San Jose

San Jose

Battle over billboards: San Jose faces lawsuit, pushback on proposed changes

San Jose faces allegations that its billboard ban—and proposed changes to its billboard policy—violate property owners’ constitutional rights. In a lawsuit, a group called Citizens for Free Speech and Equal Justice claims San Jose violates residents’ free-speech and equal protection rights through a decades-old ban on new billboards. The suit comes just as the City...

San Jose gets more backyard homes, but is it enough?

Despite the economic tumble following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic more than a year ago, San Jose homeowners are still forking over hundreds of thousands of dollars to build backyard homes. Some people build backyard cottages for rental income, while others reserve them for housing older relatives. The small units are art studios and work-from-home offices. Whatever the...

San Jose purchases land for new police academy

San Jose could soon get a new police training facility for an $18.5 million price tag. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to purchase 4.7 acres of land with a 97,831 square foot warehouse. The property will become a police academy, which police officials say is needed to replace current smaller, subpar training...

San Jose police department insider named top cop

San Jose officials on Tuesday announced their pick for the top police job—department insider Anthony Mata will be the city’s new police chief. Five of the candidates were either current or former officers with the SJPD, with four of them, including Mata, still with the department. Mata replaces former Police Chief Eddie Garcia, who retired...

Wage theft, hazardous conditions claimed at San Jose homeless site praised by Newsom, Liccardo

A homeless housing project praised by state and local leaders during the pandemic is the site of wage theft and hazardous conditions, according to interviews and documents obtained by San José Spotlight. “This was by far the worst I’ve ever seen in regards to violations from A to Z,” said Mauricio Velarde, director of compliance...

San Jose audit: Police overtime skyrockets

San Jose’s police department saw overtime hours among its staff skyrocket over the past 10 years, according to a new report released by the city auditor. According to the report, overtime hours have increased 300% over the past decade and now account for 10% of the department’s budget. It also noted the largest increase in...