INTRODUCING THE COMMUNITY TO CHIEF MATA |
|
Public safety is a very complex issue. Far too often, we focus on anecdotal incidents that represent symptoms rather than historically rooted problems. When it comes law enforcement specifically, it's a question of both how and how much.
My staff and I spend much of our time studying the issue from a broad set of perspectives. As we work with City staff and departments to resolve some of the issues, we further discover the inherent challenges faced by our communities and our law enforcement. Some solutions are short term fixes, others are long term and will require the combined efforts of many departments and agencies at various levels of government.
The one common ingredient required among all of these solutions is trust, a foundational trust that exists between the community and government agencies. This is most obvious when we discuss the issue of policing and law enforcement. We must, of course, discuss the need for systemic change. It is critical we work with our partners at the County and State to build far more robust support systems for mental health. We must work with community partners and organizations to create a broad swath of solutions for the many challenges we face.
|
|
It has become clear to me that the most logical, equitable and effective solution is a true spectrum of response. Many of our most difficult problems arise from lack of nuance from a system built on a one size fits all model of enforcement that creates impossible situations for all parties involved.
Over the weekend, newly appointed Chief of Police Anthony Mata and I, along with many of his officers and my entire staff, visited local businesses and spoke to community members. We went door to door, person to person, and took the time to hear their concerns. The goal was to foster relationships between the community and law enforcement and by putting faces to names, we hope to establish that familiarity. We’re all neighbors after all. It’s time we got to know each other.
Sincerely,
|
|
RECREATION SUPERVISOR ENJOYS CREATING INCLUSIVE, HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT AT COMMUNITY CENTER
As a Recreation Supervisor, Janae Whitcomb helps the City of San José provide services to the community that focus on inclusivity while fostering a culture of health and wellbeing.
Janae has served District 4 residents for five years, currently working out of the Berryessa Community Center. She oversees all recreational program throughout District 4, helps with programs at local parks throughout the community, and assists with the operations of seven after school sites that serve the students of the Berryessa Union School District.
|
|
On a day to day basis, Janae ensures the Berryessa Community Center is a hub that fosters community pride and brings people together through recreational activities. The center offers a vast array of wellness, recreational and educational programs for residents of all ages, and provides fresh and nutritious meals to seniors.
Providing services such as the Senior Nutrition Program to so many residents poses its challenges from time to time, but Janae said that knowing that she is helping with the delivery of services that have a positive impact on the lives of residents keeps her motivated.
“Social equity, health and wellness are imperative for communities to thrive,” she said. “The community center is more than just a brick and mortar building. It is transformed by the energy and passion of the people who visit: staff, volunteers, youth, families and adults.”
|
|
FLAGSHIP TOPGOLF LOCATION OPENS IN ALVISO |
|
Topgolf recently opened their brand new, state of the art facility in Alviso and their management team offered to give us a special tour of the location before their grand opening. My team and I got to see the inner workings of the massive operation and I can't help but be impressed by the people and precision required to keep things running smoothly.
|
|
We were also given a history of the planning, design and construction of the project itself. With many environmentally sound features, such as special reflective glass and lighting on the range nets to protect birds, solar panels on the roof and special attention given to environmentally sustainable building materials, it is clear that Topgolf has earned their LEED certification.
The company is looking to hire more than 200 employees from the local community and their presence should give an economic boost to the area and to San José as a whole.
|
|
Did you know District 4 is home to the largest wastewater treatment plant in the western United States? On Friday, my team and I had the opportunity to tour the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility and meet the engineers, chemists, and maintenance staff who are tasked with protecting our public health and environment. I spoke with them about the work they do, analyzing, cleaning, and managing 110 million gallons of wastewater each day, as well as about the cutting-edge improvements they are making to keep our wastewater facility at the forefront of innovation and environmental protection.
|
|
San José is a national leader in conservation and ecosystem preservation, and our wastewater facility, with its hard-working crew and reputation for efficiency, is a large part of that. As District 4’s councilmember, I am committed to ensuring it has the resources it needs to keep our water clean and safe, and to provide our city with a sustainable future. |
|
SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM - SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) is happy to announce two camp San José strong programs for children 3 to 12 years of age. Registration begins on Monday, April 19 for families that currently participate or qualify for the Citywide Scholarship Program.
|
|
Summer camps are modified to follow all state and county health and safety guidelines. All camps require face coverings, daily health screenings will be performed, and all programs are limited to 12 or fewer children. The City of San José will continue to monitor all state and county health and safety guidelines and will make any necessary adjustments.
Scholarships are available for families and individuals who meet the qualifications. Families must apply in-person at a community center and scholarships can be used at any program location. For more information or to register for programs, contact a community center listed online.
|
|
SIGN UP FOR FREE HOME FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY TRAINING |
|
Did you know that you have just two minutes to escape a home fire?
Most people don’t know this fact, so the District 4 Council Office is partnering with the American Red Cross to provide a free training session to teach families to act quickly. The training is made to help you educate yourself and your household on home fire safety prevention, creating an escape plan and go-bag, and other steps to prepare for an emergency. Trainers will walk you through testing your smoke alarms, creating your plan, and starting the critical conversations with your household. Training sessions are available in English, Vietnamese and Spanish and will be held on Saturday, May 8. The session will be approximately one hour long.
|
|
Since launching the Home Fire Campaign in 2014, the Red Cross has helped save at least 820 lives across the country by helping families create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms. Along with its partners the Red Cross has helped make nearly 900,000 households safer in at-risk communities.
|
|
COMMUNITY SURVEY
Help shape my policy decisions and priorities. It's vital to me that we hear from the community. Your concerns, your questions, your suggestions, they're all very important to me so please take a moment and fill out our survey.
|
|
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
ALVISO PARK CLEAN UP
April 24th
Meet at the baseball diamond in Alviso behind the Alviso Library
Meet at 9:30 to distribute equipment and assign areas
Clean up will be from 10am-noon
CONVERSATION ABOUT VACCINATIONS
April 21st: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
April 30th: 2:00pm - 3:00pm
May 5th: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
May 14th 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Register here for one of the dates above.
If you are like most people, you probably have many questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. Are the vaccines safe? How do they work? How are they different from each other? How do I make an appointment to get vaccinated?
To answer these and other questions you may have about COVID-19 vaccines, we invite you to attend BACH TALKS. The discussion will address critical issues vital to you and your family's health, as well as that of your community. Bay Area Community Health doctors will host BACH TALKS.
HAPPY HOLLOW REOPENING AREA
April 27th
Following County and State guidelines, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is excited to announce the reopening of Redwood Lookout and Adventure Grove play areas on Tuesday, April 27. Use of the play areas will be included with every Walk Through the Zoo reservation. To avoid crowding and allow everyone to enjoy the space, play areas will be accessible at a limited capacity for 30-minute sessions along the one-way, self-guided walking path. Visitors are responsible for ensuring their children are playing safe and following all posted rules. Learn more about using the play areas and make your reservation for Walk Through the Zoo!
FREE VACCINATION CLINICS
EVERY TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY
La Plaza is home to Gardner Health Services’ walk-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic for individuals 18 and over. Vaccinations are administered every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. for folks to return at a later time. First come, first serve
FREE COVID TESTING
1st AND 3rd WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH, 1:30PM – 5PM
Sierramont Middle School: No appointment necessary, walk-ins welcome
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
