[Cagdu] FW: [Nfbsf] revised draft.

[Shannon L. Dillon]

Below see Eric Holm's message.  He is asking for CAGDU's support.  Please read this before the meeting Sunday so we can discuss it.
Thank you.
 
SHANNON L. DILLON


 
> From: mwillows at sbcglobal.net
> To: oberholzerr at msn.com
> CC: shannonldillon at hotmail.com
> Subject: Fw: [Nfbsf] revised draft.
> Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 17:53:37 -0700
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Eric Holm" <ericholm at att.net>
> To: <nfbsf at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 2010 11:52 AM
> Subject: [Nfbsf] revised draft.
> 
> 
> Greetings and thank you for your thoughts and support on this important 
> issue.
> Below is a revised DRAFT of my letter to Mayor Newsom, Please note this is 
> not for release.
> 
> I'd appreciate the ability to include CAGDU, NAGDU, NFBC, among others as 
> supporters to this opposition letter. Please let me know your thoughts.
> 
> Eric
> 
> DRAFT NOT FOR GENERAL RELEASE
> 
> 
> RE: Oppose - Elimination of Vicious and Dangerous Animals Unit
> 
> Dear Mayor Newsom:
> 
> I greatly appreciate our long standing friendship and our work together. I 
> recognize, and commend, your administration’s actions in leading the way on 
> many issues relating to the rights of people with disabilities. I am writing 
> today on behalf of a coalition of blind Californians and organizations that 
> provide travel training to the blind. Accordingly, we wish to bring to your 
> attention a risk to the public at large and the blind community 
> specifically.
> 
> The National Federation of the Blind of San Francisco writes in opposition 
> to the elimination of the Vicious and Dangerous Animals Unit (Unit) within 
> the San Francisco Police Department. Blind travelers who use guide dogs as 
> their means of mobility are reliant upon the freedom to travel safely 
> through their environment, without the interference of vicious and dangerous 
> dogs. A dog attack is a vital issue in our community. The emotional and 
> physical results of an attack are devastating, and can result in serious 
> injuries to handlers and/or the death of a guide dog or force the $60,000 
> guide dog into early retirement. Referring these crimes to animal care & 
> control sends the wrong message and improperly defers criminal enforcement 
> to an inappropriate agency. Interfering with the work of a guide dog team is 
> indeed a violation of state and federal law; and should be addressed by law 
> enforcement.
> 
> San Francisco has served as a model for other jurisdictions by having such a 
> unit in its organization. The officers in this unit have repeatedly gone 
> above and beyond the call of duty – partnering with Guide Dogs for the Blind 
> Inc. to create educational materials on the dangers of attacks on guide dogs 
> and have repeatedly made themselves available for public speaking 
> opportunities to educate people on the services and protections that the 
> Vicious and Dangerous Dog Unit provides all residents and visitors of San 
> Francisco. Information on this unit, and the protection it provides, has 
> traveled throughout the blind community, and doubtless plays a significant 
> role in the decisions of blind Californians to travel to San Francisco. 
> Other organizations also in opposition to the dissolution of the Unit 
> include: (_________)
> 
> We recognize the fiscal constraints facing the police department. However, 
> the elimination of this program compromises the safety of all guide dog 
> users that live, work, and visit San Francisco. As our nation celebrates the 
> 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, taking such a 
> significant step backwards in the protection of the blind is unacceptable. 
> We therefore respectfully call upon you to reverse the dangerous decision of 
> the Police Department’s abolishment of the Unit and reinstate its officers 
> accordingly.
> 
> I formally request a meeting with you and a small group of concerned 
> Californians to further discuss this issue. My schedule is at your disposal.
> 
> Respectfully yours,
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ERIC HOLM, JD
> President
> NFBSF
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> 
 		 	   		  
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