S.F. police union boss calls out chief: ‘Step up’
Mixing police and politics, San Francisco police union leader Tony Montoya is calling on Police Chief Bill Scott to “step up or step out” after District Attorney Chesa Bou
din’s decision to withdraw charges against a man accused to attacking officers in the
Mission. Montoya says the city’s top cop has been virtually invisible to the rank and file and shows them little support.
“My members are feeling more support from Eddie
Garcia in San Jose than from
their own chief,” Montoya said, referring to the San Jose police chief, who tweeted his support for “courageous men and women of the SFPD.”
At issue is Scott’s reaction to newly elected Boudin’s decision to hit the brakes on the prosecution of a man shot by police in the Mission after he allegedly attacked the officers with an empty vodka bottle.
Boudin said he was still investigating the Dec. 7 incident in which 24yearold Jamaica Hampton stands accused of attacking police officers responding to a call. Hampton remains hospitalized — one of his legs was amputated after being shot three times. Boudin can still file charges.
After Boudin’s announcement, Scott sent out a message to the troops that read in part, “The DA indicated that this withdrawal is not a dismissal of the case.”
“This unprovoked attack was a violent, criminal act,” Scott wrote. “I want you to know that we remain committed to working with the DA to see that justice is done in this case for our officers.”
In contrast, Garcia tweeted: “This is both shocking and despicable. I feel terrible for the courageous men and women of the SFPD.”
Mayor London Breed felt compelled to send her own letter to the rank and file on Monday: “I have no doubt that this decision has created a great deal of confusion, frustration and anger within the department . ... You deserve to know that when you do this work on behalf of the people of San Francisco, that any act of violence taken against you will be met with firm resolve.”
Montoya has a reaction to that: “We appreciate the mayor’s response, but the person at the helm is MIA,” Montoya said. “Where was he on the day of the shooting? He was being escorted around by his staff. He doesn’t talk with anyone.
“The feelings have been building for some time. This is kind of a tipping point,” Montoya said of his members’ sentiment toward the chief.
But Montoya’s jabs probably aren’t just about needling the chief — union politics could be at play here as well. Montoya is in a tight race to hold on to his job as Police Officers Association president.
Montoya’s rival in the race, Sgt. Rich Cibotti, declined to comment, saying, “At this point it is a union matter, and I would prefer to talk about it with the union members, not in the press.”
Montoya also admitted that his call for the U.S. attorney to intervene in the Hampton shooting case was largely a publicity grab and that he knew there was little chance the feds would take the case.
“The main goal was to bring attention to this and, obviously, it did,” Montoya said.
Scott stuck up for himself, saying in an email:
“I meet regularly with officers to hear their concerns and suggestions on how we can make our department even better and our city safer. During these difficult and uncertain times, our members have remained laserfocused on their mission to protect the public and provide safety with respect to everyone. The men and women of this department have my unyielding support and I believe they deserve the full support of the public that they serve.”
Watch out: Starting Wednesday, getting caught driving along Market Street’s new downtown “nocar” zone could wind up costing a driver north of $289.
First comes the $35 base fine for violating special traffic control markers — that’s for not paying attention to the “no drive” signs that have been posted along the route.
Then comes the $202 in additional state and county penalties that are added to traffic tickets in California, bringing the total ticket cost to $237.
If the defendant elects to attend traffic school to avoid getting a point against his or her license, there is an additional $52 fee, which would bring the total ticket cost $289.
A driver in the “red carpet” bus lane could be cited for driving in a transit lane, which carries a $25 base fine. Add on the $171 in additional penalties and assessments and the total comes to $196, but there’s no point against the driver’s license.
As for enforcement, the plan is to have two teams of motorcycle cops cruising Market eastbound from 10th Street to Main Street and westbound from Steuart Street to Van Ness Avenue during the morning and evening commutes.
“Also all officers in the Northern, Central and Tenderloin (police) districts that the route crosses through have been put on alert,” Cmdr. Daniel Perea said.
In addition, parking control officers from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency will also be on hand at 11 intersections.
“We are prepared to cite for violations,” MTA spokeswoman Erica Kato said.
“Someone could get a warning or a citation,” Perea said. “We are not trying to be punitive, but we cannot have people willfully disregarding the signs or the instructions of the parking control officers.”
San Francisco Chronicle columnist Phil Matier appears Sundays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KGOTV morning and evening news and can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call 4157778815, or email pmatier@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @philmatier