Earn some extra spending money working just a few hours a day. This is a great job for retirees and others who are available in the morning and afternoons. The City of San Jose is currently recruiting part-time School Crossing Guards within the Police Department during the normal school year. Work involves providing for the safe conduct of elementary and junior high school children across heavily traveled streets. School Crossing Guards are required to work outside regardless of weather.

There has been some misinformation circulating regarding the proposed Bridge Housing Communities. Two of my top priorities when considering how I was going to vote on this issue were how many houseless would be served by this project, and what was the cost vs. benefit to the community. 

I voted the way I did for several reasons: first, the actual cost of each fully insulated unit is closer to $18,000, a more reasonable cost per sleeping cabin than the higher number circulating. Second, in order to prioritize safety and sanitation among our homeless community, the tiny-home community needs to have electricity and waste-disposal capabilities, this does bring the cost up a little. Third, the units must comply with our City's municipal codes. This also brings the cost up. So "tuff shed", "tiny home", or "sleeping cabin" they must conform to code, provide safety and sanitation, and be insulated, which would make them cost about the same amount no matter which form they take.

The typical "basic affordable apartment"costs between $150,000 and $250,000 per unit to build. A far less cost effective solution for urgent housing - but a great long-term solution which is why this is already being done across the city.

Research and case studies have indicated that the purposes of short-term transitional housing, the most thriving communities offer electricity, plumbing, and functional personal and group spaces. We want to give our houseless community the best opportunity to move up and out of their situation. The sleeping cabin community is not designed to be an emergency warming shelter, it is meant to be a stable, home-like environment where an individual can begin to go from surviving to thriving.

Thank you to the residents who contacted me voicing their concerns about crime in their neighborhood. I want to share updates with you all including helpful tips to keeping you and your neighborhood safe.

Review of Crime Stats

Last week, I met with our two Police Captains and Deputy Chief of Police to examine residential and vehicle burglaries occurring in our district. We reviewed the stats for 2016 and compared them to the 2017 numbers. Both residential and vehicle burglaries increase during the holiday season. This year, we are seeing a bigger spike than usual. The Police Captains assured me that our area is still the safest in the city, especially since so many police officers live here!

The Captains and Deputy Chief relayed that those conducting the vehicle burglaries are part of a ring of thieves traveling into residential areas from other communities within the South Bay. Police are pursuing leads in those crimes.

During the holiday season, criminals are looking for valuables in areas like front porches and vehicles on city streets. Our Police Captains will also be adding resources for this holiday season to address and catch package thieves.

Crime Prevention Meeting

We will be hosting a Public Safety Town Hall meeting on Thursday, January 18, 2018, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Willow Glen Community & Senior Center. This will be an opportunity for you to learn safety information from our Crime Prevention Unit and meet some of our police leadership and patrol officers. 

What You Can Do to Avoid Being a Victim

Vehicle Burglaries

• Take valuables with you. GPS devices, laptops, phones, wallets, purses, etc.
• Close windows and the sunroof.
• Lock the doors.
• Take the keys out of the vehicle.
• Hide or remove the garage door opener.
• Hide or remove items with personal information.
• Do not move valuable items with personal information.
• Do not move valuable items to the trunk while in public view.
• Slow down and use common sense before you leave your car.

• Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in.
• Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors.
• Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.
• Keep your garage door closed and locked.
• Don't allow daily deliveries of mail, newspaper or flyers to build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.
• Arrange for your lawn to be moved if you are going away for an extended time.
• Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.
• Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all of your outside doors.
• Sliding doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security.
• Other windows may need better locks. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives.

Solving Crimes

I applaud the work of our police department who quickly and diligently worked on the Booksin Elementary School Shooting and want to highlight the great work they have done by making an arrest within 24 hours of the incident. Working closely with the Booksin School Principal, SJPD officers started a foot patrol program at the school to help ease the anxiety and fear of community members and generate a proactive presence in the area.

Volunteer Opportunity

About a year ago, a gang known as BCN attempted to take over the Farm Drive neighborhood. They committed robbery, assaults, and recruitment of children in this neighborhood. The San Jose Police Department, Crime Prevention and the local Church organization are avidly working to make it a safer place. If you would like to volunteer or donate any resources to this low-income community, please contact our office at 408-535-4906.

Rebirth of the San Jose Police Department

On Friday, I attended the SJPD Academy Class #30 Graduation Ceremony where 42 recruits were sworn in as full-time San Jose Police Officers! This is the largest academy class we have had in many years. In addition, another 56 recruits in the academy now will gradate in April 2018.

Read the Informational Memo here.

From now until January 3rd, you can report the use of any fireworks by calling 408-535-5600 or by reporting them online at www.sanjoseca.gov/fireworks. All types of fireworks are illegal in San Jose.

Penalties for using fireworks are:

• $500 for first violation
• $700 for second violation
• $1,000 for a third violation

The sale of fireworks may result in a fine up to $50,000 plus jail time, depending on the quantity.

A rich array of arts and cultural offerings are essential to a vibrant and thriving city. Interested, eligble groups are encouraged to apply for the following grants availalbe through a competitive selection process:

• Festival, Parade and Celebration (FPC) Grants: Apply for grants that support San Jose community festivals, parades and celebrations held for the economic enhancement, cultural enrichment, and/or promotion of San Jose.                                                 Application Deadline: January 22, 21018
• Operating (OpG) Grants: Apply for grants that support full seasons of programming for professionally-managed arts organizations with year-round paid staff.                 Application Deadline: January 29, 2018
• Take pART Grants: Apply for grants that support specific arts projects for the public by San Jose organizations.                                                                                               Application Deadline: February 5, 2018