For the families of more than a dozen people killed by San Jose police since 2003, the cost of losing a life is immeasurable. But the financial cost of police killings in San Jose lies on the shoulders of taxpayers. A public records request from San José Spotlight revealed police killings have cost the city’s...
San Jose mayor hires Washington consultant to boost national profile
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo hired a Washington-based public image strategist to boost his national profile in 2018, according to public records obtained by San José Spotlight, and the PR firm scored three contract extensions and a pay bump that adds up to a six-figure compensation package over several years. It started out as a...
How do you fix San Jose police’s troubles? Two former police watchdogs weigh in
Two former San Jose police watchdogs say reforms proposed in the wake of excessive force during protests and revelations of racist Facebook posts by officers won’t fix systemic racism seeped into the department. “What I heard early on from a lot of the leadership was, ‘let’s address the tactics that were used and that are available...
San Jose fire station at risk of erosion from Coyote Creek
While the risk of Coyote Creek flooding is always present for San Joseans living near the creek, a more insidious threat is creeping steadily to undermine the stability of homes and properties in the area: The gradual erosion of soil along the river. Now, the city of San Jose is relocating Fire Station No. 8...
San Jose Speaks: A conversation with IPA Shivaun Nurre
The Memorial Day police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis awakened an unprecedented movement in San Jose — and across the country — against police violence, implicit bias, systemic racism and confrontational policing. Those tensions exploded after San Jose police officers shot rubber bullets at mostly peaceful protesters in May, causing serious injuries by striking...
Parents worry about shootings after police booted from San Jose schools
Fear of another school shooting has rekindled in parents’ minds now that San Jose Police officers will no longer patrol campuses within the East Side Union High School and Alum Rock Union School Districts. The move is part of a nationwide reexamination of law enforcement’s role in society, especially as officer presence has not impacted safety...
As air travel begins slow comeback, San Jose airport gets $9.6M for new marketing plan
For years, San Jose’s Mineta International Airport has bustled with throngs of globetrotting jet-setters from around the world. Millions of travelers pass through annually — more and more each year. That was until the coronavirus and nationwide stay-at-home orders brought its exponential growth to a screeching halt this spring. But now, as travelers are cautiously...
San Jose’s general plan review hindered by online meetings
As online meetings become the new norm under shelter-in-place orders, some community leaders and advocates say meeting remotely has hampered plans to revise one of San Jose’s most critical documents: its General Plan for 2040. “(The online format) puts a lot of pressure to keep the meetings at a reasonable time,” said Jason Su, executive...
Santa Clara mayor’s company earned six-figures off teacher housing fees
It’s been 114 days since high school biology teacher Goldie Malone last saw her students. Luckily, the Santa Clara biology teacher at New Valley High School stays connected with other educators living at Casa del Maestro, an affordable housing complex dedicated solely to Santa Clara Unified School District teachers. But as rents continue to increase...
UPDATE: Santa Clara council approves Gateway Crossings hotel delay, affordable housing increase
Santa Clara elected leaders Tuesday unanimously approved delaying plans for a massive hotel and requiring more affordable housing on the Gateway Crossings project, a plan approved nearly a year ago. Located along Coleman Avenue near the city’s Caltrain station and an anticipated South Bay BART extension, construction of a 225-room hotel within the 24.4-acre mixed-use...