On January 30, Institute for Civil Civic Engagement (ICCE) Director Carl Luna gave testimony before the San Diego City Council Rules Committee in support of San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott’s proposal for the adoption of a new Code of Civil Discourse. The Code of Civil Discourse proposes behavior standards for City officials while interacting with each other and the public. The research on threats and harassment toward elected officials in San Diego County conducted by the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice’s Violence, Inequality and Power (VIP) Lab and the ICCE was referenced in City Attorney Elliot’s presentation and Dr. Luna’s testimony. 

San Marcos Unified School District. Untitled. Facebook, October 26, 2022. Accessed August 1, 2023.

In his testimony, Dr. Luna said the code would be “a strong step in trying to mitigate the possibility of threats and harassment.” He cited the unexpected survey finding that some threats and harassment toward elected officials are from fellow members of governing bodies. 

In her presentation, City Attorney Elliott referenced the “How Scared Are You?” report finding that 45% of the elected officials surveyed think new solutions are needed to handle the increasingly vitriolic environment. City Attorney Elliott also referenced the report’s recommendation of providing trainings for elected officials in diffusion and de-escalation tactics and reinforcing key elements of civility.

The San Diego City Council Rules Committee voted to have the City Attorney’s Office and Council President Pro Tem LaCava’s Office refine the Code of Civil Discourse proposal for future consideration. 

The use of the “How Scared Are You?” report to support City Attorney Elliott’s proposal is an example of how the Kroc IPJ’s applied research model is having an impact. Learn more about the research authored by VIP Lab Director Rachel Locke and Dr. Luna here.