without getting approval. i mean, is there any consequence or penalty? how do we monitor that to prevent it from happening again. >> madam chair, members of the committee, supervisor avalos, i don't think there are any consequences. certainly as budget analyst i believe that any increase that requires board of supervisors approval as the city attorney has advised us should go before the board. on this particular item i don't think there is anything that significant. it is a matter that the department has to be careful. i don't think there is a very agregious error in what has taken place. as you can see, we are recommending approval of this legislation with the correct amounts to be modified. but you're correct in your observation. this should not happen.

>> i haven't seen too many -- to often of a model where there are certain stages expected in terms of a contract renewed over and over, like this one has. this is pretty -- >> are you referring to the -- let me -- i know we are talking about next week as well but those are burning questions. >> supervisor avalos, are you referring to the fact that when the contract was first approved on a competitive basis the initial amount was about 600,000. now we are up significantly to $60 million. in this case we agree with the method the department used. it was always stated to the board of supervisors that after the competitive process they would adopt a plan, a work plan each year for the contractor to do

the work. so that is why there's been i think 16 modifications to this particular item. i think that the process the department used is reasonable in this case. >> okay. thank you. >> thank you, supervisors. should we open public comment and kles public comment. colleagues, do we have a motion to continue this a week? we have a motion. we will do that without objection. thank you. item seven, please. >> resolution approving contract number cpt631. planned rehabilitation between city and county of san francisco and complete work to rebuild major systems and components on approximately ab standard diesel buses in amount not to exceed 19,105,885 not to exceed six years, limited to 12 million.

>> thank you. we have a representative. >> briefly on this, this is from supervisor wiener's office . this would allow you to engage work to rehabilitate 80 diesel buses. this contract is reflective of mta's increased focus on maintenance and years of deferred maintenance of their bus fleet. this will help reduce bus breakdowns and increase reliability. supervisor respectfully requests your support. the mta is here. >> thank you very much. the mta. >> good afternoon, supervisors. i'm nelson how from the mta. this project is to rehabilitate 80 buses. the main purpose is provide reliable buses and extend lives of these buses in order for us to be able to

face the procurement of the buses and reduce average age of buses and make them more reliable for service. >> and the dollar value is included in your budget? >> it is -- yes, ma'am. it is $19.1 million. >> okay. why don't we go to the budget analyst report. >> madam chair and members of committee, the capital project budget is $20,690,000, that includes the proposed 19.1 million agreement, as well as a million and 600 thousand for related sfmta costs. the agreement expenditures, as you can see in the resolution, are limited to $12 million pending certification by controler of 4.1 million in state bond proceeds.

we recommend you approve this resolution. >> thank you. if there are no questions from the committee i would like to open this for public comment. any members of the public who wish to speak on item 7? seeing none, closed. colleagues, do we have a motion? we have a motion to send the item forward with recommendation and do that without objection. thank you. item 8, please. >> resolution authorizing san francisco department of public health to submit a one year application for calendar year 2013, to continue to receive funding for comprehensive h.i.v. prevention program grant from centers for disease control and prevention, requesting $9,523,313 in h.i.v. funding from san francisco january 1st 2013 through december 31st, 2013. >> thank you. we have tracy packer from --

>> i'm tracy from h.i.v. prevention. it says good morning but good afternoon. supervisors, thank you. so we are asking for approval for an accept and expend for funding from centers for disease control and prevention. this is the primary funding for h.i.v. prevention, though general fund is becoming more and more important, it is important to acknowledge our funds are decreasing from cdc and last year the mayor's office, with support from the board of supervisors, approved a back fill of funding that's decreasing. while we applied for $9 million, we will probably get about $8 million. little over $8 million for this coming year. we have now included cdc required san mateo and marin to be part of our division. we will get 7.5 million of funding into san francisco. a bit about it, cdc's priorities are for h.i.v.

testing, prevention with positives, con don distribution and policy initiatives. we are focused on testing in community settings as well as medical settings. all of or work is focused on addressing h.i.v. health disparities. an additional new piece is that there's funding in this grant to develop an integrated data system that will bring our data on tb, stds and viral hepatitis together to better serve our communities. couple things. this grant covers some staff. about 3.2 million in staff travel, materials and supplies. the rest over $4 million goes out to our community-based organizations. >> thank you very much. i believe we do not have a budget analyst report so

why don't we open this for public comment. are there members of the public who wish to speak on item number eight? seeing none, public comment is closed. we have a motion to send the item forward with recommendation. we will do that without objection. thank you. do we have any other items before us? >> that completes the agenda. >> thank you, we are adjourned. >> welcome to culture wire.

we will look at the latest and greatest public art project. recently, the airport unveiled the new state of the art terminal. let's take a look. the new terminal service and american airlines and virgin america was designed by a world- renowned architecture's firm. originally built in 1954, the building underwent massive renovation to become the first registered terminal and one of the must modern and sustainable terminals and the united states. the public art program continues its 30-year legacy of integrating art into the airport environment with the addition of five new commissions that are as

bold and dynamic as the new building. >> this project was completed in record time, and we were able to integrate the artist's early enough in the process that they could work with the architect said that the work that is completed is the work that really helps complement and instill the space as opposed to being tucked away in a corner. >> be experience begins with the glass facades that was designed with over 120 laminated glass panels. it captures the experience of being under or over clouds when flying in a plane. depending on the distance or point of view, it can appear clear for more abstract and atmospheric. the subtle colors change gradually depending on the light and the time of day.

>> i wanted to create an art work that looks over time as well as working on in the first glance. the first time you come here, you may not see a. but you may be able to see one side over the other. it features a couple of suspended sculptures. each was created out of a series of flat plains run parallel to each other and constructed of steel tubing. >> it is made up of these strata. as the light starts to shift, there is a real sense that there is a dynamism. >> it gives the illusion that this cultures might be fragments of a larger, mysterious mass. >> the environmental artwork

livens it with color, light, and the movement. three large woven soldiers are suspended. these are activated by custom air flow program. >> i channeled air flow into each of these forms that makes it move ever so slightly. and it is beating like a heart. if-0 when as of the forces of nature moving around us every second. >> shadow patterns reflect the shapes of the hanging sculptures. the new terminal also features a children's play areas. both of the market the exploratory n.y. -- exploratorium.

the offer travelers of all ages a playful oasis. using high quality plywood, they created henches shaped like a bird wings that double as musical instruments. serving as a backdrop is a mural featuring images of local birds and san francisco's famous skyline. >> in the line between that is so natural, you can see birds and be in complete wilderness. i really like that about this. you could maybe get a little snapshot of what they are expecting. >> it is an interactive, keck sculpture that is interacted with by the visitor. >> they are a lot about and they

fall down the belt. it moves the belt up, and if you turn that faster, the butterflies fall in the move of words. >> the art reflect the commission's commitment to acquiring the best work from the bay area and beyond. in addition to the five new commissions, 20 artworks that were already in the airport collection were reinstalled. some of which were historically cited in the terminal. it includes major sculptures by the international artists. as a collection, these art works tell the story of the vibrant arts scene in the early 1960's through the mid-1980s's. the illustrate san francisco's cultural center and a place of innovation that is recognized and the love throughout the

world. one of the highlights is a series of three left tapestries. they are on view after being in storage for 20 years. these tapestries representing various gardens. from his years of living in san francisco. hydrangeas, chrysanthemums, and whilst dahlias in rich, deep shades as they make their way to the baggage area. they can access behind-the- scenes information and interviews with the artist through an audio to work. it features archival audio as well as interviews with living artists. he can be accessed on site by dialing the telephone numbers located near the artwork or by

visiting the commission's web site. the public art speaks volumes of san francisco as a world-class city with world-class art and culture. for more information, visit good morning, welcome to the public safety committee of the board of supervisors. my name is supervisor john avalos, the chair. i'm joined by christina olague, the vice chair and supervisor eric mar. the clerk is dean na braley. our staff at sfgtv, who are

helping broadcast are jesse lar son and nona millconian. madam clerk. >> please make sure to silence all cell phones and devices. completed cards to be included as part of the file should be submitted to the clerk. items acted upon today will appear on the october 16th board of supervisors agenda unless otherwise stated. >> thank you. could you please call our one item. >> a hearing regarding theft scams targeting older asian women. >> thank you. this is an item that has been sponsored by supervisor eric mar. supervisor mar, the floor is yours. >> thank you, chair avalos. thank you for coming, everyone, this morning. the past few months we have been hearing, especially in the chinese media of these types of theft scams targeting chinese elderly. they have made me very

angry. not just because it is criminals praying on some of our most vulnerable but also it's been heavily impacting not only chinatown but richmond and sunset district. i really am appreciative of the law enforcement and community-based agencies that are here with us today. how they have really worked together to try to crack down to make sure people are aware of these scams and we can as a city kind of move forward to prevent them for the future. so this hearing is on a number of these types of scams that have happened over the past few months. they tend to target older chinese women in san francisco. since january of this year there have been a series reported. again, it is older asian or chinese women. it involves the theft of jewelry and money obtained under false pretense. nearly 50 of these cases have been reported in san francisco. it's totaled over $1.5

million of losses in cash and jewelry. many of these cases also again have taken place not only in chinatown but also sunset and richmond district. similar cases also have been reported in new york, chicago, boston and seattle. i wanted to invite up a number of the reps from our law enforcement and community agencies from the police department, san francisco district attorney's office rebecca prozan and david chan. first lieutenant art stelini. he's the chief investigator. thank you, lieutenant stelini. >> thank you, good morning, supervisors. as the lieutenant in the special victim's unit oversees the crimes district the responsibility of these crimes have fallen under our umbrella. as you can see in the handouts before you, to date of 2012 we have

approximately 50 of these such cases reported to us. they are broken down into series. we have the first series, a major series at the beginning of the year, which totaled approximately 35 police reports. in that case we originally detained six people at san francisco inter national airport. from those six, three were charged criminally here in san francisco, are in custody, awaiting their court hearings. there is another court hearing set for tomorrow on arguments on that case. the second series was approximately another 12 police reports, 12 victims here in san francisco. we have no arrests in that series, though we do -- we have identified our suspects by photo but not by name. our third series are two victims. on that one we captured the crime actually of one of

the victims on video. we have that video to show you, if you'd like to see it. it is approximately four minutes long. >> actually, yes. that would be good. we also have captain garrett tom of the central police station that is with us, besides the assistant district attorney rebecca prozen and david chen. *. i think it would be good to watch the video. >> i have it pre-loaded but i don't know how to get it on your big screens. >> deana, do you know how to get this going? >> i think you start the video, i will put the mic on. >> sorry, there was no audio. it was captured from a residence security camera turned over to the police. >> okay. we will view the video. you can talk over it too, if you can explain. >> while you are watching the video what you need to pay attention to is at some point the female hands over

a bag to another female. then another suspect joins hands with our victim, almost like they are praying. at that point the bag switch is made, unknown to our victim. that is when the money switch is made. the bags, as you will see, will be identical. >> i think we need to hit play. >> that is your victim handing over the bag. the lady in the rear just made the bag switch with the main suspect. >> there's the praying. >> she had already touched her hands. two will leave. another one will leave with our victim. two of the suspects will stay and wait for a fourth

suspect to arrive, who takes the money and walks away. a much younger asian lady. >> how was this caught on video? >> this is security camera from a residence. when security went out to scope the area, one of the things they looked for were the cameras. the lady off to the far right has the money. she's already made the switch. as usually in these type of cases the victim is told not to open the bag, not to touch it for several days. sometimes two weeks, three weeks, a month.

for the most part, that is what they do. there are cases where they start having doubt and tell somebody what happened to them. then they realized they may have been duped. they look inside and discover they have been a victim of a crime. there have several different ruses they will use. these are strangers. these women are trained at what they do. they hone their skills. they are very good. in real life when they commit their crimes -- here is the hand-off right now of the fourth or fifth suspect who comes in, puts the bag in another bag and walks away. >> okay. >> they separate. they are not together. the one suspect who actually has the cash, our victim is never seen.

she is walking down the street, our suspects get detained. the money is not there. when i worked narcotics. one would have the narcotics. another would hand off the money. if the person with the narcotics got arrested the person with the money ran free. again, they are trained at what they do, practice their skills. i strongly believe they target their victims. they watch their victims, watch to see if they are alone. if they have a purse or coming out of a store. real life they are not taking the money in the purse. they have the victims go to their homes and take the cash. they will tell them such stories as years ago your father stepped in blood, now he has evil spirits. if we don't pray together, if you don't bring your money or jewelry, something

bad will happen to you or your children. this is one of the stories they spin. again, it sounds as far-fetched. again, san francisco, we have had over 50. these are the ones that are reported to us. >> lieutenant stelini, can i ask how do the scam artists advertise they will provide this service to people. how do they get their victims to know that they are going to -- >> it is is a series. all these women approach their victim as strangers. one does not know the other as they spin their story. they will approach the victim and say in one instance, i need to go to the doctor. do you know where there is a doctor's office. the victim will say, gee, i don't know. another will say, yes,

there is a doctor's office down the block. they start with something that simple. before you know it you have four women, five women engaged in a conversation. they get her -- bring her down. get her to a comfort zone but emotionally overwhelming her. one is building on the other's statements. when they tell her the evil spirits are coming, something bad will happen to the family, the other two or three will reinforce that statement. again, they are working on our elderly community. that is who they are targeting. >> can i ask, of the 50 reported cases -- i'm sure it is embarrassing if you have been ripped off like this, but do we have a sense of how many have not reported this? >> no. i would venture for the 50 we have, there may be another 50 to 100 out there that are not reported.

it is very tough for an elderly person to admit something is wrong. not only in these types of cases with the elderly but all sorts of different life consequences that our elderly face every day, that they do not want to report what's happened to them, to the police or family members, as it may alter their lifestyle. we covered how the crime is, who our suspects are, our victims are. to date, as i said earlier, we have three people in custody in san francisco. two of the three in san francisco are still awaiting charges in new york, based on their crimes there. of the six that we detain at sfo, one a warrant was issued for her out of new york. they came and picked her up about two months ago and extradited her back to new

york. two, the other people we detain at the airport, boston, secured warrants for their arrest but decided not to extradite them to their county. >> are there any other questions for the lieutenant? >> just really briefly, thank you, lieutenant. when were these arrested? when was the period of time these arrests were made? >> about two months ago. two, three months ago. the arrest was gathered through working with the special victim's unit for two to three-day period we had every inspector in that unit working on this case. over 30 people working on it. that is what it took. we were in communications on two or three occasions simultaneously with new york, boston, chicago and u.s. immigration services.