Some Santa Clara County residents overwhelmingly oppose a new jail, calling on the county to shift from punitive practices that criminalize poverty and mental illness. After numerous reports about inhumane conditions behind bars, Santa Clara County wrestled with the idea of building a new jail. But now officials are looking to the public for alternative...
San Jose business leader floats big ideas about homelessness
One of San Jose’s largest business groups wants homeless people off its streets, and here’s it’s pitch to make that happen. San Jose Downtown Association Executive Director Scott Knies floated the idea of creating a social services team to focus on the homeless population. “What is clear to all of us in the trenches is...
San Jose to begin suspending unvaccinated workers
San Jose City Hall will start suspending unvaccinated workers this week after extending the deadline to coax holdouts to get the COVID-19 vaccine. All 7,037 city workers were given a one-week “grace period” after the Sept. 30 deadline to provide proof of vaccination before mandates are enforced. Those who have their first dose during this...
San Jose councilmember rebukes county for dishing out hazard pay
San Jose Councilmember Matt Mahan is raking Santa Clara County officials over the coals for what he alleges is a gross misuse of public funds to give county workers hazard pay for working through the COVID-19 pandemic. On Wednesday, Mahan publicly criticized the Board of Supervisors in an op-ed and on Twitter for approving $76...
UPDATE: San Jose board seeks outside review of records policies
A public records appeal from San José Spotlight has revealed a flaw in city policies and now an outside attorney will weigh in, potentially leading to policy changes. The appeal prompted a citizen-led city board on Wednesday to question its role and ability to conduct independent reviews of complaints. The Board of Fair Campaign and...
San Jose District 10 residents petition to house homeless elsewhere
San Jose residents near a proposed emergency interim housing site at Branham Lane and Monterey Road want the 176 units to be built elsewhere. The site, which is currently a homeless encampment, has long been a source of tension in the neighborhood. It’s one of several proposed sites awaiting Project Homekey funding. The city-owned housing...
San Jose housing on highway cloverleafs might not be a lucky charm
As San Jose scrambles to find new sites for homeless housing, its latest idea might leave residents scratching their heads—using extra land by highway on-ramps or cloverleaf interchanges. “We have to be very creative,” Mayor Sam Liccardo said at a housing news conference earlier this month. “We’re going to try to find that land in every...
Santa Clara County keeps people out of jail but under supervision
Santa Clara County has witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of people under pretrial supervision in recent years—a trend sparked by COVID-19 and likely to continue after the pandemic has ended. Between early 2019 and 2020, the population of people under pretrial supervision in the county doubled, according to a report from the Office...
California students must take ethnic studies—some in San Jose already do
California high school students will have a better understanding of the state’s history, diversity and culture under a new policy. Some Santa Clara County schools are ahead of the curve, offering ethnic studies as an elective. Local elementary school districts—such as Oak Grove, Alum Rock and Mount Pleasant—already have ethnic studies as part of the curriculum....
Prosecutor officially challenges Santa Clara County DA
Deputy district attorney Daniel Chung has officially announced his candidacy to lead the Santa Clara County DA’s Office. Chung confirmed on Tuesday he filed his papers to run for DA in the 2022 election. He told San José Spotlight the theme of his campaign is restoring justice and that it focuses on three pillars: integrity, competence...