San Jose is testing out a new gunshot detection program that aims to reduce violence in the city and help police respond faster. The program will be tested in the Cadillac Winchester area, where violent crime has been an ongoing issue, according to Vice Mayor Chappie Jones. “There’s been a couple of homicides over the...
Ex-employees allege San Jose councilmember used city staff to aid his reelection campaign
Two former employees of San Jose Councilmember Lan Diep told San José Spotlight the District 4 representative is using his elected office staff and public resources to support his reelection campaign. In general, using taxpayer dollars and government resources for campaign purposes is not permitted and is considered a misuse of public funds. The City...
Dev Davis finds way to San Jose, wants to stay as District 6 council rep
Councilmember Dev Davis never pictured herself as a politician. She came from hardworking stock — the daughter of a school teacher and a truck driver who hauled farming equipment. At age 10, Davis got her own job delivering newspapers and didn’t know much about the world outside her North Dakota home. “I didn’t really even...
Lan Diep wants 4 more years to keep paying it forward on San Jose City Council
As the first-born son of Vietnamese American refugees, Lan Diep prides himself on taking advantage of the opportunity given to him by his parents. “Lan was raised with a profound sense of gratitude for his life in America. His parents reminded him … they were much more fortunate than countless other refugees whose ships never...
UPDATE: San Jose council OKs anti-displacement plan to protect renters, landlords
Amid a housing crisis exacerbated by COVID-19, San Jose leaders approved a 10-part plan to provide rent relief and give nonprofits first dibs on property that goes on the market. The anti-displacement plan was approved Sept. 23 past the 12 a.m. curfew in a 10-1 vote. Councilmember Johnny Khamis cast the lone dissenting vote. Displacement...
Update: San Jose police can continue to use rubber bullets for violent protesters
San Jose police can continue to use rubber bullets for crowd control if people are being violent, despite Mayor Sam Liccardo’s push to ban them in crowds altogether after protesters suffered serious injuries during demonstrations against the police killing of George Floyd in May. Liccardo was the lone dissenter in the City Council’s 10-1 decision,...
San Jose police release body cam videos from protests
After pressure from the San Jose City Council, the city’s police department late Friday, released body-worn camera footage of recent protests over the police killing of George Floyd. “Body-worn camera video is an essential component in investigations and in maintaining the public trust,” Police Chief Eddie Garcia said in a statement. “Coming up with a...
What are lobbyists doing at San Jose City Hall? That’s a good question
For months, lobbyists from some of San Jose’s most powerful organizations have privately met with politicians and government officials — and nobody knows why. Week after week, two prominent business groups — the Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG) and the San Jose Downtown Association (SJDA) — have filled out weekly lobbying disclosures, which require them...
After years of debate, San Jose OKs commercial development fees for affordable housing
After more than five years of stalled talks, San Jose will begin charging commercial developers fees to fund affordable housing — a move housing advocates said is long overdue. Following hours of debate past the 12 a.m. curfew on Sept. 2, the City Council implemented the controversial fees in a 7-4 vote. Councilmembers Raul Peralez,...
Bustamante: Black and brown families can’t afford another giveaway to developers
Today, the San José City Council faces a choice: Will they create thousands of much-needed affordable homes or will they hand yet another giveaway to corporate developers that write big campaign checks? Right now, San Jose is the only major city in Santa Clara County that doesn’t have a commercial linkage fee — a fee...