Following a season of protests against police use of force, city leaders unanimously passed a policy Nov. 10 to thrust officer body worn camera footage, helicopter video and security tapes into the public eye. Videos from the San Jose Police Department will appear on the SJPD or city website at the request of the police...
San Jose considers gas ban for new commercial buildings
In its next phase toward a gas-free future, San Jose will soon consider whether to require all new commercial buildings to be powered entirely by electricity. “We need to move all of our energy to renewable energy,” said Kerrie Romanow, San Jose’s chief sustainability officer. “We want to stop the problem.” Expanding the gas prohibition...
‘No intent to do harm’ in San Jose business group’s racist political ad, officials say
After an internal investigation, leaders of The Silicon Valley Organization said the posting of a racist political ad on its website was the result of a lack of communication, and held no one accountable. In releasing some results of an investigation today, The SVO named Glenn Perkins as board chair and said it is launching...
Residents debate height limits, open space near Google campus in San Jose
New apartments built near single-family homes should feature lots of green space — and better not rise too high. These were the top concerns raised by members of the Diridon Station Area Advisory Group (SAAG) Monday night, as the group discussed San Jose’s plan for the 250-acre area, as well as Google’s proposed 80-acre campus project. The...
Meet the community activist running for San Jose City Council
While the election may look like it is wrapping up, it is just beginning for LaToya Fernandez who is running for a seat on the San Jose City Council in 2022. Fernandez, 32, an educator, activist and community leader, said she intends to bring equity and representation to District 3. She would replace Councilmember Raul...
San Jose City Council: How will the property transfer tax increase be spent?
Eight months after voters approved Measure E — a property transfer tax increase— the city will decide how to spend the money intended for affordable housing projects and homelessness prevention services. Under the plan coming to the City Council Nov. 10, councilmembers propose using the $30 million in tax revenue to create new properties for...
Protester shot 6 times by San Jose police still awaiting trial 20 weeks later
It was the fifth night of protests in San Jose following the police killing of George Floyd and Yuridia Ochoa was doing a sideshow in his silver 2009 Audi A4 — turning in tight, fast circles in the car in front of City Hall at about 9 p.m. Within minutes, he was the target of...
WATCH: What has San Jose learned from a season of protests?
As the country grappled with the police killing of George Floyd, San Jose found itself at the center of widespread protests, confrontational policing and conversations about police brutality, racial bias and First Amendment rights of protesters and journalists. What has San Jose — its people, elected leaders and civic institutions — learned from a season...
San Jose moves to preserve undeveloped land in Coyote Valley
San Jose’s General Plan task force this week overwhelmingly voted to preserve Coyote Valley as open space for wildlife and limited agricultural use. More than 160 letters were submitted ahead of a meeting Oct. 29, including 116 with the subject “Please Protect Coyote Valley” asking task force members to preserve the land as agricultural and...
Who is responsible for The SVO’s racist image? They won’t say
Three days after a racist campaign image appeared on The Silicon Valley Organization’s website, the business lobby remains mum about who is responsible. Additionally, campaign finance records show the business group continues to work with a campaign consultant blamed for another racist campaign message posted in February. The most recent image, posted Oct. 27 and...