The current issue before the city council about hiring additional police officers is one that I am not sure is as cut and dried as it may appear. It shocks me to hear that Chuck Reed is “verbally tussling” with anyone, let alone Nora Campos, who sounds for all intents and purposes like someone that could get under your skin in a hurry about this issue. Crime is up; therefore, more law enforcement officers are needed. However, is it really that simple? Chuck Reed agrees, but wanted to add only 25 officers so that other programs are not cut. Nora Campos says that we still need more. I am not totally convinced of either one.
My experiences with the San Jose Police Department have been few and far between (yep, no felonies to speak of here). I mainly see them policing downtown at night by parking their cars in the middle of Santa Clara Street. Many complain that this “police state” scares people off, and I don’t totally disagree. Are we saying we would be safer if more policemen were manning downtown? (I guess that the line at Starbuck’s would be longer too.)
I do agree that many of our intersections need more traffic control, but that doesn’t seem to be the chief reason to hire more officers. The main argument cited is the rising rate of homicides and gang activity. But are more cops on the streets the solution, or are the problems much deeper than that? Since most of the crime seems to be related to gang activity, perhaps we need more people involved in gang prevention task forces. Does hiring more police on Campos’ budget mean those programs are cut? I don’t think more cops on the street are the answer when more of the city’s budget should be focused directly on the problems at hand. Showing gang members ways to get out of that life should be a priority, but perhaps they would trust trained mentors rather than the police department.
Campos also argues that other big cities are adding more police to their streets, using San Francisco and Los Angeles as examples. But research has shown that crime isn’t improving in those cities. It is actually getting worse. And I don’t think anyone wants to “be like L.A” in this instance, as the Los Angeles Police Department’s problems are well documented. I fear the larger the police department, the less in touch the chief can be with his employees.
I do appreciate all that our law enforcement agencies do for us, but when it comes to unions, this is where my skepticism runs high. Of course the police union is unhappy with a small increase in jobs. Their motivation is getting the most money and greatest number of jobs possible, but is that what our city necessarily needs? I worry that with more jobs we aren’t just paying policemen’s salaries for the here and now. The city has to take into account the long-term costs of the pensions that they agree to when hiring new cops, something that I fear is often overlooked when it comes to hiring public employees.
There isn’t an easy answer here, but I think that hiring more cops without a plan or in the place of needed programs could be casting too wide a net and not solving any of our city’s problems. We have a serious budget deficit and, unfortunately, some difficult decisions need to be made. I, for one, feel safe in San Jose, and hope that the right decisions are made for our city, and not for individual political posturing or for unions.
Privitization.
And not of the police force. Privitization of night clubs and security.
The entire problem with crime in Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, parts of New York and most urban centers is the modern culture of night clubs and young people. You even start to see this in London now. And our police forces are tasked with dealing with them.
You want a liquor license and a club license (live music, DJ, stay open late)? Then you become a private club and are responsible for your own security. Patrons cause security problems, patrons can pay for private security in the form entrance fees and $9 Tequila and Red Bull, or whatever $4 kool-aid flavor they drink nowadays.
These businesses are making money off this brawling culture—they can clean up after it too. They’ll do a better job of it. If they are too ‘efficient’ in doing their job, then don’t go back to that club, hos.
Worried about law suits? Worried about illegal activities in these businesses if they do their own security (drugs, sex, etc.)? At least the police force can focus on this, instead of locking down the entire downtown 2-3 nights a week.
I was in Santa Barbara recently, and dismayed to discover that it turns into L.A. on weekend nights. Horrible. I’d like to think it isn’t about young versus old, but maybe it is. I don’t know.
#3: And when they’re not dunkin’ @ The Elks, they’re @ the far parking lot by Tamien Station @ LeLong St.
For as long as I can recall, the police union has always said we need more officers. There is clearly a strong union aspect to this debate and it colors what the reality really is.
It would be easier to buy into Campos’ argument if she weren’t literally in bed with labor. Her credibility on this issue is zero and although I’m not a big Reed fan, at least his plan shows some thought beyond regurgitating the usual union line.
If Campos, and others, were really concerned about crime and having enough police officers, they would not continually approve hundreds and hundreds of new housing units that stretch city services, including police and fire, beyond their limits.
The tragic death of the little girl last week is a reminder that we have out-of-control traffic in our neighborhoods. We don’t have traffic enforcement by police supposedly because there aren’t enough officers to cover the city. Let’s focus the officers we have on our existing residents rather than bring in even more. A little common sense would go a lot further than Campos hosting a dueling press conference.
Why do cop unions warrant any more credibility or reverence than any other workers’ unions? They’re lobbying for their buddies, plain and simple. We shouldn’t bow in fear. Is this rise in violent crime all happening at night clubs downtown? Nope, so get the cops we already have to start doing real police work. The ones that already do should be cracking down on their lazy coworkers. I wouldn’t want to be out responding to 911 calls while my alleged equal is standing outside a bar and chatting with his friends.
S.G.:
I understand that the city is also in the middle of contract negotiations with the Police union. I heard Mayor Reed on the radio the other day saying that they “want bigger raises,” and he “wants a bigger department.” Good line.
Does anyone really take Ms. Campos rhetoric seriously? The notion that she could make a serious run at Reed in the next election is laughable.
By the way, the council can have as many new cops as they’d like by simply downsizing non-essential city departments (ie Cultural Affairs, Economic Dev, etc).
Pete Campbell
If you ever want to see where the safest parking lot in San Jose is, MARKET & ST. JOHN, Thursday – Saturday, there you will see about 15 – 20 police cars for over 2-3 hours wasting tax payers dollars, while crime activity is happening in the parking structures and in the East Side.
Do we need 40 to 50 officers downtown? Not at all! I think the Chief is being misled by his own troops… I think its time HE rolls up his sleeves and takes a real hard look at how his department is running HIM…
Single Gal. There is a plan – if you read it you will seethat almost all of the new officer positions would allow for the re-instatement of detectives to actually investigate the crime reports that are made. Right now the PD only investigate a very small percentage of crime, therefore there are many, many repeat offences before someone is caught – if they ever are.
I suggest you find and read the PD’s 5 year staffing plan.
Single Gal,
“Since most of the crime seems to be related to gang activity, perhaps we need more people involved in gang prevention task forces.”
—Using your logic, if we were discussing the AIDS epidemic, then what you would favor would be funding AIDS prevention instead of meeting the needs of those already sick and dying. Gang prevention is only one part of the solution, and it does nothing to protect the good citizens from crimes and calamities caused by existing gangs. We citizens deserve a police force staffed to meet the challenge that exists—not the lesser problem we hope it will someday be.
“Showing gang members ways to get out of that life should be a priority, but perhaps they would trust trained mentors rather than the police department.”
—Gang members are not born into the life, they choose it. Go to the worst neighborhood and visit a kindergarten: do you see anyone claiming red or blue? No. What you see are children with potential being taught by teachers who care; being fed by cafeteria ladies who care; being crossed at the corner by guards who care. The kids who choose gang life do so not because they lack good role models, but because of their own failings and, most of the time, the failings of their families. “Trained mentors?” Bullshit—just another taxpayer-funded finger in the dike. What is needed are responsible moms and dads.
“… using San Francisco and Los Angeles as examples. But research has shown that crime isn’t improving in those cities. It is actually getting worse.”
—Of course it is getting worse, but that is not necessarily a reflection of the police. Look, just as no army of dentists can save the teeth of a population that refuses to brush and floss, no police force can make law-abiding a population that refuses to civilize its young. The relationship between hiring cops and civilizing a generation is not action and reaction: you hire more cops not to civilize the uncivilized—something the cops can’t do, but to protect the civilized from the uncivilized (something cops can do—with adequate manpower). It is very easy for people with assets to protect themselves from the uncivilized by paying to live and shop in nice neighborhoods, but, speaking from experience, for those without the necessary assets security comes in only two forms: personal fierceness and the boys in blue. When you say no to paying for adequate police staffing levels, someone (realistically, a lot of someones in the poorest neighborhoods) is going to pay the price. But that’s okay, in your neighborhood you should be fine.
“I fear the larger the police department, the less in touch the chief can be with his employees.”
—Chiefs are in touch with their departments when they share values and experiences. Unfortunately, city managers don’t hire chiefs with cop values; they hire chiefs who possess traits that make them controllable, which is why most big cities are today led by spineless placaters who will agree to anything that benefits them. Chief Rob Davis does nothing without first analyzing how it will affect him and the résumé he hopes will soon get him his second dip.
“… the police union is unhappy with a small increase in jobs. Their motivation is getting the most money and greatest number of jobs possible…”
—Police unions are not in the business of creating jobs. Their function is to focus their efforts on wages, benefits, and working conditions. This city is routinely sending its officers out to work districts without the staffing deemed necessary years ago—before the most recent escalation of gang problems. Many of us will not have an officer assigned tonight to patrol the beat in which we live, which means slower response time for emergencies and increased danger for the cops themselves. Forty years ago this city was staffed with less than 1.4 officers per thousand residents. The ratio is nearly the same today, but the city is much, much different. It is very easy to criticize the cops, make donut jokes, etc, but the truth is that San Jose is less safe not because the cops haven’t been holding up their end of the bargain, but because we haven’t.
SG- You are right, it isn’t that simple. I think we do need more Police Officers. Our city has grown by leaps and bounds but our Police and Fire Department has not. Crime is on the rise everywhere in the US and overseas because, as Frustrated Finfan has so aptly pointed out, some parents are not teaching their children right from wrong, or taking an active role in their child’s lives. The Police are there to enforce the law, keep citizens and their property safe. They are not hired to baby sit some lazy parent’s child.
Higher gas, food, rental prices, property taxes, and the cost of living in general are going through the roof and the average parent is busy trying to make ends meet. When they are home, they are too tired to be a good attentive parent. So their kids run around unattended and often seek out gangs as a way of finding a family and a way of fitting in, or they turn to drugs because they are lonely and feel unloved.
Crime is on the rise because the gap between the haves and have nots is ever widening. Corporations are putting Mom and Pop stores out of business. Companies are creating self-serve checkouts, computer programs, automated voice systems, on line shopping; you name it they are creating it in an effort to make bigger profits. In doing this they are making it very difficult for teens to find jobs to earn money, to buy that car or whatever it is they want or need.
Schools are suffering huge cuts to sports, the arts, and music programs that used to keep kids busy and out of trouble. Programs like the Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA, the YWCA, and hundreds more are drowning trying to find funds to stay a float. The list of what’s wrong and why crime is on the rise is endless, but continuing to expect the Police, who are after all only human beings, to continue to work under paid and under staffed is just ridiculous. In the end it is the little girl who just got run over, the friend of mine who was shot in the head leaving a bank in broad day light, and their families who pay the price for our Police Officer shortage.
San Jose has the same size police department now as it did in 1994. Our city has grown by thousands of citizens and is poised to continue to do so with no additional police officers. The investigative and traffic units have been gutted. Perhaps that is why there were 40 traffic fatalities last year. This is not all about gangs; basic calls for service are not being answered and basic crimes are not being investigated. Single Gal, it is good you “feel safe in San Jose” and your experiences with the police have been “few and far between”, but that hardly makes you qualified to understand this matter. If you ever actually are a victim of crime and it is not investigated as it should be, or call the police and they can’t respond, maybe your opinion would be different and you could add this to your anecdotal experience.
#8—absolutely. 19 employees in the Dept. Cultural Affairs to oversee the whatever % for the arts program?
Sam Liccardo said in a sound bite this a.m. on KLIV that due to tough times the council has to cut the street maintenance budget. Sorry, Sam. The cuts need to come in Cultural Affairs and all the other Marin-County-like feel good b.s programs that suck up dollars from ESSENTIAL services.
I’d bet the farm that if you cut all the toucy-feely stuff in the budget (and council/mayor staffs) there would be plenty of $$ to fix our third world roads, SAM.
Thankfully, we no longer have a spendthrift mayor at the helm. Gosh, look at Oakland’s Mayor Dellums, that guy is breaking the bank with $200/plate dinners, the finest hotels, limos, etc.
These are all points well taken, and I have never claimed to be an expert. I was simply pointing out that I feel safe here and people are jumping down my back for that statement. I do understand that others have had other experiences. I am trying to start the discussion that sometimes it is hard to take what the City Council wants at face value – it seems there is always a motive underneath. And you can’t discount the power of labor unions in all of this.
I do agree that cuts need to be made to other committees. Cultural Affairs – perhaps the idea of political correctness comes up.
I think Chuck Reed is sensible and will do the right thing. My point is that more cops isn’t necessarily better if they aren’t put where the problems are. Cops may not have been able to prevent some of the horrible acts that are being spoken of here.
Single Gal,
It is the Police Chief calling for 500 additional officers. He is not part of the Police Officers Association, and in fact at odds with them more often than not if the media is to be believed. Quit blaming all the call for new officers on your perception of the unions greed. If the city really is 500 officers short then our current officers are at much higher risk of being injured or killed, and the union has an obligation to their safety.
Too bad unions in general are in such decline as they have improved ALL of our working conditions, even if one has never been in a union. Maybe as more jobs are lost, more workers are injured doing more with less, and we sink into a recession, if not a depression, the call for job unionization will become a viable alternative as it was during our last depression.
#16-SG, Your column was very well done, and was right on the money. You raised some excellent points.
“My point is that more cops isn’t necessarily better if they aren’t put where the problems are.”
You have hit the nail right on the head in this statement!
When I attended the Traffic Calming meeting held by PO in D9, I was really angry when I left. I was astounded to hear that Traffic Enforcement was assigned to the same “certain” areas because those areas had more accidents, and that even though this department knew our district had/has a long history of serious problems with speeders on Woodard near our elementary school, that people had suffered in car accidents, and that we’ve had some property damage by hit and run drivers, that they would not be able to do much unless they got more officers. (I honestly felt like I was being blackmailed into demanding more Police Officers or else our district would just have to suffer.) Many of us let them know that was not acceptable, and that they better spread the wealth a bit. For a very short period after the meeting, we received patrols around our neighborhood. Now, it is back to the same old BS.
Also, on several occasions over the past several years we called the Police on a weekend. Once we called on a Saturday evening, during the summer because we heard gunshots coming from the schoolyard. It isn’t very well lit so we couldn’t see anything. I was shocked to hear the 911 operator ask me to call back if I heard them again! I asked her why she wasn’t sending anyone, her reply was, ”Our Officers are busy downtown.” Unbelievable is it not? It makes me mad just thinking about it now! UGH~
#3 The area near the Elks Lodge is one of the worst crime area`s in San Jose. Drugs in the area along the Almaden-Vine Streets from Virginia St. to Willow Glen Way are plentiful.These people are working from just over the District six line and comming into Willow Glen.
The S.J.P.D. have told us many of these people were working from our downtown SJ but, with gentrification of our downtown these people have just moved over to the Willow Glen area along Vine and Almaden Sts.
When the SJ Police blitz downtown these criminals just change neighborhoods where their is a shortage of police forces.These people are street smart.
Willow Glen and district six has been having all kinds of crime problems because of a shortage of enforcement officers.These people are not stupid.
Bring BART to San Jose and bring a whole new element to our city from Oakland,San Leandro and Hayward,“The Drug Lords”.Invite more “Gang Warefare”, our gangs vs. those from the east bay.Underground BART stations, even more fun.Couple this new condition with a shortage of police officers.
What gangs will survive,San Jose`s or the new gangs from the east bay or both.
Good article.
1) I feel safe in San Jose, except from speeding drivers and San Jose cops don’t seem to have any interest in enforcing traffic laws anyway.
2)Unions have become so powerful that you can’t take the police chief’s claim that more cops are necessary at face value.
3) According to some posters, being a San Jose cop is such a dangerous, thankless job that I’m not sure I’d wish such hardship on anyone.
4) Remember. Every cop WE pay to work, our children will have to pay for many years as he languishes in retirement.
Bottom line, and the main point is that San Jose IS a safe city and we don’t need more police officers.
Single Gal,
I love to know what goes on in the Elks Lodge parking lot several mornings each week.
On my way to work, I pass by the lodge on Alma Street at about 6:05 a.m. There are between three and four SJPD cars parked side by side.
I’m speculating that the officers are having a small donut convention. I wonder why they’re not out on the road.
You are a complete idiot. Your posts clearly indicates that.
Dave –
I am not talking about Cesar Chavez’ union here. I am talking about many other unions who are totally in the back pocket of politicians…and there are plenty out there. I am not pointing all the blame at them, but they def. deserve some of it.
Are you in a union yourself?
SG- It would be the politicians who are totally in the back pockets of the unions, not the other way around.
And these “union members” we shouldn’t trust and that only care about getting the most money and greatest number of jobs possible…remember these are police officers and firefighters you’re talking about. I think they have other priorities as well.
And, NO. I’m not in a union.
Considering that 80+% of police officers in San Jose make six figures or more, simple common sense makes one dubious about the marginal value of hiring more. When someone can explain to me why two beat cops require the equivalent of an executive salary, maybe we can begin a rational discussion.
#21
I was in the retail clerks union for many years. This is part of the AFL-CIO which is also affiliated with the farmworkers union. I speak from experience as the the union safeguarded the working environment and well being of its members. Have you been in a union?
Also, please share your inside knowledge with us to back up your statement “I am talking about many other unions who are totally in the back pocket of politicians…and there are plenty out there.” Which unions are these?
Richard #20,
The “found money”, 250 million to expand the convention center is coming from a hotel industry tax on themselves. They are taxing room nights to raise the 250 million. That is not from any RDA budget.
Johnmichael,
You are 100% correct. The SJ Redevelopment Department can find $250 million when ever it needs to to spend the money downtown on the Convention Center, regardless of the “Cities Financial Shortfall”.
Many residents of “North Willow Glen” live in their homes under the area perscribed as Redevelopment Department`s area of eminent domain district. This area also encompances “Willow Street” from Lincoln east to First Street.Willow Street is in terrible condition in this area. The gutters are almost lervel with Willow Street, the street has serious cracks, the bridge over the Guadalupe is sinking at Willow @ Minnesotta Sts.Driving down Willow is like riding a roller coaster.Crime is out of control close to Willow at Vine and Almaden Streets.And the Redevelopment District and the City says they are out of money to repair this area.
“BUT”, they can find money,$250 million to expand the failed Convention Center.
Families living under the threat of “Eminent Domain” fear the loss of their homes without a affordable new place to relocate.
Richard #20: Willow is nothing compared to Alma from First St. to almost Bird. That road was heavily damaged by the construction trucks for Rte 87. What was that—20 years ago?? Still not fixed. Yet Curtner, from Old Almaden Rd. to Meridian has recently been repaved, although its condition was not nearly as bad as Alma. But Alma’s in the ‘hood, so they don’t get the $$$ D-6 gets. Who makes these decisions, and how are they justified??
#24 “Duh”
Dear Duh,do your home work next time. The hotel tax for the expansion of the Convention Center ,“has not raised $250 million yet, not even close.
The Special Hotel tax for the Convention Center is a good thing.But the “insiders downtown” are asking the San Jose Redevelopment Agency to kick in an extra $120 million extra money from their General Fund in addition to the dollars raised by the special hotel tax.Other Funds are also coming from “Property Taxes”.
The Redevelopment Funds seem to headed for more downtown projects and still there is a list of unfunded projects downtown waiting for funding.
The redevelopment area goes beyond dowtown San Jose.The RDA should spread the money around to other areas within the redevelopment district too.
Johnmichael, the area around Tamien Station especially from the Guadalupe Expy to South First Street on Alma/Minnesotta Sts is in the Redevelopment area also.The RDA shoul repair Alma/Minnesotta Avenue and Willow Street too.The parking lot at Tamien Station should be built also.
The RDA repaired San Carlos Street downtown and it looks great. But Willow/Minnesotta/Alma Sts. are not downtown.Why?