A simple fact that is often forgotten—though it should not be so—is that we have the finest police department in the nation. Such things do not just happen. We have worked hard to keep that description. Chief Rob Davis has continued a tradition of excellence and community relations that began with Joe McNamara in the seventies. This is a succession of competence that needs to be recognized.
There has been much discussion about the charges of profiling and similar unacceptable activities by the SJPD. These are seemingly baseless. Although it is clear that our PD could do a far better job of communicating and sharing information, the actions that are being suggested have not been accepted or tolerated in our community for over 25 years. They are not true and should not be cavalierly tossed about. Successive chiefs and an exceptional command staff have worked diligently to create and maintain a department that is representative of our community and respectful of the same. They have achieved that goal admirably.
The latest example of the good work that they do was the rapid apprehension of the man who hit and allegedly attacked a twelve-year-old girl in Willow Glen last week. There are few crimes that so horrify any community than one like this. It is imperative that such attacks are quickly solved, as in this case. Good police work and a maximum team effort resulted in the arrest of a significant danger to the neighborhoods of San Jose.
This is not just luck. In the rest of the country, it is too simple to just assume that a cop will be there when you need one and that the police will solve tough crimes. However, whenever an alarm is raised in San Jose, a good cop—a highly trained and smart cop, a cop that may be a woman or Hispanic—will answer the call. It is a blessing that only arrives in a place where such police work and such policing is encouraged, supported and expected. We have worked to make our police department the best. We should not forget it.
I agree. The police, from my limited experience with them, are courteous, professional, and do an excellent job. Especially, when you consider who they mainly deal with on a daily basis.
Also, I read both the Mercury News and the SF Chronicle, and the Chronicle did a better job of reporting the story of the 12 year old girl than did the Mercury.
The Chronicle explained that the SJPD is now using a device that automatically scans license plates, and then checks if that plate number is listed as stolen, wanted, etc. That is how the officer found the suspect’s car.
Apparently, this was too insignificant for the Mercury to bother to report.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/13/MNJFSO1NM.DTL&hw=san+jose+girl+police&sn=009&sc=249
The City of Campbell thanks the San Jose PD for keeping them safe. Just go down to Starbucks or Whole Foods off Bascom/Hamilton any day during lunch….no crime to be had in Campbell thanks to San Jose PD.
” Apparently, this was too insignificant for the Mercury to bother to report.” may not be only reason why Mercury did not reporting the story since frequently stories in Chronicle are reported 1-2 later in Mercury
Police do not want ” bad guys ” to know they have equipment per SF Chronicle article –
” San Jose is among more than a dozen public agencies in the Bay Area that are using, or installing, license plate readers. It is a trend that has emerged quietly – in part because authorities, reasoning that criminals might try to defeat their systems, aren’t eager to advertise that they have them.”
“Police officials and camera manufacturers said the devices collect information that officers regularly gather in the public realm, only much faster and more efficiently.”
Another issues is ACLU concerns about privacy and misuse of technology
“Police officials and camera manufacturers said the devices collect information that officers regularly gather in the public realm, only much faster and more efficiently. “
” Where our cars are is where we are,” said Nicole Ozer, technology and civil liberties policy director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California. “There needs to be public discussion, and safeguards need to be put in place.”
Bluefox has a point since Mercury has badly slipped on local news reporting and now SF Chronicle is better paper
Tom,
THANK YOU for writing this column! We do have the best Police force! We are blessed.
One thing to think about though is if the NAACP and the ACLU get their way, and Police investigations and reports become public, how in the world are these victims going to be affected, and how is knowing investigation procedures going to help criminals avoid getting caught? The old adage of “Knowledge is power,” speaks volumes!
Kathleen
Both these groups have done courageous and important things in American history and have made a far, far better world than the US of 50 yrs. ago. However, w. the ACLU, they can take some extraordinary and foolish positions – when the southern downtown and its neighborhoods were under siege by prostitutes, johns, and the violent crime were mounting there, the ACLU continued to harass and interfere w. our effort to return that neighborhood to Lowell Sch. parents, the girs at Notre Dame HIgh, and the small businesses there. They fought and obstructed us w. some crazy argument that the hookers were some Hollywood version of Jane Fonda’s “Klute” character, not victims themselves and products of a terrible situation. They did not prevail. TMcE
Can anyone explain to me why there is always/usually a police officer present when work or maintenance is being done near or on a street? The officers always look bored and there does not appear to be any purpose for their presence. Thanks.
For the most part, I agree with Tom’s comments. I believe that we do have a pretty good force, and clearly, the SJPD did a great job in this particular case.
BUT…I have to tell you that I’ve had some first hand experiences with the SJ Police that were very “sub par.” (I have three first hand accounts that are too long to get into here). The fact is, there’s not enough cops for a city as large as ours. As a result, resources are focused where they are needed, and many “safe” neighborhoods are essentially “on their own.” To my mind, too much of our public safety is “complaint driven.” That is to say, the cops are not out there patrolling on a regular basis, they’re out chasing events after the fact!
You want to see high-profile public safety and traffic enfoecement…go to Cupertino where the Sheriff’s are out there, all of the time!
pete campbell
Jeff D: When you are at that shopping center, you are in San Jose!
Surely Ms. Ozer of ACLU (see post #3) understands that anything done in public (like driving a car with a license plate on it) cannot be the subject of a right to privacy.
Kathleen #4—is ACLU really seeking full public access to police reports? If so, they want criminals rights to privacy protected from license plate readers in the hand of cops, yet they also want victim’s names and addresses published so the bad guys’ buddies can intimidate the victim?
Good question #6—they stand there…mostly talk to the work crews..and even when there is a traffic snarl, they NEVER do ANYTHING about it. Good OT pay, I bet. Let’s take them off that duty—unless they decide tgo actually DO something—and put them on night duty @ Club Motif, Miami Beach Club, and other haunts of the troublemakers downtown.
SJPD (or its officers)…
1. Organized, in 1962, a police officers association to improve professionalism (an organization that only later assumed bargaining powers)
2. Established a minimum education requirement of 60 college units
3. Joined the Police Officers Research Association of California and bargained with the city to adopt Peace Officer Standards and Training standards.
4. Targeted for recruiting San Jose State’s police school (as well as the state’s many junior college law enforcement programs)
5. Created an accredited police academy, a cutting-edge Field Training program (that subsequently served as a model for other agencies), and a collateral duty SWAT unit
6. Initiated psychological screening for recruits
This is just a partial list of what went into making SJPD a quality police department, and what is significant about the list is that everything on it was accomplished before Joe McNamara ever set foot in San Jose. What McNamara did do, once here, was to drive from the department many of the key people responsible for the department’s professionalism movement (a “costly brain drain” according to a Ph.D who studied the department). The chief then set about to undermine the benefits of the improved standards by creating a rule that gave him the pick-and-choose privileges that all hardcore politicians crave.
From the standpoint of professionalism, McNamara was a cancer.
Local police agencies benefitted greatly from the timing of their initial growth (in the post GI Bill years), the proximity of the police school (pioneered in 1930), and the quality of the men who wore the uniform and wanted to make police work a profession. Almost without exception, the major improvements in local policing are the result of the demands, lawsuits, and hard-bargaining tactics by the cops themselves—not their leaders. Thankfully, there are a lot of good departments around here, and SJPD is certainly one of them.
Tom,
I agree with you 100%. “Good intentions sometimes does pave the road to hell.” I attended both their forums at San Jose State, the Sunshine Task Force Meeting, and watched the Council Meeting on the issues of opening up Police records, investigations etc.
After the San Jose State forum, I spoke directly to one of the recently resigned reps of the ACLU and let him know, I think the ACLU was completely in the wrong for not putting the rights of victim’s in the fore front of it’s need to stereotype Police, and demand records be opened under the guise of open government.
During the ACLU sponsored forum, I was compelled to stand up and request that racists remarks about whites, stereotyping, and portraying the ALL Police Officers as racist, profiling thugs be stopped immediately, and that the focus remain on the issue of opening more info to the public. Further, I made it clear to the NAACP spokes person on the panel, that this was indeed NOT just a black and brown issue, as he kept saying. I voiced concerns about the anti Police forums I’ve been attending for the past two and half years, and explained that this type of hatred is undermining immigrants and other victims of crimes from trusting the Police enough to report crimes to them.
During the Sunshine Task Force Meeting, many victims’ rights organizations also expressed a great deal of concern about the horrific implications of opening records and investigations to the public to victims. I really don’t think people fully grasp how dangerous this idea really is, and the re victimizing of victims that will happen. The press on the Task Force is really pushing for this kind of disclosure. Anything to sell a magazine, or newspaper, I guess.
Didn’t that incident happen in Almaden, not Willow Glen?
Tom,
Thank you for reminding us of our great police department. It is so refreshing to read, especially coming from someone of your stature in our community.
It seems to have become standard in the popular media to rip apart police officers, and also our military soldiers for the least perceived indiscretion. We forget that 99.9% of these men and women serve with honor and dignity, to defend us against those that would do us or our families harm. We call 911 when we need help. We expect some cop who we have never met and knows nothing about us to respond into a completely unknown situation, and take a bullet or get seriously hurt if needed to protect us. Cops do this all the time and it rarely gets a mention in the media. Cops do this because as much as some hate to admit it, they chose a calling to help their fellow man or woman.
I am so sick and tired of hearing that our police department is rife with racism, in the world according to the Mercury. I have been to police briefings, and looking around at the officers you see every possible race and ethnicity wearing the uniform. Many of these male and female officers are in the 25-35 year old age range. It would be virtually impossible in this day and time to get some group conspiracy amongst 1300 officers to target 1 or 2 racial groups. The Mercury, ACLU and NAACP cheapen the genuine civil rights battles that were fought in the 50’s and 60’s in which many people died, and try to make a living off of fear mongering from these times, not caring if they hurt community relations that the police department and genuine community leaders have worked so hard to forge.
Lastly, the “Sunshine Task Force” is indeed suggesting that all police reports, complete with victim and witness information, be made public to any one that requests such. This is beyond crazy. The “Sunshine Task Force” has not one member representing any victim/witness organization. It does, however, contain ‘leaders’ from media groups. Gee, I wonder why they are pushing for this.
In regards to the horrific crime against the 12 year old girl last week, the Mercury published the name of the hero/good samaritan that took in the 12 year old girl right after she had been run over by a car and sexually assaulted. The Mercury, in a complete lack of integrity, published this hero’s name complete with his neighborhood, BEFORE THE SUSPECT WAS CAUGHT. That means all the suspect had to do was read the Mercury and he could have easily hunted down this witness and good samaritan and done God knows what to him and his family. The Mercury in essence furnished to this brutal animal the name of this witness not caring of the possible consequences. Thank God he was caught so quickly before the could possibly commit another crime. This type of future reporting would be commonplace if the “Sunshine Task Force” has its way. Does anybody really trust the Mercury to have the integrity not to do such? These laws were designed in the first place to protect victims and witnesses from fear of retaliation and coming forward.
I hope our city council sees through this ploy by the Mercury operating through the veil of the “Sunshine Task Force”, and has the sense to reject this proposal. It would be a disaster for victims and witnesses, and at some point would touch almost all of us.
Keep up the great work SJPD!! 95% of the silent majority love you and the work you do, and you are appreciated. Next time I see one of you at Starbucks, your cup is on me. It is the least I can do.
#12—I believe it started @ the Walgreens off Almadedn EXPWY near Koch in WG, but the victim was transported to Almaden area where she was attacked.
Allowing unfettered access to police reports that have names and addresses of witnesses and victims in them is beyond insane. Go see the new movie “We Own The Night”. Witnesses and victims are killed or intimidated in real life, not just the movies.
13_ Dave excellent points! Well said. In answer to your question, NO I do not trust any news media, the Merc or otherwise to be integrity ridden enough to give one dam about the safety and well being of anyone, victim or witness that could help them get TV viewers, or sell their paper, or magazine.
14- JMO- “Witnesses and victims are killed or intimidated in real life, not just the movies.”
Several of my cases prove this statement correct. Many victims suffer retailiation for turning criminals in, or reporting a crime.
I like #9’s idea of allowing the problem clubs to pay for officers outside their joints until the problems stop. Seems all of these issues and problems in nightlife started when they got rid of the pay officers.
When I was at SJSU in the early 90’s the big clubs had officers out front and you didn’t hear of the problems like there are today.
So if the city and the Downtown Business Group refuse to get rid of the clubs. Why not force them to pay and have officers out front.
Could save the police budget millions per year. And yes the clubs would have to pay!
Update on Sunshine task force proposals:
“Mr. Robinson noted the Public Records Subcommittee recognized challenges with their initial recommendations and made modifications to these proposals at its meeting on October 1, 2007. Mr. Robinson summarized the following changes:
Sunshine RTF -and Public Records Subcommittee public meeting schedules
http://www.sanjoseca.gov/clerk/TaskForce/SRTF/TaskForceMeetingSchedule.asp
http://www.sanjoseca.gov/clerk/TaskForce/SRTF/PublicRecordsMeetingSchedule.asp
All Sunshine RTF and subcommittee meetings, minutes and documents are public and posted prior to meetings and public is encouraged to read materials, attend and comment
They are making $55 an hour to stand there and look bored. Some of these guys make $100K a year from doing those payjobs and forego the taxes as they are paid in cash. What a racket… SJPD is not as pure as the City wants you to think!
#2 )
Go down to the Almaden Valley at 0800 hrs every day of the week and you’ll find (6) Six SJPD Cars at the Country Kitchen Camden/Almaden Exp. for at least 2 hrs, then at about 1030hrs they migrate to the Almaden Center / Starbucks across the street for about 1 1/2hrs for coffee.
Then the boys in the San Jose Fire Trucks show up and hang out there for a couple of hours too.
The way I see it these guys get paid way over $120,000 to go to breakfast and coffee everyday?!
I never see them patrolling the schools or my neighborhood for criminal activity.
By the way if you think SJPD is going to issue you a ticket for speeding or a stop sign violation you guessed wrong.
They are too busy IM’ing eachother on the computers they have in the patrol cars.
BTW SJPD can’t be racist there are no white officers on the department any longer, unless they have a dark year round tan and are under 5’7” tall…
Ed,
Who is going to oversee the news media to ensure privacy of victims and witnesses?
What steps are being taken to publicly educate citizens of the changes you are making?
How are you going to ensure public input is respected, admitted into the record, and actually applied into this issue?
How does the Chief of Police and victim’s rights groups feel about these changes you have cited?
#6
Those are paid Jobs. They are not neccessarally being paid by the city. They are being paid by whomever asked them to be there. Example the police you see routing traffic at the Fleamarket are probablly being paid by the flea market.
Ed # 18: Sorry, but those “solutions” to the privacy/protection issues proposed are a bandaid. WHO is going to do all this redacting? Another bonehead reason to take sworn officers off tghe street to play redactors/editors of police reports before they are made public. The problem can be avoided by crushing this attempt to make police crfime reports public.
There aren’t enough people @ SJPD to process vehicle accident reports timely. Last year I tried to get an accident report in a matter in which I represented a person injured in an auto accident. I used to be able to send in a form and a check and have it in a week. Or, I could send someone to pick it up @ Mission St. if it were an urgent matter. Now no personal pickups.
It too SIX MONTHS to get it. I spoke to a friend in the SJPD who told me they have only two people working that dept. due to budget issues. So, victims and lawyers can’t get reports in a timely manner when no-one has to redact them. What will it be like under this bonehead proposal?
Thanks girlfromthenet. So sometimes they are paid by the City and sometimes not? Are they on duty at the time? I still don’t really understand why they are there and who pays for them. I would assume that the Quakes/Sharks pay for the police at their games. That makes sense. But for minor roadside construction doesn’t seem like they need to be present.
#23- Well said JMO. I don’t think the Task Force cares. It is heavily influenced by the Metro and Merc.
One other point I’d like to make, the fact that the Police Department is so short handed is also a concern I have. What’s to say unredacted reports or investigations get out by accident because no one catches it before it goes out? Then what?
Ed, I think you guys need to hit the books and start over. This report you’ve put on line is very, very short sighted, and very dangerous to witnesses, and victims.
24 – As I understand it, contractors are required to have a police officer(s) on site. They pay for it even though the police union requires it under their contract. That is why they basically do nothing, no matter how bad the traffic congestion gets. They are basically paid to stand around and watch the construction work. Good deal if you can get it.
Ed Rast,
Redacting reports prior to releasing them will do little to safeguard a victim or witness. There is plenty of secondary information in most police reports to figure out this information using a little deductive logic. Just the very perception that reporting a crime will put a victim or witness in peril will have a chilling impact on reporting a crime in the first place. Do you realize some of these reports are hundreds of pages long and victims and witness names can be used thousands of times in a single report? Who exactly is going to do all this redacting and where are these funds going to come from when other police positions have been slashed to the bone? It is only a matter of time before some overworked cop inadvertently misses redacting a name and the City and Police Department are sued, and there goes millions of more dollars in a settlement. This entire idea stinks and is absolutely foolish. The criminals truly have more rights than victims already, and this is just giving the crooks another hammer to hold over their victims.
Is the “Sunshine Task Force” pushing just as hard to make the past criminal history of a suspect public information too? Isn’t that pertinent information so that the public can get the entire picture in a police investigation? Of course you are not. It is illegal in California to make this information public. Yet, you are pushing so hard to traumatize a victim or witness that much more by making their names public. I don’t get it. Who’s side are you on?
Frank #20
The police department has a secondary employment unit that all outside payjobs go through. Officers interested in working these outside payjobs must register with the police department and all hours worked are filed with the department through whoever (Sharks, Arena events, construction traffic control etc). The standard pay is about $45 an hour. All officers are payed with a paycheck and not cash. All officers are issued a 1099 at the end of the year by the contractor, and this is also sent to the State of California, the IRS, and also the City of San Jose. The officer must report this income or face an audit. The contractors that do road construction hire officers because it is high risk work and in the event of an accident will have an officer and emergency response that much quicker on scene, and mitigate their liability.
To #21, Mike Hunt – Retired Lt.Col. USMC in Almaden Valley
In regards to your statement, “BTW SJPD can’t be racist there are no white officers on the department any longer, unless they have a dark year round tan and are under 5’7” tall…”
Good to see you retired.
#21-“BTW SJPD can’t be racist there are no white officers on the department any longer, unless they have a dark year round tan and are under 5’7” tall…”
What do you mean by that statement? Our SJPD is very much diversified and has officers of all races. Whites included. Are you saying that officers of color are racist?
Secondly, these officers work very hard daily. So, if they take a break for a cup, or a meal, I think they deserve it.
I really don’t understand this anti Police mentality. Police Officers put their lives on the line for us everyday, and they get treated like garbage in the press. I just don’t get it….
#26
That is why they basically do nothing, no matter how bad the traffic congestion gets. They are basically paid to stand around and watch the construction work. Good deal if you can get it.
The Sopranos had a few episodes where mobsters worked construction, and all they did was sit around all day. Why do the Police have to stand while mobsters get to sit? Where are our priorities in society?
Has anyone ever noticed that Ed Rast always posts information on topics the Sunshine Task Force is doing, and then never bothers to answer our questions about it? What is the point of putting this type of information on San Jose Inside, if he is not going to address our questions or comments, about the work his group is doing? Does he think just posting this information, and ignoring our questions about it, or his refusal to take part in discussions, somehow excuse him from being accountable for this task force? Or does he just think that we are too ignorant to go to the City’s website and get this information ourselves?
27 & 28 – Why waste time responding to a knucklehead like #21? A guy who uses a name from a Porky’s movie doesn’t have much credibility. Leave him alone—he can’t help it.
Good questions Jean!
I thought the Murky did a big story on how all the cops tend to get injured and need to be medically retired a week before they retire thus giving them tax free retirement?
Another interesting topic to discuss would be the cops union and its activites….
You people make me laugh with your ignorant dribble!
I think #20 & 21 are spot on IMO, but hey I’m a Clown~
Jeffrey – go ahead, discuss. TMcE
Jeffrey,
Whenever I hear a group description predicated by the the word “all”, in your case “all the cops”, whatever follows henceforth is the predictable prejudiced and ignorant blather of someone who has an axe to grind with that particular group of people.
Please at least present some solid evidence, rather than inflammatory rhetoric, to back up your allegation “all the cops tend to get injured and need to be medically retired a week before they retire thus giving them tax free retirement? ” The Mercury never printed this to my knowledge.
Frankly, any cop, or for that matter military person, that has served 30 years, and has a permanent disablity incurred keeping my community and country safe, has earned whatever tax break they may get.
Lastly, I know the police union has quietly and without fanfare, given hundreds of thousands of dollars of its own members money, to families and victims of some of the most horrific crimes. I know each year at Christmas they collect tens of thousands of dollars of turkeys and toys bought by their own money, and then off duty cops come in to distribute the turkey and toys to the neediest in our community. I know that off duty cops spend thousands of their own hours at local schools and gyms helping out kids.
Jeffrey, up in Seattle, quit keeping us in the blind and hippocketing the inside info you have. Enlighten us.
I was meerly asking a question. Cool your jets dude.
http://www.mercurynews.com/search/ci_5182616?IADID
This is what I was recalling, the high percentage of Police statewide that retire on disability and San Jose had a much higher percentage then the average, in fact the highest in the State I recall.
In regards to the union, they can be (as others) very political, endorsing candidates who desperately want the PD stamp of approval merely on the promiss of keeping the status quo with benefits/entitlements. The retirement benefits, along with other municipal employees, are making very difficult for San Jose to opperate.
The auto makers have seen this and are negotiating beneifits with future workers as they are not in the business of health care, and they “don’t want to make cars on the side.” as the CEO of Ford said.
Jeffrey,
You are the one who stated ““all the cops tend to get injured and need to be medically retired a week before they retire thus giving them tax free retirement”. You, nor the Mercury article link you provided, support your allegation. You have taken a tidbit of information, and extrapolated this into to a conclusion that fits your blanket accusation against “all” retired SJPD officers.
Any officer in any big city who retires after 30 years of service, especially in patrol service, does not likely go out without some injury or ailment directly related to their work. These officers have been in hundreds of knock down fights with combative subjects, high on drugs or drunk out of their minds. These officers have gotten in and out of their cars tens of thousands of times wearing 20 pounds of gear strapped onto their waste in ill fitting seats, driving in their cars on patrol for hours, only to suddenly have to run after and chase down some fleeing suspect. These officers have gone out with devestating injuries to their knees, backs, shoulders, broken bones, hearing loss, heart problems, high blood pressure, and job related cancers, and being infected with hepatitis or HIV after wrestling around with some bloody suspect.
Jeffrey, if you called 911, these same officers who are total strangers to you, would respond and put their health and life in peril to save you. These officers have families they may never see again after being shot or killed defending you after you called 911.
What in your life, if anything, have you done that is comprable to the valor and bravery our police officers possess, willing to do to save you, a total stranger to them?
When have you walked into a completely unknown situation in the middle of the night, either alone or maybe with one other perso, not knowing if somebody who is looking at spending the rest of their life in prison is waiting to ambush you if you stumble upon them?
Please don’t tell me to “Cool your jets dude”. I have no respect for those who take cheap potshots at our police officers, and yet will be the first to call 911 and expect an officer to lay down his or her life in their defense. In fact, I consider them cowardly hypocrites. However, please don’t get your panties in an uproar, I am, of course, not passing any sort of judgement on you.
Lastly, in regards to your statement “they (police union) can be (as others) very political, endorsing candidates who desperately want the PD stamp of approval merely on the promiss of keeping the status quo with benefits/entitlements.” So what? That is what unions do as a collective voice for the workers.
By the way, in our last election for mayor, the San Jose Police Officers association endorsed Cindy Chavez, who lost to Mayor Reed. Just because the POA endorses a candidate it is not a slam dunk to win an election. Our voters have the final say, or doesn’t it work that way in Seattle?
I get paid cash for my Pay Jobs… Dave if your not a Police Officer Please ease up on Jeff. Your both ignorant to the facts of Police work.
Yo Dave!!!
You forgot to mention that most of those heroes are paid over 100k a year. So I mean you know, they’re not necessarily doin it out the goodness of their hearts. They’re handsomely compensated. But point taken.
To #40 “Posted by A San Jose Police Officer in SJPD”
I very seriously doubt you are really a San Jose Police Officer. I think you are someone blowing a bunch of hot air trying to pass himself off as a police officer to the readers of this blog.
If you have read my prior posts I am extremely supportive of our great police department, and was a reserve police officer myself for 15 years.
If I am “ignorant to the facts of Police Work”, please lay them out here so I can respond. Please give details and not just blanket accusations or name calling. After all, as a San Jose Police Officer this information should be readily available to you.
To Ed Rast, chairman of San Jose’s “Sunshine Committee”,
Several prior posts from different individuals have asked you to provide why you and your committee are recommending releasing police reports with victim’s and witnesses names.
The question was also posed ‘where are the representatives on the Sunshine Committee representing victims/witnesses?’.
You have failed to provide an answer.
Please answer why this is an improvement to our public safety. Nobody else in this blog thinks it is a good idea, and rather than provide any sort of answer you have provided links that are useless. If you can’t answer the question directly, and with concrete reasons, please leave the present system alone.
We don’t need another useless link provided by you to avoid directly answering the questions posed by the prior posts.
I sure hope our city council turns this stinker down.
Despite the fact that police officers have traditionally come from the lower socioeconomic ranks of society, there arose about four decades ago a tremendous push to make police departments “look” more like the communities they serve. So that was done (at a considerable cost to long-worked-for standards), by targeted recruiting in particular areas (again, lower socioeconomic areas).
But look now, here is “East Side Dre” eagerly pointing out that the cops who look like us and protect us don’t do it for free. Wow! In what profession (or on what planet) is it reasonable to expect anything less? Are Rap artists doing it out of the goodness of their hearts? Or Dominican baseball players? Could there be any stronger evidence that it is open season on cops then the fact that someone would even bring up this point? Earlier on this blog cops were criticized for eating. Now they get it for accepting a salary. How long before we chastise them for breathing?
Besides facing the incredibly high price of local housing, a top-step cop is very likely to be married with children (they are traditionalists), have family members who need financial help, and possess a strong, experience-based desire to pay the price (private schools, better neighborhoods) to give their children the chances that so many others take for granted.
It seems to me that the goodness of their hearts is already promised elsewhere.
As for “handsomely compensated,” maybe—depends on your perspective. If you’re a critic, sitting on your duff in front of a computer at home or amidst the vacated desks at the Mercury News, that 100k may look quite handsome. Problem is, that salary (which is, by the way, paid to top-step veterans) hasn’t proven “handsome” enough to attract sufficient applicants for hiring purposes (every agency in the Bay Area is complaining about the dearth of police applicants).
How about we stop allowing the newspaper to lead us around by the nose and give common sense and basic economics a chance? The day the police departments begin attracting more than one excellent candidate for each job is the day we should freeze the starting salary. That will be the day we as a community can brag that we’ve raised enough sons and daughters willing to protect and serve us for the salary offered. But until that day, maybe we should just shut up.
#24
I’m not an officer so I’m not sure how it really works. I just have a friend who works for SJPD and he occassionally talks about his “Paid Jobs” He says he gets a seperate check in the mail from the places that need him to be there.
To “Posted by A San Jose Police Officer in SJPD”, #45
Your ignorance on the role of a Reserve Police Officer reinforces that you are most likely someone who is not actually a police officer, but rather someone, for whatever reason, trying to pass yourself off as one to the readers of this blog.
Just to enlighten you, a reserve police officer by state law attends a reserve police academy which is virtually the same training and requirements as a full time police academy and certified by POST (California Police Officers Standards and Training). The hiring process is the same consisting of written, physical, psychological, polygraph, and backround investigations. A reserve officer must complete a Field Training Program. A reserve police officer under section 832 of the California Legal Code has full police powers. I worked a solo beat 2-3 times a month without any direct supervision, and did all associated arrests, reports and follow up investigation as necessary. I was also called at home numerous times at the last moment to serve during city emergencies (example directing traffic for 15 hours at a busy intersection after the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989).
My role as a reserve police officer parallels that of reserve military officer as once called up for war or service there is no distintion between who is a reserve or who is full time officer.
After being a reserve officer for 15 years, and giving about 4,500 hours of service to my community, I made a very hard choice to retire from my reserve service due to family and business obligations. I still have many close friends on the department.
You have a little knowledge of police jargon and throw down the names of some of the police forms in hopes of passing yourself off as a police officer to the readers of this blog. Mostly what you offer are insults and name calling with no useful or constructive points and it is obvious you are not a police officer. What you try to pass off as information in #45 is inaccurate and false, and if you were an actual officer you would know this.
Jack, in regards to #46, I would appreciate it if you could point out that whoever signed himself as “Dave” and made comments directed towards Kathleen, is in fact a different person and poster than myself. To Kathleen, sorry that this joker is playing the same games with me as he did with you.
Comment deleted by the editor. See #50.
Dave #49
Thanks for the heads-up. I deleted #46 as it was written by someone pretending to be you. Sorry about that.
#49- Dave, it is clear by some of the posters, that they think our Police Department has some flaws. They are entitled to their opinion, as are you and I are entitled to ours. I agree with what you’ve said, and I support our Police Officers 100%. I’m not so ignorant that I don’t know there are some Police Officers who need looking at. In every profession there are good employees, and bad employees. I think Tom points out some very good points about the DT clubs depriving us of badly needed officers. I think JMO has some excellent points about low pay keeping good officers or candidates from applying to our Police force. I personally wouldn’t take $200 Thousand a year to put my life on the line for most citizens who act like some of these posters.
I didn’t see the post you are referring to Dave, but please know; I know you are gentlemen and would never lower yourself to the standards of some of these posters. I haven’t been contributing to the conversation because I can see the same people have turned a very vital topic into a street brawl complete with personal attacks and misinformation. It’s very much like what I see in DT on a Friday, and Saturday night, so I don’t go there. I have better things to do than defend my opinions against some very volatile jokesters.
I also think Jack needs to be vigilant about ensuring that poster aren’t using several different names in their posts. The Mercury News blogs edit out any impersonators immediately. If SJI wants to stay one of the most popular blogs, I think a code of behavior needs to followed, or good people will stop writing.
waaaa Jesus Christ, some of you are nothin but crybabies…
Anyway, I went to my local Chili’s on Friday night, you know the one on the East Side, I’m sure most of you frequent that establishment all the time. Anyhow It was 930 PM and there were 7 SJPD cars in the parking lot. I was thinking like damn it’s Friday night, on the East Side, something serious must be going on inside. I
was wrong they were on their meal break, whats that called Dave? Code 7. Anyhow, they were already there when I got there, and left at around 10:30.. Hard for me to imagine that in our city full of crime and homicides and stabbings and shootings in our Downtown, 7 cops can eat dinner together for over an hour and a half while the citizens of the city are at mercy of the thugs running loose.
We need more cops!!!!
Something that was brought up which is worth further discussion is the pay of the PD. Although I would contend they are paid well, man of them do not live in San Jose or even Santa Clara County. A few years ago I did some of my own research and found that a high percentage lived in Tracey, Los Banos, Salinas, Soledad, etc. The main issue was cost of housing in San Jose. What immediately came to my mind was 1989 earthquake and now I am thinking terrorism. What situation is SJ in when there is a good number of Police Officers out of county and most likely unable to get to San Jose when disaster strikes? I beleive Millbrae had a plan where the city gave their officers $100K on a no interest loan and $10K written off per year of service.
Something to think about.
#53- I just went to the City of San Jose’s Employment page and found this.
Type of Job: Open to all Applicants
Requisition #: CSJ-2007-0298
Department: Police
Open Date: February 26, 2007
Close Date: November 09, 2007
Benefit Level: Full-Time with Benefits
Salary: $61,152.00 to $61,152.00 (Annually)
There are a lot of requirements they must meet, and bilingual officers make more.
WOW! I just realized that the City could hire FOUR new Police Officers if they got rid of just one Deputy City Manager, or some other overpaid department head! Wow!
Funny thing is, most of the emplyees in a department know MORE about the job, how to save money, and do a better job, and get paid wayyyyyyy less, than these six figure income supervisors. Only in America~
SJPD is a joke,,,first of all, they don’t come out when they are called, they look for excuses not to come out and the way to find one,,,is look at all the Starbucks throughout the City/County. They are there.
There should be a rule that SJPD should NOT be hanging out at Starbucks and for that matter, local churches, parked in the parking lots of the churches in the area.
One night I saw at least 5 cop cars sitting behind a church and all they were doing was laughing and talking at about 9:30 p.m.
Don’t they have something to do that all they do is hang out at Starbucks and church parking lots?
Hmmm Barbara Attard should be looking into all the complaints she must receive about PD at Starbucks.
I’ve heard many people who have been assaulted and/or attacked only not to be responded to by an officer, but yet a few feet away, they are sitting having coffee…
our tax dollars at work??
(JMO) Means, Just My Opinion.
Not to be confused with johnmichael o’connor = JMO
Dave,
You used to be a Reserve,
I have to tell you if you didn’t know; a reserve is NOT a “Police Officer” and is more or less a Community Volunteer for the department and is not compensated unless they have worked a pay job under the general direction of a full time regular police officer.
The fact that you used to be a reserve is what intrigues me… Was an IA beef the reason you left the department? Could you not pass the range course for qualification to carry a weapon or did they take it away? Or did they learn about other issues.
I would imagine that the most complicated forms you may have filled out in 15 years as a reserve may be a Pre-Booking, Felony Affidavit or a CHP 180. When you were told by the regular officer who was driving to inventory a vehicle that needed to be towed after he arrested the occupants.
You were a glorified Ride-A-Long! That’s it!
Oh yeah Dave, in case you forgot this is the United States of America, and a man like Mr. Hunt – a Veteran and an officer that served this country is entitled to his opinions and observations about the department that you used to have an association with and that I continue to work for.
I respect all others opinions and figure we all have a reason to complain about something!?
JMO
Dave,
First of all let me say this, Your Whacked!
There is nothing in post # 45 that is false? Reserves are just that, wanna be police officers.
The only time a reserve officer works the street alone in a patrol car is when all of us real officers are on vacation or busy with training and doing serious stuff.
You say that you have worked cases, how does a reserve continue on with working a case if you work a couple of days a month?
Will you be re-contacting the victim of a case or following up on that “one” case you went out on to assist a regualr officer with?
A reserve academy at least at the time you were hired was just that a reserve academy and training is NOT the same a full time academy, did you have EVOC?
Nor does SJPD give it’s reserves the same recognition as the regular officers. We usually look at them as second class.
Hey, so you get to retire from the reserves, So what? Are you getting a retirement check from them? Nooooooooo! Dave you wasted 15 years of your life for nothing!
Your comment about there is no distinction of who is a reserve and who is a regular officer is incorrect… Please tell me what that ” A ” on your badge means officer?
I bet you heard that one alot… I hear it all the time from people when I have a reserve riding with me and we are on a call.
Lets take a look at what a reserve has for benefits and so on shall we!
http://www.sjpd.org/SJ_Reserves/history.html
Hey, I have to go to work now so listen for me on your police scanner Dave!
Yeah, Kathleen #55, there are a whole lot of positions that could be eliminated to give us more cops and firefighters and proper roads.
I haven’t perused the budget, but I suspect there are a whole bunch of “managers” who “manage” no more than a handful of people. So, what they really do is push paper upline and downline, is suitable beauracratese, but which add no value to the task at hand.
The mayor and council need to task ( a beuaracratic word if ever there were one) each dept. head to justify EVERY SINGLE PERSON in her/his staff before the six month review Pierluigi spoke of on his recent post.
If indeed # 56 is an SJPD officer, we’re in trouble. He’s wound up WAAAY too tight. Calling someone with whom he disagrees “Whacked” on a blog? I surely hope I never encounter him on the street, whether I’m in the right or in the wrong. The man has limited self-control, at best; which we cannot afford to allow someone with a badge and a pistol and a Taser.
Is there a way you can check him out, Tom, Jack, and if he is indeed an officer in ANY police dept., get him into some counseling and off the streets until he learns to control himself? If anyone’s whacked, it is he.
#58 JMO
I agree. I doubt very much that #56 really is a SJPD officer. However, as you point out, if he is, he shouldn’t be. I have also received complaints about this person from other bloggers.
We have no absolute way of verifying that an anonymous poster is who they say they are. We do not like the tone of this person’s postings and his attacks on “Dave” are completely uncalled for. However, before we considered banning the person from the board (something we have only done a couple of times in the past), I wanted everyone to see this particular post. Therefore, acting in this case as the site referee, I will now warn this person that we will no longer post his/her comments if they continue in the present vein. One more attempt like #56 and we will ban them from further participation on SJI.
I apologize to “Dave” and our other readers and bloggers.
#59- Thank you Jack! I think that Dave is being treated unfairly, and doesn’t deserve to be bashed. I know how he feels because I’ve gone through it too. When I see this kind of behavior towards others, I’ve decided not to take part in the discussion because it only gets worse.
What was so bad about what #56 said? There has been a whole lot worse on this blog and nobody made a peep. What’s the problem??
whoa, there, #56 disagreed with dave and now you’re threatening to ban him? Dave is the first one to bash anyone who disagrees with his view of the world – see his argumentative responses to jeffrey dennison, above. I for one question his assertion that “officers contract hiv from wrestling with bloody suspects” (post 38). I’d really like to see that one backed up with some facts- that not one, but several (since he used the plural) officers have contracted hiv from wrestling with suspects. I also think that sjpd’s questions are valid: how does he follow up on a case if he (dave) is only working twice a month? maybe that’s why it takes jmoc so long to get his police reports…
one last thought: since downtown is such a drain on the pd’s resources, one would think that logically they would stop paying overtime every single weekend, and re-allocate their budget to hire more officers. think about it: time and a half for several officers every weekend, or just paying regular pay for a few more officers. If my company knew that they would consistantly have to pay overtime on a weekly basis, for years, they would certainly make some hires to save money – not to mention improve morale by reducing the very long, tiring shifts that officers have to work on weekends.
thanks for the lively discussion.
#61- This blog is intended to share out thoughts in a respectful way, not bash one another’s brains out.
OK Folks here it is. It is cheaper to pay officers overtime than to hire new officers. The reason is that the benefits (healthcare vacation time, sicktime off, retirement contributions etc.) is just about equal to the pay. So overtime pay is 1 1/2 and new hires is 2 times so it is a decision made by the chief.
The Sheriff’s office does it also. The courts metal detectors are manned by a large degree
by retirees on an hourly basis of pay with no benefits involved.
#66- I guess the only way I can explain it is this, no one who is qualified is applying for the positions, and even though the Chief is asking for 600 more officers, there isn’t enough money in the budget for what’s needed. I know lots of Police Officers who would rather be home with their families after a shift, but have to work overtime because there aren’t enough officers to cover the city.
Also, other cities are competing for officers too, so they pay better than San Jose.
#62- The reason Police Officers are paid over- time is because they are short staffed. There aren’t enoough officers to start with.
#61 and 62
I am just being upfront with everyone about this. We don’t want to ban or censor anyone and almost never do, except where there is a violation of our stated policy. Debating, proposing, challenging, criticizing and rebutting ideas are fine. We are just asking everyone to cool it with the personal attacks. #56 knows what I am talking about.
Now let’s get back to discussing this serious issue. As #62 says, lively debate is good.
#64 – so, instead of paying officers time and a half, why not hire some at regular pay? think about it. You’d get more officer for less money then is currently being spent. Unless you mean there is a shortage of hire-able officers – in that case, why is Chief Davis asking for 600 more officers if he knows that he can not find them? (per discussions earlier this year.) It’s not because there aren’t enough willing recruits, it’s because he says he needs more budget for them. So, then, stop wasting money on time-and-a-half pay. It doesn’t make any sense.
Jack, Kathleen, and JohnMichael O’Connor,
Thanks for the thoughts and support in your prior posts regarding the personal attacks. I just considered the source of the attacks and figure that no facts presented would make much of a difference to this person(s).
To “Posted by a Police Officer in San Jose”
In your post, #56, you state in your closing “Hey, I have to go to work now so listen for me on your police scanner Dave! “
I would really like to listen to you on my scanner!!
Please, please let me know what channel you are on, what district you work in, and your beat assignment call sign, along with your shift and days off so I can listen to you on my scanner. Thanks.
So, Dave #69, may we all assume that the SJPD imposter failed to take you up on your invitation?
Or maybe he really is a cop…… on paid administrative leave for fatally shooting a smoker in a park. The boy has neither style nor self-control under the new Three Puffs and You’re Out Ordinance passed recently by our city fathers/mothers. Oops, maybe I’m his next victim.
In any event, he shut up…which is a good thing.
JMO & Dave,
I don’t see anywhere this SJPD guy has done anything wrong? I have a hard time bashing the guy, he seemed to point out a lot of things that were his opinion. I don’t think he attacked anyone but just wanted to make his voice heard. He appeared to be trying to assist with a conflict when it all went sideways and Dave and you folks attacked him.
Let us go down memory lane since Dave and JMO can’t honor Jacks request to stop!
Hold on to your seats here we goooooo!
—————————————————————————->
SJPD Officer Says:
I get paid cash for my Pay Jobs… Dave if your not a Police Officer Please ease up on Jeff. Your both ignorant to the facts of Police work.
Posted by A San Jose Police Officer in SJPD
Saturday, October 20 at 12:11 AM
Now I don’t see where this guy attacked anyone? But was aiding someone and saying he go paid in cash… how was he supposed to know your were a reserve officer?
Now lets get to the next post,
Dave you Said:
To #40 “Posted by A San Jose Police Officer in SJPD”
I very seriously doubt you are really a San Jose Police Officer. I think you are someone blowing a bunch of hot air trying to pass himself off as a police officer to the readers of this blog.
If you have read my prior posts I am extremely supportive of our great police department, and was a reserve police officer myself for 15 years.
If I am “ignorant to the facts of Police Work”, please lay them out here so I can respond. Please give details and not just blanket accusations or name calling. After all, as a San Jose Police Officer this information should be readily available to you.
Posted by Dave
Saturday, October 20 at 03:10 PM
Now Dave these all appear to assumptions…what are you talking about? and he did not name call, remember he is entitled to his opinion….
Now for Jacks complaints…
#58 JMO
I agree. I doubt very much that #56 really is a SJPD officer. However, as you point out, if he is, he shouldn’t be. I have also received complaints about this person from other bloggers.
We have no absolute way of verifying that an anonymous poster is who they say they are. We do not like the tone of this person’s postings and his attacks on “Dave” are completely uncalled for. However, before we considered banning the person from the board (something we have only done a couple of times in the past), I wanted everyone to see this particular post. Therefore, acting in this case as the site referee, I will now warn this person that we will no longer post his/her comments if they continue in the present vein. One more attempt like #56 and we will ban them from further participation on SJI.
I apologize to “Dave” and our other readers and bloggers.
Posted by Jack Van Zandt
Tuesday, October 23 at 04:29 PM
I agree Jack, But you know I don’t agree with the tone of other bloggers on here attacking this lone officer. But I’ll get over it figuring that everyone has an opinon and under the first ammendment they are entitled to it.
Lets move on!
#61 and 62
I am just being upfront with everyone about this. We don’t want to ban or censor anyone and almost never do, except where there is a violation of our stated policy. Debating, proposing, challenging, criticizing and rebutting ideas are fine. We are just asking everyone to cool it with the personal attacks. #56 knows what I am talking about.
Now let’s get back to discussing this serious issue. As #62 says, lively debate is good.
Posted by Jack Van Zandt
Tuesday, October 23 at 07:20 PM
Jack, Kathleen, and JohnMichael O’Connor,
Thanks for the thoughts and support in your prior posts regarding the personal attacks. I just considered the source of the attacks and figure that no facts presented would make much of a difference to this person(s).
To “Posted by a Police Officer in San Jose”
In your post, #56, you state in your closing “Hey, I have to go to work now so listen for me on your police scanner Dave! “
I would really like to listen to you on my scanner!!
Please, please let me know what channel you are on, what district you work in, and your beat assignment call sign, along with your shift and days off so I can listen to you on my scanner. Thanks.
Posted by Dave
Wednesday, October 24 at 08:20 PM
So, Dave #69, may we all assume that the SJPD imposter failed to take you up on your invitation?
Or maybe he really is a cop…… on paid administrative leave for fatally shooting a smoker in a park. The boy has neither style nor self-control under the new Three Puffs and You’re Out Ordinance passed recently by our city fathers/mothers. Oops, maybe I’m his next victim.
In any event, he shut up…which is a good thing.
Posted by johnmichael o’connor
Monday, October 29 at 03:13 PM
I agree Jack, but there were no personal attacks just observations and statements made of what his dept is all about.
Now I am an old man that has seen many things,but JMO and Dave seemed to (not) get your message about dropping the subject. When my kids were young they used to do the same thing and keep chipping on the subject.
Fella’s leave it alone please. Do you need and old man to tell you that for christ’s sake?
In the words of the great illiterate poet, circa 1991, Can’t we all just get along? (Rodney King)
Have a good day everyone!
Old Frank
Hi JMO #70,
He never did reply with the information so we could listen to him on the scanner per his request. Not surprising though.
Thanks Frank for your comments
Many who previously posted under their own name will not now, will do so only anonymously or have completely stopped because of San Jose Inside’s increasing negative tone and many personal attacks for just giving their opinion, which they are entitled to do so either under their name or anonymously their choice which you can ignore or not
We can agree or disagree but many personal attacks as Frank points out ” Can’t we all just get along?” and many times lack of facts to support strong opinions does not contribute to solving San Jose’s many problems or allow other to bring up new concerns or opinions only discourages participation except by the usual 6-10 bloggers
I just wanted to add something regarding the opening of Police records, and investigations. Has anyone noticed that the media maintains it’s right to keep sources confidential, but is demanding the Police department be held to a higher standard of openness? I think that’s pretty hypocritical of them, don’t you?
74 – No. One has nothing to do with the other. I am not saying opening the records is a good idea, but a journalist protecting a source is very different from opening police records.
Kathleen #74,
I also noticed that Ed Rast, who is the chairman of the “Sunshine Committee”, never answerered any of the questions we posed to him regarding the victims and witness rights in this proposal and the impact this would have on the entire justice system. He also never answered why nobody on this committee is representing victims/witnesses, and it is top heavy with media members. I hope our city council and mayor uses common sense and rejects this entirely media driven proposal. It is ridiculous. I also think it is hypocritical the media wants to be able to publish personal information of the victim and witness, yet by California law the criminal history of a suspect must remain confidential and I don’t see anyone pushing to change that.
#75- I respectfully disagree. They can’t be so hypocritical that they demand that the Police Department open records, and investigations that could hurt victims and witnesses, and then turn around and say they, the press, have First Amendment Rights that allow their sources stay confidential. There’s an Editorial in the Merc today with all the press boo hooing about this very topic. Many bloggers on the article bring out some pretty good points. Who exactly is overseeing the press when they violate the publics right to privacy? God help any of us if we screw up and end up in the press. They are just relentless, and cruel. Look at what they did to Mayor Gonzales, Jerry Silva, and now Wilcox. YIKES!
#76- Yes Dave, I have noticed that Ed just flies by and posts things, makes a comment from time to time, but refuses to be accountable to us, or respond to questions. Sad because if I’m not mistaken, he’s the chairperson for the Sunshine Task Force. In fairness though, I’d venture a guess that he is free only to speak to us as a private citizen, and cannot represent the Task Force without a full board vote allowing him to do so. Who knows though? I think if he’s going to post things on a public blog, he should have the integrity to answer honest questions about what he posts. Just my thoughts on it.
77 – I don’t think your examples are very good ones. Gonzales got off easy his first few years and then got what he deserved in his last year. The press hardly treated him unfairly. It’s not unfair to report the truth.
Silva and Wilcox had their stories told and they both had ample opportunity to make their case (Silva did an OpEd piece and I think Wilcox did also). It has not been shown in any of these cases that you mention that the press did anything other than report the details of each instance of wrong-doing.
I agree with 75 that the police records issue and defending a free press have nothing to do with each other.
#78- I respect your right to your opinion. I do want to clarify however that I didn’t say they had no right to report the issue; I said they are relentless and cruel because they are. They write story after story on the exact same person, with little or new information, just to sell papers. As to them reporting the truth, I disagree with that completely.
As to openness of the Police, and not the media, I respectfully disagree. The media needs to be held accountable for some of the things they write. Many times their journalism is slanted, and contains a lot of personal bias. Sensationalism sells papers; the truth to many is boring to many. I’ll take the boring truth any day.
A few corrections to my # 79 post. “They write story after story on the exact same person, with little or new information, just to sell papers.” I meant to say little to no new information.
“the truth to many is boring to many.” I meant the truth to many is boring. Ugh, sorry, old age, and the late hour….
I just wanted to put my comment out there with the many other comments about the SJPD. In my dealings with them I have been pulled over 10 times….so far in 1 year and a half. Since I am drving around a classic car and am a Hispanic who fits the typical description these are the reasons why I am pulled over. Do any of you know what its like to get pulled out of your car and searched for no other reason but drving? Do you know what its like to have your rights violated for no other reason than being brown skinned? Do you know what its like to have a narcotics test done on you? I have a perfectly clean background and have never been arrested in my 30+ years living in San Jose yet I am pulled over from everything to a dim brakelight to an “oh I can’t read the month on your license plate, to know which month your tags are expired” I have also been pulled over for a cross hanging from my rearview mirror. Am I the only one driving in San Jose with something hanging from their rearview mirror? This is very upsetting and disrespectful to me. I also work as a Mentor with at-risk youth and try to help in steering them in the right direction yet I am the one treated like a criminal. Why am I treated this way? Is it because of Racial Profiling? No that can’t be it right? According to our esteemed Chief of Police Rob Davis this can’t be happening in San Jose right? I am sick and tired of being treated this way when all I do is go to school part time,work full time,and work in the community to help others. I do not accept the lie that this is not going on because everytime I drive I feel as though I will get pulled over does anyone else drive around like that? What does it feel like to drive with out worrying about getting pulled over? What does it feel like to not be made to feel like a criminal for no other reason but the color of your skin? Someone please tell me I am dreaming and this is all just a nightmare right? I doubt it. Welcome to San Jose the safest place to live……for who? for me? No I do not believe so. Thanks for reading my comments.
Jesse – thanks for your thoughtful and disturbing comments. Of course, I find your experience very chilling. I hope you will not find me too naive to suggest that you call the Chief, call the Mayor, and make the times, dates, & instances known to them. I believe that if you can make the case as well as you wrote the comment, then action will be taken. Thanks for the blog – and I am pleased to have a person like you in San Jose. Please keep the faith that such tactics are not embraced by our city as policy. TMcE
#81- Jesse, I’m really sorry this is happening to you. Tom’s right, you need to file a complaint. You do not have to live like this. It is wrong. Thank you for keeping your cool and trying a better way to deal with this unfair treatment.
In answer to your question, yes, I got stopped for hanging my peace necklace from my rearview mirror. I didn’t know it was illegal. I also got stopped a lot when I drove my fiancé’s 1974 Dodge Charger. I’m white and middle aged, go figure. I even got several tickets in Los Gatos every single time I parked in the Wine Cellar’s parking lot, with my Handicapped plaque displayed in full sight! I was so mad I went to court and fought each and every one of them. Each judge dismissed them thank God.
I finally asked a judge what I could do to stop being discriminated against in this parking lot. He told me to go to the Chief of Police in Los Gatos and tell him what happened, and file a complaint. I did, and was never ticketed again in Los Gatos.
All you can do is fight back legally as Tom suggested. If you act out when being stopped, you’ll get the short end of the stick. Thanks for joining SJI. We love having you, and hope you come back. Good luck to you.
#84- frustrated finfan you make some very good points. Some of them I never considered. Thanks for bringing balance to the issue.
Jesse (#81),
Growing-up in a high-crime area my friends and I became accustomed to being stopped and questioned by the police. I can’t tell you the number of times we had to account for our whereabouts, empty our pockets, have our shoe patterns sketched. What was strange was that this seldom happened in other parts of town (we’d see cop cars drive right past us), but if we were spotted walking down the street in our own neighborhood a “shakedown” was almost guaranteed.
Rather than complain about it (like anyone would care) I gave some thought to the situation. I soon realized that it couldn’t be just because of one thing, like race or time of day or our ages. I knew that Black, white, or Mexican, our fathers weren’t getting stopped. I also noticed that we kids weren’t getting stopped in the daytime. And, as I mentioned, we weren’t getting stopped while in other parts of town. It quickly became clear that the reason we were getting stopped was because we were in a high-crime area (lots of break-ins), at a high-crime time (night), and we belonged to the group that was doing most of the crime (young males).
Was it “fair” that we got stopped more than did the kids living in Willow Glen or the Westside? No. But it wasn’t unfair either, because the cops were simply responding to reality (the same reality that kept door-to-door solicitors out of our neighborhoods and in Willow Glen).
You describe your car as a classic. That could mean one thing to you, something entirely different to someone else (like the cop stopping you). Your car may be in violation, as are so many of the “classic” cars that I see: lowered, tinted windows, loud exhaust systems, booming music, etc.
Do you drive a lot at night? In areas where there’s lots of crime, kids cruising, or gang problems? There could be additional factors.
Here’s a thought. Instead of wasting your time with the chief of police (hot air in, hot air out) why don’t you simply inquire of the next cop who stops you for the reason he or she did so? If the reason was for a vehicle code violation, take your lumps like a man and move on. If the reason given is unsatisfactory, take action on that specific stop (that will save you from having to unjustly slander an entire department—unless that’s your real purpose here).
Absent a cause, you have a complaint. File it. Get an answer, an apology, a lawyer. If there are, as you believe, cops stopping people just because they’re Hispanic, then you have an obligation as a citizen to make the department aware of it, so that they can address the problem.
Racial profiling has been a local issue for a long time, but for some reason its alleged victims prefer to deal in anecdotes instead of evidence. I wonder why that is?