San Jose

San Jose

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 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...

San Jose lawmaker proposes reallocating district funds for citywide use

Facing the perils of a looming $71.6 million deficit, a San Jose lawmaker is proposing to divert councilmembers’ unused district funds into the city’s budget. For the 2019-2020 fiscal year, each councilmember received $661,272 to pay for staff salaries, supplies, services and programs for residents in their districts. But the funds, which are replenished every year,...