San Bruno police looking into alleged harassment after council meeting

Police are looking into the incident and attempting to identify the individuals who allegedly verbally harassed the employee after the meeting, Police Chief Ryan Johansen said. The department is still investigating whether the incident rises to the level of being criminal in nature.

The department has maintained a police presence at the past two City Council meetings where a cease-fire resolution has been discussed. The Jan. 23 City Council meeting was marked by protesters in the audience turning their backs to the council for two hours, as well as a peaceful die-in where protesters laid on the ground with sheets over their heads.

Johansen said that while the alleged harassment will not change the number of measures the department is already taking to ensure safety, it could broaden the scope of protection to city staff as well as councilmembers, who had previously been the sole targets of ire due to the policy decision. Johansen said that the City Council environment has been creating fear for a number of staff members.

“The task of these meetings is always the same — provide an environment to protect the First Amendment rights of all people … it’s a delicate balance between that where, first of all, people are safe, and then where people feel safe,” Johansen said.

Councilmember Tom Hamilton, who originally initiated the motion to move forward with agendizing a cease-fire resolution, unequivocally condemned the alleged harassment.

“I don’t condone that behavior at all. It’s reprehensible and I hope the folks that conducted themselves this way were found and dealt with,” he said.

Mayor Rico Medina said that it was the city’s priority all meeting attendees and city staff feeling safe during council meetings.

“We need staff to be able to feel comfortable and confident to do their job, and we also need to be able to do the city’s business,” he said. “That is a priority, to make sure we do what we need to do for the city.”

The movement for cease-fire resolutions has been seen throughout the Bay Area, and resolutions were passed in Oakland, Richmond and San Francisco. A proposal for one to support a cease-fire and the release of all hostages and for humanitarian aid at the Dec. 18 Foster City Council meeting requested by Councilmember Sam Hindi did not receive support from any other councilmember. Redwood City Council meetings have seen speakers in support of such a resolution as well.