Foot Patrol Vote a Major Defeat for NewsomPaul Hogarthbyline‚ Nov. 15‚ 2006For the first time since Gavin Newsom became Mayor, the Board of Supervisors successfully voted to override a mayoral veto. By a 9-2 vote, the Board approved Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi’s legislation mandating the Police to have foot patrols in neighborhoods citywide. Despite Police Chief Heather Fong’s last-minute announcement that she will initiate a series of foot patrols before the end of the month, Supervisors stressed that the Police Department needed to be held accountable. In fact, more Supervisors voted this time around to override the veto than had originally supported the legislation – as Board President Aaron Peskin publicly switched his vote. This was a victory for community members who had demanded police foot patrols for years, a triumph for the Supervisors who have proven their political muscle and independence, and a stunning defeat for the Mayor – who was already the biggest loser in last week’s local elections. |