidential contest in November.
The model was developed at Chapman University in Orange by Economist and past Chapman President Jim Doti with help from students in his econometrics class.
Doti said there’s no guarantee the model will be accurate this time because voters may not tie President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy to this year’s pandemic-caused recession.
But the model has been accurate in calling the outcome of 15 of the past 16 U.S. presidential elections, dating back to the Dwight Eisenhower-Adlai Stevenson face-off in 1956.
The only miss was in 1960 when the equation called for then-Vice President Richard Nixon to beat John F. Kennedy by a tiny margin. The actual outcome — a JFK win by a tiny margin — varied from the model’s forecast by just a small amount.
The model uses economic variables such as real gross domestic product, inflation and job growth to see how an incumbent will fare in the popular vote. A comparison shows results from the forecast model are almost identical to actual popular vote outcomes.
“Not only is it accurate, it gets the … extent of the wins on the incumbent party side and the losses as well,” Doti said Tuesday, June 23, during the online presentation of the latest Chapman economic forecast.
Doti noted this year’s devastating second-quarter data aren’t favorable to Trump. The annualized GDP is projected to suffer an unprecedented 35% plunge, and the unemployment rate is projected to hit 19.7%, according to Chapman’s numbers.
“It turns out the equation calls for a minus 10% loss in the popular vote for the incumbent party,” Doti said. “Which means the model calls for a Biden win by 10%, a pretty significant victory.”
Doti noted that the model results varied from actual results to a greater degree in recent years, a sign perhaps that voters might be less concerned about the economy or that society is more polarized.
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Judge Chutkan: Trump’s right to free speech ‘not absolute’ Politics | A conservative case for disqualifying Donald Trump in 2024 “You might discount this and say, this is COVID. Voters are not going to blame Trump for the weak economy this year,” Doti said. “They will chalk it up to COVID, an act of God, if you will, not the president.”
But there have been other incumbents, such as President George H.W. Bush, who had recessions they didn’t cause on their watch, and voters still blamed them for it, Doti said. And polls show voters’ approval rating of Trump’s economic management declined 17 percentage points from January until the most recent polls.
“So it appears voters are blaming Trump, at least to some extent. That’s what the equation is saying,” Doti said. “Even with COVID, this would be a pretty big deficit to overcome.”


mercurynews--2020-06-24--They raided his office. Then years passed. Now FBI has LA councilman in custody.

Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar , accused by federal prosecutors of acting as the ringleader of a “ criminal enterprise ” to solicit and receive bribes in exchange for favorable city decisions on real estate projects , was arrested Tuesday at his Boyle Heights home , amid an ongoing FBI probe into “ pay-to-play ” corruption at City Hall .
The arrest comes nearly two years after the FBI raided the office and home of the councilman , who represents downtown Los Angeles and Eastside neighborhoods .
During the 2018 search , FBI officials said Tuesday , investigators discovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closet at Huizar ’ s home .
Huizar , 51 , was expected to be released from custody on $ 100,000 bond Tuesday afternoon , after making an initial court appearance by video conference from a downtown lockup , in connection with a charge of one count of conspiring to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations ( RICO ) Act .
The charge has a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in federal prison .
He was not asked to enter a plea to the charge in the complaint , and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with an arraignment on July 20 .
This is the first time an elected official has been charged in a RICO case within the city of Los Angeles , Voviette Morgan , FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Criminal Division for Los Angeles , said in a news conference Tuesday morning .
Huizar declined comment through his attorneys , who said he intended to respond to allegations through the court proceedings .
Federal prosecutors accuse Huizar of leading a scheme lasting over several years to use his role as chair on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to solicit and accept bribes and other benefits from developers and others seeking approvals on projects .
On Tuesday , FBI agents who had given their investigation the name Operation Casino Royale , said they began the probe in 2015 after receiving information that Huizar was seen cashing out a large amount of casino chips in Las Vegas .
The chips were among the alleged financial benefits Huizar reaped over the years that also funded the settlement of a sexual harassment case , luxury hotel rooms , spa treatments , fine dining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agents said .
Federal prosecutors allege Huizar agreed to take at least $ 1.5 million in financial benefits .
The arrest was made as part of a corruption investigation launched into an alleged bribery scheme involving real estate development projects , that federal authorities said was ongoing Tuesday , despite Huizar ’ s arrest .
“ We intend to bring to justice everyone who is involved in the criminal activity , ” said U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna .
Morgan said they are urging people to come forward with tips , and that an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pctips-losangeles @ fbi.gov that will be checked frequently .
“ Our goal is to return power and access to the people , to end the practice of buying off politicians and to restore honest services to the city , ” she said .
The allegations details a scheme that has been “ long-standing ” and that “ encompasses many different projects and involves a number of different individuals , ” according to Hanna .
Despite many people linked to the alleged criminal scheme , “ nobody picked up the phone and called the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the years , Huizar was able to capitalize on the power of his public office to operate the scheme , investigators said .
Agents believe the scheme was initiated by Huizar in 2013 , together with a Chinese billionaire who owns a hotel in the councilman ’ s district and who operates a multinational development firm , said Hanna .
Huizar oversaw a council district where “ much of the development in recent years was centered , ” and he chaired the Planning and Land Use Management Committee , “ where he decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The projects that prosecutors allege became part of “ pay-to-play ” strategies was a 77-story skyscraper that was billed as “ the largest building west of the Mississippi , ” and a large mixed-use project .
In return for favorable actions taken on real estate projects , prosecutors allege Huizar was able to received cash — some that had been stuffed into a brown paper bag — from developers and others seeking favors .
The illicit fund , investigators said , also paid for “ dozens of trips ” to Las Vegas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff trip to Australia and a family trip to China .
In at least one instance , some of the money that was set to go to Huizar was pocketed instead by other members of the enterprise including a former aide to the councilman , Hanna said .
Hanna said the investigation “ pulled back the curtain on rampant corruption at City Hall.
” The federal corruption probe has so far led to charges against four other people : • George Esparza , a former special assistant to Huizar , who agreed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related to taking part in a “ criminal enterprise ” in which he received bribe proceeds and other benefits .
• Justin Kim , a political fundraiser who was accused of collecting $ 500,000 aimed at getting Huizar to defeat a labor union ’ s appeal against a project .
He pleaded guilty this month to federal bribery charges .
• George Chiang , a real estate consultant , who is set to plead guilty later this week to racketeering charges .
• Former City Councilman Mitch Englander , who represented the northwest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Planning and Land Use Management Committee .
He has agreed to plead guilty to a charge of covering up the receipt of financial benefits .
Huizar , who had been stripped of his position as chair on the planning committee , has faced growing calls from colleagues to resign in recent months as charges built up against other alleged participants in the scheme .
Council President Nury Martinez had earlier called on Huizar to suspend participation in council meetings , after felony charges were filed against an ex-aide to the councilman .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin the process to remove Huizar from his City Council office , saying the allegations were “ horrendous and disgusting , and say the announcement of the arrest was “ not unexpected.
” Some members of the council had called for Huizar ’ s immediate resignation and called for him to be replaced by Kevin de Leon , who was elected in March to fill the 14th council district seat .
Huizar is termed out , and the new term begins in December .
In November 2018 , federal agents served search warrants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field offices , along with his home , as part of the investigation .
The bribery scheme involving Kim began in 2016 when a labor group filed an appeal claiming a developer ’ s proposed residential high-rise project violated the California Environmental Quality Act .
The developer contacted Kim in hopes of gaining Huizar ’ s support , court papers indicate .
According to the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office , the unnamed council member and developer negotiated a $ 500,000 payment , and in early 2017 , the developer gave Kim $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deliver to the council member .
Kim kept some cash for himself for acting as a go-between , then delivered the money to a staff member to pass along to Huizar , court papers indicate .
Prosecutors allege the developer later paid the other $ 100,000 when the appeal was resolved , but Kim kept the money for himself .
Prosecutors also contend in the papers the developer — with Esparza ’ s knowledge — secured $ 600,000 in collateral so the council member could obtain a $ 570,000 bank loan to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the elected official in 2013 by a former employee .
Huizar was sued in 2013 for alleged sexual harassment by former aide Francine Godoy .
The married Huizar later claimed the two had a consensual affair .
The lawsuit was settled in 2014 , but the terms were never disclosed .
A date has not yet been set for Esparza to enter his guilty plea .
Chiang is expected to plead guilty on Friday , and Englander ’ s plea will be taken on July 7 in downtown Los Angeles .

Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar, accused by federal prosecutors of acting as the ringleader of a “criminal enterprise” to solicit and receive bribes in exchange for favorable city decisions on real estate projects, was arrested Tuesday at his Boyle Heights home, amid an ongoing FBI probe into “pay-to-play” corruption at City Hall.
The arrest comes nearly two years after the FBI raided the office and home of the councilman, who represents downtown Los Angeles and Eastside neighborhoods.
During the 2018 search, FBI officials said Tuesday, investigators discovered $129,000 in cash stashed in a closet at Huizar’s home.
Huizar, 51, was expected to be released from custody on $100,000 bond Tuesday afternoon, after making an initial court appearance by video conference from a downtown lockup, in connection with a charge of one count of conspiring to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. The charge has a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
He was not asked to enter a plea to the charge in the complaint, and is set for a July 14 preliminary hearing, with an arraignment on July 20.
This is the first time an elected official has been charged in a RICO case within the city of Los Angeles, Voviette Morgan, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Criminal Division for Los Angeles, said in a news conference Tuesday morning.
Huizar declined comment through his attorneys, who said he intended to respond to allegations through the court proceedings.
Federal prosecutors accuse Huizar of leading a scheme lasting over several years to use his role as chair on the council’s powerful planning committee, to solicit and accept bribes and other benefits from developers and others seeking approvals on projects.
On Tuesday, FBI agents who had given their investigation the name Operation Casino Royale, said they began the probe in 2015 after receiving information that Huizar was seen cashing out a large amount of casino chips in Las Vegas.
The chips were among the alleged financial benefits Huizar reaped over the years that also funded the settlement of a sexual harassment case, luxury hotel rooms, spa treatments, fine dining, charter flights and campaign-related contributions, agents said.
Federal prosecutors allege Huizar agreed to take at least $1.5 million in financial benefits.
The arrest was made as part of a corruption investigation launched into an alleged bribery scheme involving real estate development projects, that federal authorities said was ongoing Tuesday, despite Huizar’s arrest.
“We intend to bring to justice everyone who is involved in the criminal activity,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna.
Morgan said they are urging people to come forward with tips, and that an email hotline has been set up at pctips-losangeles@fbi.gov that will be checked frequently.
“Our goal is to return power and access to the people, to end the practice of buying off politicians and to restore honest services to the city,” she said.
The allegations details a scheme that has been “long-standing” and that “encompasses many different projects and involves a number of different individuals,” according to Hanna.
Despite many people linked to the alleged criminal scheme, “nobody picked up the phone and called the FBI,” Hanna said.
Over the years, Huizar was able to capitalize on the power of his public office to operate the scheme, investigators said.
Agents believe the scheme was initiated by Huizar in 2013, together with a Chinese billionaire who owns a hotel in the councilman’s district and who operates a multinational development firm, said Hanna.
Huizar oversaw a council district where “much of the development in recent years was centered,” and he chaired the Planning and Land Use Management Committee, “where he decided which projects lived and which projects died.”
The projects that prosecutors allege became part of “pay-to-play” strategies was a 77-story skyscraper that was billed as “the largest building west of the Mississippi,” and a large mixed-use project.
In return for favorable actions taken on real estate projects, prosecutors allege Huizar was able to received cash — some that had been stuffed into a brown paper bag — from developers and others seeking favors.
The illicit fund, investigators said, also paid for “dozens of trips” to Las Vegas for Huizar, as well as a staff trip to Australia and a family trip to China.
In at least one instance, some of the money that was set to go to Huizar was pocketed instead by other members of the enterprise including a former aide to the councilman, Hanna said.
Hanna said the investigation “pulled back the curtain on rampant corruption at City Hall.”
The federal corruption probe has so far led to charges against four other people:
George Esparza, a former special assistant to Huizar, who agreed to plead guilty to a RICO charge, related to taking part in a “criminal enterprise” in which he received bribe proceeds and other benefits.
Justin Kim, a political fundraiser who was accused of collecting $500,000 aimed at getting Huizar to defeat a labor union’s appeal against a project. He pleaded guilty this month to federal bribery charges.
George Chiang, a real estate consultant, who is set to plead guilty later this week to racketeering charges.
Former City Councilman Mitch Englander, who represented the northwest San Fernando Valley and also served on the Planning and Land Use Management Committee. He has agreed to plead guilty to a charge of covering up the receipt of financial benefits.
Huizar, who had been stripped of his position as chair on the planning committee, has faced growing calls from colleagues to resign in recent months as charges built up against other alleged participants in the scheme.
Council President Nury Martinez had earlier called on Huizar to suspend participation in council meetings, after felony charges were filed against an ex-aide to the councilman.
On Tuesday, she said she would begin the process to remove Huizar from his City Council office, saying the allegations were “horrendous and disgusting, and say the announcement of the arrest was “not unexpected.”
The council voted 14-0 Tuesday to suspend Huizar.
Some members of the council had called for Huizar’s immediate resignation and called for him to be replaced by Kevin de Leon, who was elected in March to fill the 14th council district seat. Huizar is termed out, and the new term begins in December.
In November 2018, federal agents served search warrants at Huizar’s City Hall and field offices, along with his home, as part of the investigation.
The bribery scheme involving Kim began in 2016 when a labor group filed an appeal claiming a developer’s proposed residential high-rise project violated the California Environmental Quality Act. The developer contacted Kim in hopes of gaining Huizar’s support, court papers indicate.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the unnamed council member and developer negotiated a $500,000 payment, and in early 2017, the developer gave Kim $400,000 in cash inside a paper bag to deliver to the council member. Kim kept some cash for himself for acting as a go-between, then delivered the money to a staff member to pass along to Huizar, court papers indicate.
Prosecutors allege the developer later paid the other $100,000 when the appeal was resolved, but Kim kept the money for himself.
Prosecutors also contend in the papers the developer — with Esparza’s knowledge — secured $600,000 in collateral so the council member could obtain a $570,000 bank loan to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against the elected official in 2013 by a former employee. Huizar was sued in 2013 for alleged sexual harassment by former aide Francine Godoy. The married Huizar later claimed the two had a consensual affair. The lawsuit was settled in 2014, but the terms were never disclosed.
A date has not yet been set for Esparza to enter his guilty plea. Chiang is expected to plead guilty on Friday, and Englander’s plea will be taken on July 7 in downtown Los Angeles.
City News Service contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-06-25--Letter: Let’s respect each other, not fall to mob mentality

Hoards are saying , defund the police or shut down completely the police department .
Mob mentality has taken over much of our nation and cities .
Rioting , pillaging , theft , violence and insurmountable damage .
Trying to erase history by destroying everything in sight , including the statue of Abraham Lincoln , is deplorable .
Why should anyone obey any law anymore ?
Apparently many people , no matter the color of their skin , feel they can do anything they want , no consequences .
• Letter : Editorial was right about Becerra , police on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not approve of what is going on now .
He saw the problem and worked peacefully to stop racism .
My belief is that all lives matter , including the unborn .
Let ’ s start over with common sense , intelligence and respect for people of any color skin , nationality , religion or gender .
We are born with the color of our skin .
This is not a matter of choice .
Humans we are .
A people we are .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form @ @ @ @ @ @

Hoards are saying, defund the police or shut down completely the police department.
Mob mentality has taken over much of our nation and cities. Rioting, pillaging, theft, violence and insurmountable damage. Trying to erase history by destroying everything in sight, including the statue of Abraham Lincoln, is deplorable.
Why should anyone obey any law anymore? Apparently many people, no matter the color of their skin, feel they can do anything they want, no consequences. Related Articles Letters to the Editor | Letters: Escape Bay Area | CASA program | Feinstein replacement | Faulty comparison | Not conservatives
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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would not approve of what is going on now. He saw the problem and worked peacefully to stop racism. My belief is that all lives matter, including the unborn. Let’s start over with common sense, intelligence and respect for people of any color skin, nationality, religion or gender. We are born with the color of our skin. This is not a matter of choice. Humans we are. A people we are.
Joyce Dolan
Livermore
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
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mercurynews--2020-06-25--Rep. Nunes can’t sue Twitter account pretending to be a cow

California Republican Rep. Devin Nunes can not sue Twitter over allegedly defamatory remarks made about him by satirical accounts pretending to be his mother and a cow , a Virginia judge ruled Wednesday .
Twitter is immune to Nunes ’ claims of defamation and negligence , the judge said , because the company is protected by a critical law at the heart of a roiling policy debate in Washington : Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act .
The court decision offers the most recent example of how the 1996 law has shielded tech companies from litigation .
And the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critics , a group that includes President Donald Trump and other Republicans who have made unfounded claims that social media platforms have a systemic bias against conservative viewpoints .
Nunes sued Twitter , the two satirical accounts and a third Twitter user in March 2019 , demanding $ 250 million in damages and that the anonymous accounts be unmasked .
Among the accounts Nunes targeted in his complaint were @ DevinNunesMom and @ DevinNunesCow .
The complaint included screenshots and quotes of tweets that Nunes claimed were evidence of a defamatory conspiracy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Nunes and Twitter , Judge John Marshall said the issues in Nunes ’ lawsuit were “ substantially similar ” to previous cases in which platforms were absolved of liability under Section 230 .
“ Plaintiff seeks to have the court treat Twitter as the publisher or speaker of the content provided by others based on its allowing or not allowing certain content to be on its internet platform , ” Marshall wrote in the decision , a copy of which was reviewed by CNN .
“ The court refuses to do so.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it strongly believed the court had reached the right decision .
“ Twitter enforces the Twitter Rules impartially for everyone who uses our service around the world , regardless of their background or political affiliation , ” said spokesperson Katie Rosborough .
“ We are constantly improving our efforts to serve the public conversation and will continue to be transparent with the public.
” A spokesman in Nunes ’ congressional office didn ’ t immediately respond to a request for comment .
• Twitter would really like you to read stories before you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Valley returns with a vengeance But earlier on Wednesday , Nunes tweeted a link to an alternative social media platform .
“ Parler is open for business !
” he tweeted .
Among the first replies to his tweet was a tweet from @ DevinNunesCow .
“ I have some good moooos for you , ” @ DevinNunesCow wrote .
“ Oh , wait , it ’ s good for me and not for you .
”

By Brian Fung | CNN
California Republican Rep. Devin Nunes cannot sue Twitter over allegedly defamatory remarks made about him by satirical accounts pretending to be his mother and a cow, a Virginia judge ruled Wednesday.
Twitter is immune to Nunes’ claims of defamation and negligence, the judge said, because the company is protected by a critical law at the heart of a roiling policy debate in Washington: Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
The court decision offers the most recent example of how the 1996 law has shielded tech companies from litigation. And the ruling could inflame the law’s critics, a group that includes President Donald Trump and other Republicans who have made unfounded claims that social media platforms have a systemic bias against conservative viewpoints.
Nunes sued Twitter, the two satirical accounts and a third Twitter user in March 2019, demanding $250 million in damages and that the anonymous accounts be unmasked.
Among the accounts Nunes targeted in his complaint were @DevinNunesMom and @DevinNunesCow. The complaint included screenshots and quotes of tweets that Nunes claimed were evidence of a defamatory conspiracy.
But in a letter Wednesday to lawyers for Nunes and Twitter, Judge John Marshall said the issues in Nunes’ lawsuit were “substantially similar” to previous cases in which platforms were absolved of liability under Section 230.
“Plaintiff seeks to have the court treat Twitter as the publisher or speaker of the content provided by others based on its allowing or not allowing certain content to be on its internet platform,” Marshall wrote in the decision, a copy of which was reviewed by CNN. “The court refuses to do so.”
In a statement, Twitter said it strongly believed the court had reached the right decision.
“Twitter enforces the Twitter Rules impartially for everyone who uses our service around the world, regardless of their background or political affiliation,” said spokesperson Katie Rosborough. “We are constantly improving our efforts to serve the public conversation and will continue to be transparent with the public.”
A spokesman in Nunes’ congressional office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
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“Parler is open for business!” he tweeted.
Among the first replies to his tweet was a tweet from @DevinNunesCow.
“I have some good moooos for you,” @DevinNunesCow wrote. “Oh, wait, it’s good for me and not for you.”