AC Transit Security Chief Resigns And Blasts AC Management "You two seem to relish at the idea that these people need their jobs and use that to threaten and intimidate them whenever you can.

AC Transit Security Chief Resigns And Blasts AC Management "You two seem to relish at the idea that these people need their jobs and use that to threaten and intimidate them whenever you can. 

AC Transit Security Chief Resigns And Blasts AC Management

https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-T-U-Local-192/234880406557388
This is Larry Perea's resignation letter:
From: Larry Perea
Sent: Mon 6/3/2013 2:59 PM
To: David Armijo; James Pachan; Kurt De Stigter; Elsa Ortiz; H. E. Christian (Chris) Peeples; David Wolf; Denise Standridge; Mark A. Williams; Linda Nemeroff; Joel Young; Greg Harper; Jeff Davis
Cc: Shay Knighten; Marcos Alvarado; Stephanie Plummer; Christopher Beach; Lewis Clinton; Thomas Prescott; Tom O'Neill; Jean Paul Popoff; Kendra Taylor; Beverly Greene; Maryam Paracha; Blossom Albuquerque; Cynthia Vincent; Barbara Daniels; Joseph Robinson; Craig Michels; Magnus Hienzsch; Elisabeth West
Subject: FW: Edited Final Sheriff's Contract Compliance Report

David/Jim

It is very unfortunate that I feel compelled to write this email, but if there is anyone who has an obligation to bring things to light it is me. I have nothing to lose and nothing to gain. 

When you first arrived David I felt this was good for AC Transit because you seemed to sense the need for positive business change around here and the need to help the people of AC Transit be better. What is interesting is that I have since learned many people initially felt the same way about your arrival. We all saw it as a chance to improve AC Transit with new business leadership. What we didn't know at that time was your intended autocratic methodology, or that you were bringing on a person with no people skills to help you with your mission. There are a lot of good people here who I've come to know personally over the years, many of them cc'd in this email. People who are simply trying to support their families and make a living. They may not all be the best at what they do, but many of them are doing their best and willing to work hard to do better. These are people who have already given years of their lives to AC Transit and they are now tip toeing around you and Jim daily, trying not to be the next person fired. Look at all the people who have already left, are preparing to leave or have been fired. Somehow all this has escaped the board, and if it hasn't escaped them, I don't understand why they are allowing you two to destroy AC Transit and the morale of the people here. 

What you have not considered is the sacrifices and cuts that were already made before you two arrived. Where do you think all that extra work went? Who do you think is doing it now? The people who are left here since the cuts in staffing were made, have already been through a lot. At least the morale around here was much better under the old management. Even when the cuts were made, people took on additional work and responsibilities and made the best of it. 

You two seem to have no ability to consider that you are dealing with people and it isn't always just about business. You have to have the ability to step back and consider that you may have no idea what people are dealing with in their own lives aside from work. I learned early in my Law Enforcement career that people are important as human beings and regardless of where they are in the chain, you should treat them with respect. When you are in a position of authority you have a responsibility to consider the impact your actions and decisions may have on the lives of other people. That's called Leadership and you shouldn't be in a position of authority if you don't have the ability to do this. You are dealing with people, not things. You two seem to relish at the idea that these people need their jobs and use that to threaten and intimidate them whenever you can. This only creates a hostile work environment. A true leader uses their people skills to help improve and better employees, not just demand from them and fire them when they don't do exactly as you expect. It's like being a master martial artist, you only use these skills when you absolutely have to and not before. It has become apparent to many people around you, people who interact with you two regularly that you both only care about the numbers and your objectives, and unfortunately that you two are willing to achieve them at any cost. Look around, I have never seen so many people with their heads hanging low. 

You and Jim were passing that Sheriff's Audit between yourselves for several weeks and I asked him several times over two weeks for a copy of the audit so I could get started on the draft report to the Board. He repeatedly said he would give a copy of it. On the second week I told him I still didn't have a copy and that the draft was due to him in 3 days. Again he said he would get a copy from you because you were still working on it. I asked him to extend the date the report was due to the board and he said you were against this, but he would check with you. Then on the morning of Thursday May 16th, Jim finally sends me a copy and says my report to the board is due to him the next day! He knew I was off the next week on vacation. The audit itself is 29 pages long with many complex areas of concern, and to expect a draft in a day was very unreasonable. So, I went to you about noon that day and explained that I was ready to resign and the unreasonable assignment from Jim. You were surprised that I hadn't received a copy and asked why Jim had not given me a copy already and I explained that I didn't know why. You ultimately agreed to extend the date the report was due to the board and told me not to worry about the report until I returned from my time off, and that you would tell Jim about the extension. Prior to walking out of your office you asked me to keep the lines of communication open with Jim going forward. I told you of course I would and took this to mean just keep talking to him as we interact. At no time did you ever say for me to advise him that you had extended the board audit report date or I would have walked the 10 additional steps to his office and done so. 

Even though I had had enough when Jim gave me that unreasonable task of writing a report to the board due to him in one day, when you asked me to reconsider my resignation until after I returned from my week off, I was still willing to consider staying since you were going to talk to Jim. But you failed to inform Jim of the extension as you said you would, prompting him to write another threatening, hostile email to me. In fact, then you attempted to change the facts as they occurred in a meeting with me and David Wolf. I was very disappointed in you. You lost all credibility with me right then and there David. How can I work for someone even another day who I can't trust? I am also tired of getting emails from Jim with threatening words, or orders to have something done without considering or asking what I am already working on. 

As for the audit, I guess you'll never know my thoughts about it because you never asked. You only wanted a report to the board on it after the audit was completed. I should have been involved with the audit along the way to point out the areas that were misguided or already being managed, but because you didn't ask, there are several areas of the audit that you addressed that have already been handled. I also feel that there should not be a report to the board until you receive a response from the Sheriff's Office. 

I am also very disappointed that although I have explained what a mistake it is to even consider using Security Guards on our buses instead of Law Enforcement, you simply seem to be ignoring all the things wrong with this idea. The large majority of our system travels through one of the most dangerous cities in the nation with people being killed, assaulted and robbed almost every day. There are serious crimes, assaults, robberies and shootings also occurring on our buses every day. You and Jim seem to be oblivious to this even though I share with you the reports daily, and monthly stats that reflect the crime on our system. I have informed you and Jim repeatedly of the need for more AC Transit Deputies and my message is falling on deaf ears. Our employees and passengers deserve to feel safe when they ride on AC Transit buses. You have reduced my budget to a point where there are only three to four deputies on at a time and they are somehow expected to continue covering all the District security problems and somehow create a safe environment on our system. There are so many things that could be done better to improve security on our buses, but not when you only have three or four deputies on at a time. And, that's on a good day. You may not like the expense of the Law Enforcement contracts, but I assure you, it will be a huge mistake to continue with reduced Deputy staffing. It is only a matter of time with the few Deputies we have, that something ugly will occur and reveal the insufficient Law Enforcement staffing on our system. And then the District will pay much more in liability than what we pay for our Law Enforcement services and it will be too late. 

If you won't listen to my opinion about the security and safety of the District, then I don't feel a need to be here anymore. You are creating circumstances where it is not safe for the bus drivers, the passengers or our deputies. You can do this if you like, but it won't be with me by your side. You can handle things yourself with all the wisdom between the two of you. So, although I would have stayed until I was vested in March of 2014, and I was going to stay initially until June 28th, in view of the events with Jim and what occurred during my meeting with you David, I am resigning as of today at 1500 hours. I guess Jim will have to do that Audit Board Report himself. You know I was once told be careful who you cause to leave because their work then becomes your work. 

P.S. I left my phone, laptop and badge in my office, and the keys to my office on the counter in Shay's office. Shay and Marcos have keys to Shay's office and Shay will be able to provide my home address where you can send my final check and payout for vacation time left on the books. Oh, and I also left a list of my responsibilities on the middle of my desk for you Jim.

Good luck!!