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Homelessness Crisis Declared Emergency

San Jose Vice Mayor Rosemary Kamei, Councilmember David Cohen, Mayor Matt Mahan, Elizabeth Funk, CEO of Dignity Moves, Councilmember Omar Torres and Jaime Navarro, a formerly homeless resident, speak at a homeless encampment at Lelong Street and Willow Street Oct. 2, 2023 in San Jose. Photo by Ben Irwin.

Earlier in the week, Mayor Mahan and I, along with Vice Mayor Kamei and Councilmember Torres, released a proposal for a Shelter Crisis Declaration. This action will allow the city to move much more quickly toward approving, implementing and managing shelters by drastically simplifying a complicated and time-consuming process.

The aim of this declaration is to ensure the city can act with urgency, producing definitive results more quickly. Please follow the links below for some news coverage that explains the declaration further:

NBC Bay Area • KTVU News • San Jose Spotlight

Mercado & Bruzzone Parks Groundbreaking Ceremony

Construction has commenced at Sierra Road and Mercado Way as crews broke ground on two new parks, Mercado and Bruzzone! These two parks will add vitality to the neighborhood when they open next year. Thanks to all the members of the community who came out to celebrate with their neighbors!

Police Investigating Penitencia Creek Stabbing Incident

The following is a press release from the San Jose Police Department:

On October 3, 2023, at approximately 5:18 PM, patrol Officers responded to the Penitencia Creek Trail near Berryessa Community Center for the report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from at least one stab wound that resulted in non life-threatening injuries.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was walking on the trail when, without provocation, was attacked from the rear by an unidentified male suspect. The suspect used a knife or a sharp edged implement during the assault. The suspect fled the scene prior to police arrival.

The motive and circumstances surrounding this incident is unknown and under investigation.

This is an ongoing investigation and Assaults Unit Detectives are asking for the public's assistance with any information about this incident or similar incidents.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Lindenberg #4673 of the SJPD Department’s Assaults Unit at 408-277-4161. 

SJPD will be increasing foot patrols in the area, as well conducting regular patrol checks in the nearby vicinity. The public is reminded to always be aware of your your surroundings, and report any suspicious activity to 9-1-1. 

Submit crime tips and remain anonymous by using the P3TIPS mobile app, or by calling the tip line at (408) 947-STOP. . If the information you submit leads to an arrest, you are eligible for a cash reward from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers Program.

As always, please use caution and be aware of your surroundings while walking on the creek trails. My office is working with SJPD Chief Anthony Mata and local captains to organize a community meeting in order to address the questions and concerns of our neighbors in the Penitencia Creek area. Details of that meeting will be announced on my social media accounts and in this newsletter.

Mid-Autumn Festival was a Huge Success!

Our first District 4 Mid-Autumn Festival was a special day that brought our community together at the Berryessa Library. It's a time to celebrate the fall harvest, cherish our families, and showcase our cultural heritage. We enjoyed lantern-making, lion dances, and captivating performances thanks to our talented performers and dedicated volunteers from Piedmont Hills High School Key Club. We're proud to preserve our traditions and look forward to more joyful gatherings in District 4. Special thank you to our incredible performers: Emcees Trina and James; Storytellers Hillary, Emma, and Thy; The Joyous Spring Lion Dancers; MiFaSol performers Harry, Katherine, and Samantha; GuZheng musician Ranya; MESZ Dance Crew Megan, Ellie, Shannon, and Zoe. Here's to many more joyful gatherings and traditions shared with our community! 

Planting Trees with Our City Forest

I'm so excited to get another new 38 trees in the ground in District 4! We’re more than half way through our goal of planting 1,000 trees. Thank you to all the volunteers that came out and, as always, thank you to Our City Forest for being such a great partner!

Help Keep Your Neighborhood Safe

The San José Police Department wants your help in fighting crime by taking part in the Camera Archive & Mapping (CAM) program. The CAM program allows residents and business owners to register the locations of their video surveillance systems with the City. When a crime occurs, police will be able to identify the locations of nearby video cameras and enlist the assistance of the community to help officers collect video evidence and follow up on leads.

The San José Police Department wants your help in fighting crime by taking part in the Camera Archive & Mapping (CAM) program. The CAM program allows residents and business owners to register the locations of their video surveillance systems with the City. When a crime occurs, police will be able to identify the locations of nearby video cameras and enlist the assistance of the community to help officers collect video evidence and follow up on leads.

Through the program, SJPD will be able to directly contact CAM registrants who are using video in an area in which a crime occurred. Police would ask CAM registrants to check their video surveillance system for a specific date and time for video that may show activity involved with a crime, such as a getaway car or the direction that a person of interest was headed.

For more information on the CAM program, including an exhaustive FAQ, click here.

Celebrating Filipino American History Month at City Hall

Councilmember Peter Ortiz and I are proud to recognize Filipino American History Month, a time to honor the rich history of Filipino Americans in the United States, dating back to the arrival of the first Filipinos in Morro Bay, California on October 18, 1587. We were joined at City Hall on Tuesday by members of the Filipino Americans Coming Together (FACT-sj) coalition. 

FACT-sj coalition consists: LEAD Filipino, Filipino Youth Coalition, Bayani Ng Kabataan Fil Am School, Filipino American National Historical Society of Santa Clara Valley, Malaya South Bay, Pilipino American Workers and Immigrants, and Moveable. 

In Support of Planned Parenthood

It was an honor to join many of my council colleagues and other local elected officials at the Planned Parenthood Mar Monte Roadshow, an event highlighting the incredible work that Planned Parenthood Mar Monte is doing in California and Nevada to protect reproductive rights and provide critical health care to millions.

Day On The Bay in Alviso October 14th!

Free Event - 免费活动 - Evento Gratis - Miễn Phì

The County of Santa Clara proudly presents this fun-filled festival along the beautiful South Bay shores of Alviso. Our 2023 event will include a resource fair and showcase the beautiful Alviso Marina, along with several family-friendly and recreation activities. This special event is a wonderful opportunity for small businesses and public agencies to share information, services, and resources with the local community. We're also excited for Bike To The Bay Ride(s) 2023 - Click HERE to learn more.

Historically, Day on the Bay has drawn more than 10,000 people to enjoy activities and celebrate the rich diversity and abundance of our community's cultural expression. According to the Mercury News, this is the most attended event in the historic waterfront town of Alviso.

Application for exhibitors or booths closed on September 1. Please contact us at Supervisor.Lee@bos.sccgov.org for any questions or late inquiries. 

Our 2023 free event will include:

☆ Health Services and Resource Fair - more than 100 booths and vendors

☆ Flu Shots and COVID Booster Vaccines*

☆ Pumpkins for Kids*

☆ Kayak Rentals* - Provided by Laine's Baits

☆ Marina Boat Tours with County of Santa Clara Parks*

☆ Youth Activities

☆ Food Trucks

☆ Bike To The Bay Ride - LINK

☆ Entertainment - including Rhoda Shapiro as Emcee!

And so much more!



Thanks to the support of the County of Santa Clara Parks, the Office of Supervisor Otto Lee, and our sponsors, we are able to provide this event to the community for free. *While supplies last/limited availability.

BIKE TO DAY ON THE BAY RIDE 2023 - CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

Pumpkin Giveaway October 18th!

3rd Annual District 4 Pumpkin Giveaway is here! It's so much fun to give pumpkins out to kids in the community. These are great looking, full size pumpkins! Come to 1376 Piedmont Road on October 18th, from 5-7PM and grab a gourd!

Take a look at the video from last year's event.

Neighborhoods Conference 2023

The City of San José Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department is hosting the annual Neighborhoods Conference on Saturday, October 14 from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Yerba Buena High School.

The annual Neighborhoods Conference brings together City of San José representatives, neighborhood association leaders, and other agencies to collaborate on community building, share resources, and foster connections. 

San José residents and neighborhood association leaders that would like to get more information about City services that enhance neighborhood livability and other community resources are invited to attend summit.

Our City Forest Tree Planting Sept. 30

A Gala Benefitting Veterans

Los Gatos Veterans Memorial and Support Foundation presents the Vet Gala this October. This is a fundraiser to support the construction a memorial to veterans (already finished but still being paid for) and support of veterans in need. With a raffle, live auction, and dinner from renowned chef Nick Difu, plus guest speaker Chief Warrant Officer A.J. Pasciuti, it's sure to be a great evening.

For information or to register, please email Wayne Heimsoth or phone 408-806-1804 

Boards and Commissions Seeking Applicants

Volunteer In Your Community

Volunteer Opportunities: 

If you are interested in volunteering over the summer, we are in need of volunteers for a wide array of events that take place in District 4! Please consider helping out your community.

Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Angela Pedrigal, at angela.pedrigal@sanjoseca.gov for more information. 

Let's Be Friends!

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Easily Access City Services

San Jose 311 is your gateway to City Services from vehicle blight abatement, graffiti removal, reporting fireworks, illegal dumping, pot holes, and more.

click here to get started.

Rebates up to 90% for Your Building Upgrades!

Through the San José Energy Efficient Business Program, your business can receive rebates when you make certain energy-saving upgrades. These significant rebates (80-90% off!) help make the projects more affordable, and when you combine the rebates with your lower monthly energy costs, the upgrades can quickly pay for themselves.

click here to get started.

Who's making a big difference in our community? A great teacher, business owner, a police officer who goes beyond the call of duty. Maybe there's someone spending their free time organizing creek clean-ups or blanket drives for the unhoused... If you've got someone special in your neighborhood, let us know by nominating them to be a District Hero!