It was one of the best days of former San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales’ life. “I feel like a kid at Disneyland for the first time,” he said. But instead of riding the rollercoaster on Space Mountain, Gonzales rode the first BART train departing from San Jose — a moment 31 years in the making....
San Jose police should wear face masks in public, officials say
As the coronavirus pandemic spread across the nation this spring, police departments in major cities began requiring officers to wear masks and gloves when interacting with the public. The San Jose Police Department added a mask requirement to its COVID-19 response plan March 30. The policy reads: “Effective immediately all personnel will wear all PPEs...
San Jose got more than $200M in coronavirus aid. Now it’ll have to up its expense tracking
San Jose has led on many of the region’s coronavirus response efforts, but officials are still figuring out how to track the related costs so the city doesn’t foot the entire bill while facing a major budget shortfall. Now San Jose officials are about to hire an outside consultant to monitor and help guide how...
Santa Clara: Retired CHP lieutenant Bob O’Keefe running for City Council
Retired lieutenant Robert “Bob” O’Keefe hopes he can continue to serve and protect the people of Santa Clara — this time from a seat on the City Council. Born and raised in the Mission City, the 60-year-old retired California Highway Patrol lieutenant has joined the race for the District 5 seat, which was vacated by...
Petition to fire San Jose police officer for actions during protests gains traction
More than 134,000 signatures have been added to an online petition calling for the firing of San Jose Police Officer Jared Yuen, after he was recorded licking his lips while holding his rubber round gun and shouting expletives at protesters May 29. Citing multiple videos of Yuen taken by bystanders on the first day of...
San Jose gets grant to look deeper at local cannabis industry equity
When San Jose opened its doors to the recreational cannabis industry in 2018, officials hoped those most hurt by its criminalization for decades would make up a big portion of the entrepreneurs that would benefit from its legalization. But data shows that though people of color were most likely to be cited, fined and jailed...
San Jose musician shot in the eye while playing music during protests
Armed with his Ibanez guitar and a harmonica around his neck, Joseph Cañas happily strummed protest songs on May 29, boosting morale and lifting spirits amid a chorus of Black Lives Matter chants. The 25-year-old was one of hundreds of demonstrators marching on the first day of weeklong protests in San Jose over the police...
Team San Jose pivots from conferences to coronavirus aid
Team San Jose – once the marketing giant for the city and the managing force behind its conventions – has pivoted its in-house catering to provide meals to shelters housing people impacted by COVID-19. The city of San Jose converted Parkside Hall and South Hall, both part of the McEnery Convention Center which is operated by...
San Jose lawmakers to propose ban on rubber bullets in crowds
A San Jose lawmaker learned someone is always listening over Zoom — and he revealed not-yet-public plans to ban rubber bullets by city police to break up crowds. Councilmember Raul Peralez was overheard discussing a plan with Mayor Sam Liccardo to restrict rubber bullets in crowds after he left himself unmuted on Zoom during the City...
Public rallies to defund San Jose police
A San Jose schoolteacher asked city leaders at Tuesday’s City Council meeting if Police Chief Eddie Garcia thought it was OK for teachers to use rubber bullets on students throwing water bottles in class after the city’s top law enforcement leaders justified officers’ use-of-force at recent protests. Following a presentation on police use-of-force, the comment...