HomeMy WebLinkAboutPolice Advisory & Accountability Committee 2025-06-18 Agenda PacketPOLICE ADVISORY AND ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY JUNE 18, 2025, AT 6:00 PM
In-Person:
San Rafael City Council Chambers
1400 Fifth Ave, San Rafael, California
Virtual:
Watch Online: https://tinyurl.com/PAAC2025
Listen by Phone: (669) 444-9171
Meeting ID: 861 8590 4369
AGENDA
How to participate in the meeting:
• You are welcome to provide comments in person at the meeting. Each speaker will have
2 minutes to provide public comments.
• Submit your comments by email to PAAC@cityofsanrafael.org by 4:00 p.m. the day of
the meeting.
CALL TO ORDER–6:00 PM MINUTES
1. Approve regular meeting minutes from the May 21, 2025, meeting.
OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC EXPRESSION
The public is welcome to address the Police Advisory and Accountability Committee at this
time on matters not on the agenda that are within it s jurisdiction. Comments may be no longer
than 2 minutes and should be respectful to the community.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS
If necessary to ensure the completion of the following items, the Chairperson may establish
time limits for the presentations by individual speakers.
2. Other Agenda Items:
a. Human Trafficking, Sergeant Chris Duncan, SRPD.
Recommendation: Receive the informational report.
STAFF LIAISON REPORT
3. Other brief program updates or reports on any meetings, conferences,
and/or seminars attended by staff.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
4. Other brief reports on any meetings, conferences, and/or seminars attended by the
Committee members.
ADJOURNMENT
Any records relating to an agenda item, received by a majority or more of the Board less than 72 hours before the meeting, shall be
available for inspection online and in the city hall large conference room, third floor, 1400 5th Avenue, San Rafael, Califor nia placed
with other agenda-related materials on the table in front of the location prior to the meeting. Sign Language interpreters may be
requested by calling (415) 485-3066 (voice), emailing city.clerk@cityofsanrafael.org or using the California Telecommunications Relay
Service by dialing “711”, at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Copies of documents are available in accessible formats upon
request
POLICE ADVISORY AND ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE (PAAC)
WEDNESDAY MAY 21, 2025, AT 6:00 PM
In-Person:
San Rafael City Council Chambers
1400 Fifth Ave, San Rafael, California
Virtual:
Watch Online:
https://tinyurl.com/PAAC2025
Listen by Phone: (669) 444-9171
Meeting ID: 898-5264-7245#
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Tokolahi called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM and requested a roll call.
ROLL CALL
Present: Member Daniel Alm
Member Marilyn Alvarez
Member Paula Kamena
Member Mydung Nguyen
Member Darlin Ruiz
Chair Fatai Tokolahi
Alternate Member Salamah Locks (arrived at 6:08 p.m.)
Alternate Member Karla Valdez
Absent: Vice Chair Daryoush Davidi
Alternate Member Valdez voted in Vice Chair Davidi’s.
Staff Present: Angela Robinson Piñon, Assistant City Manager
David Spiller, Police Chief, San Rafael Police Department
Scott Eberle, Lieutenant, San Rafael Police Department
Teresa Komoda, Sr. Mgmt. Analyst, San Rafael Police Department
Lieutenant Scott Eberle informed the community that the in -person
meeting would also be recorded and streamed live to YouTube and
through Zoom. He noted the two-minute timer for public comment and
closed captioning on Zoom.
1. MINUTES
Chair Tokolahi invited public comment, however, there was none.
Member Alm moved to approve the April 16, 2025 minutes. Member Valdez
seconded the motion.
AYES: MEMBERS: Alm, Alvarez, Kamena, Nguyen Ruiz, Tokolahi, Valdez
NOES: MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: MEMBERS: Davidi
The motion carried 7-0-1.
OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC EXPRESSION
George Bigelow spoke on an article discussing 21 st Century Policing, community values and
camping ordinances.
Stephen Bingham spoke on San Francisco Police Department’s policy on pretextual stops.
Heidi spoke on the Drone First Responder (DFR) program.
Victoria Dewitt spoke on a traffic redesign project on 2nd and 4th Street.
2. OTHER AGENDA ITEMS
a. RESPONSE TO RIPA
The Committee asked questions.
Chair Tokolahi opened the item for public comment.
Speakers: George Bigelow, Stephen Bingham, Sara McEvoy, Ed Rusky, Heidi, Jason,
The Committee provided comments.
Member Kamena moved to recommend SRPD adopt a Bias by Proxy policy. Member
Alm seconded the motion.
AYES: MEMBERS: Alm, Alvarez, Kamena, Nguyen, Ruiz, Tokolahi, Valdez
NOES: MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: MEMBERS: Davidi
The motion carried 7-0-1.
Member Alvarez moved to recommend SRPD adopt MVFREE recommendation #2-
“Adopt a one-year pilot program eliminating pre-text stops. Member Ruiz seconded
the motion.”
AYES: MEMBERS: Alm, Alvarez, Nguyen, Ruiz, Tokolahi, Valdez
NOES: MEMBERS: Kamena
ABSENT: MEMBERS: Davidi
The motion carried 6-1-1.
Member Alm moved to recommend SRPD adopt MVFREE recommendation #3- “Use
a performance metric to monitor the progress on recommended RIPA strategies.”
Member Kamena seconded the motion.
AYES: MEMBERS: Alm, Alvarez, Kamena, Nguyen, Ruiz, Tokolahi, Valdez
NOES: MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: MEMBERS: Davidi
The motion carried 7-0-1.
Member Alm moved to recommend SRPD adopt MVFREE recommendation #4 -
“Establish an annual RIPA equity assessment.” Member Kamena seconded the
motion.
AYES: MEMBERS: Alm, Alvarez, Kamena, Nguyen, Ruiz, Tokolahi, Valdez
NOES: MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: MEMBERS: Davidi
The motion carried 7-0-1.
b. HOMELESSNESS UPDATE
The Committee asked questions.
Chair Tokolahi opened the item for public comment.
Speakers: Jason, Stephen Bingham, Heidi, Sara McEvoy
The Committee provided comments.
STAFF LIAISON REPORT
• None
COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Member Alvarez participated in a ride-along with SRPD, attended a listening
session with the Marin County Youth Commission along with member Alm,
attended a presentation on Human Trafficking at Dominican University, and
volunteered at the Canal Community Fair.
• Member Alm participated in a ride-along with SRPD and thanked Officer Ortiz. He
shared that he and member Alvarez engaged in a listening session and round
table discussion with the Marin County Youth Commission.
• Member Kamena attended the 25th anniversary of the Jeanette Prandi Children’s Center.
• Member Locks shared an article about pending legislation published by the ACLU. She
also shared that she attended a presentation on Human Trafficking.
• Member Ruiz shared she completed the ten-week Community Academy with the
SRPD, attended a presentation on Human Trafficking, and attended the Canal
Community Fair.
• Member Tokolahi participated in a ride-along with SRPD, met with the Mayor, City
Manager, Chief Spiller, and Vice-Chair Davidi regarding the PAAC.
• Member Valdez attended the Canal Community Fair where she distributed the
Immigration FAQ fliers, attended a presentation on Housing, and participated in
a ride-along with SRPD.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Tokolahi adjourned the meeting at 8:24 PM
Teresa Komoda
Teresa Komoda, Staff
Liaison
APPROVED THIS _____DAY OF_______,
2025
Page 1 of 4
POLICE ADVISORY AND
ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE
AGENDA REPORT
June 18, 2025
Item 2a
TITLE: HUMAN TRAFFICKING
RECOMMENDATION: Accept the informational report.
BACKGROUND:
At the January 11, 2025, Special Meeting, the PAAC identified their workplan for 2025. One of
the priority subjects identified was human trafficking. Staff is now presenting this topic for review
and discussion.
This staff report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of human
trafficking, highlighting key trends, challenges, and the efforts being undertaken at the local and
national levels. It also outlines the roles and responsibilitie s of SRPD in identifying, preventing,
and responding to trafficking cases, with a focus on interagency collaboration, victim support, and
policy development.
The goal of this report is to provide the PAAC with the knowledge and tools necessary to
contribute meaningfully to anti -trafficking initiatives, ensure compliance with relevant laws and
protocols, and foster a culture of vigilance, compassion, and account ability.
DISCUSSION:
Human trafficking is a serious and growing concern that affects communities across the nation,
including our own. Defined as the exploitation of individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for
purposes such as forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking undermines public
safety, threatens vulnerable populations, and challenges the integrity of local institutions.
According to a UNICEF study, human trafficking is the second most profitable illegal industry in
the United States. While illegal narcotics can be continually created and are highly profitable, the
product is sold and then consumed. Human trafficking victims can be used repeat edly, making it
an incredibly lucrative and heinous crime. Despite growing awareness, human trafficking
continues to thrive in both visible and hidden forms across communities of all sizes.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the North Bay region and San Francisco
are among the top sex trafficking areas in the United States. California consistently reports the
highest number of human trafficking cases in the United States, with significant activity in both
sex and labor trafficking. The National Human Trafficking Hotline has received over 50,000
signals from California since its inception, indicating the state's prominence in trafficking cases.
Sex trafficking remains the predominant form of human trafficking in California. In 2021, 89% of
reported human trafficking cases in the state involved sex trafficking, an increase from 87% in
2015. Labor trafficking also poses a significant concern in Cal ifornia. California has implemented
various measures to combat human trafficking, including enacting its first anti -trafficking bill in
2005 (AB 22), which made trafficking a felony and assisted victims. However, challenges persist,
and continued efforts are necessary to address and prevent human trafficking effectively. More
current legislation, such as SB 357, decriminalized loitering with the intent to prostitute.
Page 2 of 4
In 2022, California passed Senate Bill 357 (SB 357), which repealed Penal Code §653.22.
Previously, this law allowed for the arrest of individuals suspected of loitering for the purpose of
engaging in a prostitution offense. The repeal was motivated by concerns about disproportionate
enforcement against marginalized groups, including transgender women and communities of
color.
Impacts of the repeal of the Penal Code limits law enforcement’s ability to stop and question
individuals based solely on appearance or perceived behavior. Proponents of the legislation
argued that it aims to reduce profiling and civil rights violations . Conversely, it requires a shift in
policing strategies away from loitering-based arrests toward intelligence -led investigations
focused on traffickers and exploiters.
As a result of SB 357 and related reforms , investigating human trafficking and prostitution has
become significantly more difficult. The actual acts associated with human trafficking almost
always take place behind closed doors—in private spaces where law enforcement cannot legally
enter without a warrant or specific cause. Previously, the law prohibiting loitering for the purpose
of prostitution provided officers with a legal means to identify and intervene in precursor activity
occurring in public spaces. With the repeal of that law, law enforcement has lost a critical tool for
proactively detecting and disrupting human trafficking operations before victims are moved into
private, inaccessible locations. As a result, the ability to identify, investigate, a nd rescue victims
has become much more complex and limited. Additional challenges include identifying and
rescuing victims who may not self-identify or be willing to engage with law enforcement.
Prostitution and human trafficking are most prevalent in the Canal area of San Rafael, a
neighborhood historically associated with such activity due to its dense population and
concentration of hotels. While street-level prostitution has long been visible in the area, the rise
of technology has shifted much of this activity online. Victims of human trafficking are now often
advertised on underground websites, allowing traffickers and buyers to arrange meetings in
private settings such as hotel rooms, vehicl es, or residences—further complicating detection and
enforcement efforts. This evolution underscores the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces
in addressing these crimes, particularly when they occur out of public view. Because of the
underground and covert nature of these crimes, obtaining accurate statistics is challenging;
however, it is estimated that prostitution and human trafficking occur in the area on a weekly —if
not daily—basis.
Human trafficking is inherently difficult to detect and is often underreported. Victims may be
moved frequently from one county or state to another, making it difficult for law enforcement to
track traffickers or establish jurisdiction. This constant reloc ation contributes to a victim’s sense
of isolation, fear, and disorientation, particularly when they are unfamiliar with their surroundings
or lack access to trusted support systems. As a result, many victims are unable or unwilling to
seek help, which further complicates efforts to identify and assist them.
Law enforcement agencies are adapting by increasing their training on trauma -informed
approaches and building stronger partnerships with other law enforcement entities and social
service providers. An example of such is the Marin County Coalition to End Human Trafficking
(MCCEHT). The MCCEHT is a public/private partnership of non-profit organizations, law
enforcement, civic groups, county agencies, and members of the public whose aim is to develop
a regional and collaborative approach to end all forms of human trafficking. Victims of human
trafficking may be women, men, or children and can come from any racial, socio -economic, or
national background, including both U.S. citizens and individuals residing in or arriving from other
countries.
Page 3 of 4
As the co-chair organization of the MCCEHT, the Marin County District Attorney’s Office is
addressing the problem and working with partnering non -profits and agencies to increase public
awareness, prosecute those who commit crimes, and put a halt to all types of slavery.
There are many local and national organizations that specialize in victim services, education, and
prevention efforts. In San Rafael, the San Rafael Police Department (SRPD) partners with
Community Violence Solutions and the Center for Domestic Peace. Once a referral is made, these
organizations provide victims with confidential support as they begin the process of rebuilding
their lives. Services may include counseling, job placement assistance, educational support, and
help securing stable housing.
A comprehensive and effective response to human trafficking requires strong, coordinated efforts
across regional, state, and federal jurisdictions. Trafficking networks often operate across the city,
county, and state lines, making it essential for agencies to collaborate and to share intelligence,
align enforcement strategies, and ensure continuity of victim services.
One of the most impactful examples of national coordination is Operation Cross Country (OCC)—
an annual, nationwide anti-trafficking initiative spearheaded by the FBI in collaboration with the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and a wide network of local and
state law enforcement partners. OCC is specifically designed to identify and recover child victims
of sex trafficking and dismantle the criminal networks responsible for their exploitation.
These operations are conducted in high -risk urban areas with known trafficking activity and
typically involve:
• Undercover investigations
• Surveillance and intelligence-gathering
• Victim rescue and recovery operations
• Arrests of traffickers and facilitators
OCC has proven highly effective in identifying at -risk youth, uncovering complex trafficking
operations, and connecting survivors with immediate support services. In recent cycles, the
operation has led to the recovery of dozens of juvenile victims and the arrest of hundreds of
individuals involved in trafficking-related crimes.
The San Rafael Police Department has participated in Operation Cross Country for many years
by contributing personnel, intelligence, and logistical support. Participation in OCC enhances
interagency coordination, broadens the geographic scope of investigations, and helps ensure that
victims receive trauma-informed care and long-term support.
Human trafficking remains a complex and evolving public safety and human rights issue that
requires a coordinated, multi-disciplinary response. As enforcement tools and legal frameworks
shift—such as the repeal of loitering statutes—so must our strategies for identifying victims,
disrupting criminal networks, and supporting survivors. Effective prevention and intervention
depend on strong collaboration between law enforcement, social service providers, educators,
community organizations, and the criminal ju stice system.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Submitted by:
Christopher Duncan
Page 4 of 4
Police Sergeant, Investigations Unit
ATTACHMENT S:
1. Human Trafficking Presentation
Human Trafficking
Detective Sergeant Chris Duncan
San Rafael Police Department
Forms of Human Trafficking
▪Policy and research focus on two forms
of trafficking: labor and sex.
▪Understanding the extent of human
trafficking is challenging.
Victims of Trafficking
▪Anyone can be a victim of human trafficking;
however, typically those with vulnerabilities.
▪Many underage.
▪Social media used to lure victims.
Sex Trafficking
Sex traffickers use violence,
threats, lies, and a false sense of
love to force adults and children to
participate in commercial sex acts.
Victims have a trafficker, or “pimp,”
who arrange the “dates.” The pimp
will keep all or part of money that
is earned.
Victims of human trafficking -
not prostitutes.
The Sex Trafficker or “Pimp”
▪Romeo Pimp : Operate by making the
victim fall in love with him/her. Once
the victim is under their influence, the
trafficker will exploit the victim by
forcing him/her to engage in
prostitution.
▪Guerilla Pimp: Uses psychological
and physical abuse to influence
victims. Often force victims to use
drugs, then restrict drugs as a form of
punishment.
▪CEO Pimp : Approach sexual
exploitation and prostitution as a
business, the buying and selling of
human beings as a transaction and
their victims as property.
Modes of Solicitation
▪Online: Traffickers will
create an advertisement
online for the victim on
an escort website.
▪Street : Traffickers will
have victims walk the
“track” or “blade.” These
are streets in a city
where victims will walk
back and forth waiting for
solicitation.
▪Business : Massage
Parlors.
▪“Johns” or “Tricks” are
those who solicit victims
for sex.
How Officers Identify Victims
▪Seemingly walking without purpose or
direction in an area known for human
trafficking.
▪Avoiding eye contact until contacted
by law enforcement and then
becoming overly aggressive.
▪Clothing is inappropriate for the
weather or time of day.
▪No form of identification or money.
▪No shoes.
▪Being approached/approaching
different men.
▪Unexplainable visible injuries.
▪“Branding” tattoos.
How Officers Identify Traffickers
▪Luxury or high value vehicle circling an
area known for human trafficking.
▪Picking up or dropping off someone
who appears to be a victim based on
location, time, clothing, victim’s
subsequent actions.
▪Possession of the victim’s identification,
clothes, or shoes.
▪Multiple cell phones.
▪Possess a lot of cash.
Human Trafficking in San Rafael
Why here?Who is
involved?
Where does
this occur?
When does this
occur?
What is the San
Rafael Police
Department
Doing?
Investigation&Prosecution Difficulties
▪SB 357- Repeal of Penal Code
653.22.
▪Consensual contacts vs. Detentions
▪Most victims refuse any kind of
services.
▪Many victims claim they are working
as a prostitute on their own volition.
▪Lack of victim cooperation in
criminal cases where trafficker was
arrested.
Labor Trafficking
▪Forced labor is a situation in which victims are
forced to work against their will, under threats
of violence and other forms of punishment.
▪Their freedom is restricted, and a degree of
ownership is exercised over them.
▪Domestic servitude such as nannies or maids,
agricultural work, and factory work.
▪Often victims are isolated where the employer
controls access to food, transportation, and
housing.
Red Flags
▪Unusual restrictions at work - including long and unusual
hours.
▪Fearful of law enforcement.
▪No form of identification.
▪Exhaustion.
▪Confusion- lost sense of time, lack of knowledge of
whereabouts.
▪Visible injuries.
▪Luggage in massage businesses.
▪Improper masseuse attire.
Victim Resources
Organizations and
agencies who ensure
the safety and healing
of abuse victims
through accessible,
comprehensive,
coordinated, and
culturally sensitive
services.
▪Law Enforcement
▪Community Violence Solutions
▪Sane Sart
▪Marin County Coalition to End
Human Trafficking
▪Child and Family Services
▪Center for Domestic Peace
▪Marin County District Attorney’s
Office Victim/Witness Assistance
▪National Center for Missing &
Exploited Children
▪National Human Trafficking Hotline
Questions?
