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San Leandro Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli
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SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCIL | The annual public review of the San Leandro Police Department next week may be less about the successes and future plans for the city’s law enforcement and more about a controversial arrest last year of two gay men arrested in a public bathroom for lewd behavior during a police sting in June 2012. The city and police department were accused of discrimination and outing the pair when their mug shots were distributed to the public. Last October, the city approved a legal settlement filed by the two men, costing the city a combined $45,000.
During a council meeting last month, San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy indicated he would broach the subject in-depth with Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli. Over the past few years, Cassidy has fashioned himself a defender of gay rights. He was the first mayor in city history to march at the annual Pride Parade in San Francisco and pushed for flying the rainbow pride banner over City Hall. However, Cassidy said during the meeting, the issue was not entirely about infringing on gay rights, but public safety.
“We need to speak on the record about what really happened,” Cassidy said. “If anything, [we need to] address sex in public restrooms.” Although the police department’s annual public review is normally a mundane presentation of crime stats and positive anecdotes devoid of much controversy, Monday night’s special work session may be more eventful. “We don’t normally do this, but this one hit a particular nerve,” noted Cassidy. A detailed discussion of a legal settlement in council chambers after the fact is certainly permissible, but highly unusual.
Councilmember Diana Souza, a strong supporter of public safety, and recently, a clear opponent of Cassidy, said the thorny subject doesn’t need further discussion. “We don’t want to attract any more attention than we already have,” said Souza. In fact, the issue has received very little attention. The only official public comment was a mere notification by the city attorney a settlement for the two complaints had been reached. Cassidy responded, if the council does not publicly air the specifics of the case, “How do you know this isn’t going to happen, again?”
ebcitizen.com 
Thank you 5:11 pm, So true and very well said. Yes, Cassidy is a control freak and doesn't respect WOMEN. The bully is going to be a one term Mayor.
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Here we go again, more grandstanding by Mayor Cassidy. I commend Councilmember Diana Souza for expressing her opinions and speaking out to Cassidy.
Mayor Cassidy, I don't care if the individuals involved are gay or straight, “lewd behavior” in a public bathroom is something I don't care to see. I have always thought having sex in a public bathroom was against the law. If it isn't, it should be. If one is feeling horny, rent a room!
Mayor Cassidy mentioned “public safety” for the record public safety includes children that use public bathrooms. I would not want my children to see this.
I believe the Mayor likes to try to control women by being rude and disrespectful. I personally saw him try this many times with former Superintendent Christine Lim. He is often very rude and condescending to Councilmember Diana Souza and now I believe he is doing the same to Chief Spagnoli. The Mayor needs to be reminded that women now have equal rights and smart women have powerful jobs. The days of keeping us home barefoot and pregnant are long gone. We women vote Mayor Cassidy and we will remember your rude and inappropriate treatment of women. STOP YOUR GRANDSTANDING.
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