9/24/2025
Hey Ed,
Please confirm when you can set up
a tour for me at the new slave catcher headquarters, also known as the
not-so-public safety building. We can also discuss the disgrace of a police
chief we have in Palo Alto, Andrew “ Community Policing” Binder. You know
the guy who lives an hour away in Morgan Hill. I know you admire the guy
almost as much as I dislike the guy. One of the core principles of the
First Amendment is the right of community members to express their views
vehemently. The right to disagree on core principles of our democracy.
You’re still welcome for coffee at my place, about seven minutes from city
hall.
Best regards,
Avram Finkekstein
On Sat, Sep 20, 2025, at 9:48 AM, Aram James
wrote:
>
>
> On Wed, Sep 17, 2025 at 2:48 AM :
>
> City manager shouldn’t be giving his personal opinion on your public
> records request. What is this? - some kind of frat house?
>
> Good job on keeping folks accountable.
>
>
> On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Aram James wrote:
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>
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> On Tue, Sep 16, 2025 at 12:52 PM Shikada, Ed
> wrote:
>
> Hello Aram,
>
>
>
> I don’t know what’s caused you to feel the need to jump on our police
> chief, but rest assured that he is doing an extraordinary job. For what
> its worth, I will tell you that I have been consistently impressed with
> Andrew’s dedication and commitment to Palo Alto and his role as police
> chief. He is among the best people I’ve ever worked with, and I greatly
> admire how he performs his duties.
>
>
>
> Best regards,
>
> --Ed
>
>
>
> [image: signature_133351904]
>
> *Ed Shikada**, *City Manager
>
> *ICMA Credentialed Manager
> *
>
> (650) 329-2280 |*ed.shikada@PaloAlto.gov *
>
> *www.PaloAlto.gov *
>
>
>
> *[image: signature_199029287]
> *
>
>
>
>
>
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>
>
> On Tue, Sep 16, 2025 at 2:58 PM Aram James wrote:
>
> 9/16/2025
>
> Hi Ed,
>
> I have a very different opinion of Andrew than you do. And whatever
> opinion you have I totally respect but am doubtful we would agree on much
> when it comes to Andrew.
>
> When Andrew first came to Palo Alto from the SJPD I welcomed him to Palo
> Alto. I think we became friends and we both enjoyed talking about a wide
> range of community issues with a particular focus on something we were both
> interested in, police practices. We met multiple times at a midtown coffee
> shop long before he became chief. I thought i knew Andrew fairly well but
> turns out I saw a different face to Andrew when he became police chief.
> BTW: just last week I met for several hours with my friend and former Palo
> Alto Police Chief Dennis Burns at the same coffee shop.
>
> I grew up in Palo Alto and been a close observer of the PAPD for close to
> 60 years. Grew up with a mom who was a very active member of the NAACP. I
> now volunteer with the NAACP.
>
> I spent my entire career as a public defender, here in Santa Clara County
> as a front line public defender mostly, almost daily, cross examining lying
> cops who were bent on being the judge, jury and executioner of my clients,
> mostly poor and marginalized POC. Also one year in the Compton Branch of
> the Los Angeles Public Defender’s Office in 1988-1989. A topic of
> discussion by itself.
>
> After listening to lying cops for so many years I could feel the lies
> coming out their mouth almost before they said their first word. Just like
> you can read a city council person before they even step on the dais for
> the first time. All cops all citizen council members very predictable. Soon
> I knew how to control cops just like you know how to manage all most every
> type of city council type. City Manager Play Book 101. Right? Of course I
> am. It’s all about managing the conversation. I use cross-examination to
> keep cops on a very short leash. Admit it, you do the same with city staff
> and council. I watch you closely so I know. When I see you step too far out
> a line with a new council member I let you know. We in the same business,
> managed conversation.
>
> If you want to know why i have such a strong dislike for Andrew just ask
> him. He knows. Sure enough he know less he lying to you and himself.
>
> 1. Can you tell me how I can get a tour with a non aggressive professional
> member of the PAPD of the new jail? Sure don’t think Andrew has the
> capability of acting professionally towards me. He has already proven that.
>
> 2. Can we discuss the California Public Records Act and some concerns re
> how it is being implemented?
>
> *** Your invited to my house for coffee anytime if you which to discuss
> Andrew or related city issues pretty much anytime.
>
> Okay, my tax dollars contributed to pay for the new cop center so please
> let me know how I can get that tour.
>
> Peace,
>
> Aram James aka Avram Finkelstein.
>
> P.S. Call me anytime at 415-370-5056
>
>
>
>