After years of peace, homicides in SJ are on the rise
Jason Le Miere
Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: News
Bonilla outlined what needs to be done to address San Jose's crime problems.
"The city of San Jose must make public safety its No. 1 priority," he said. "The budget needs to demonstrate our commitment to public safety. We need more police officers, we need more programs for youth, we need after school programs and we need intervention programs."
The mayor, however, said that everything possible is being done, within the constraints of the budget deficit.
"We need to hire another 100 police officers. I'd like to (do that) tomorrow, but I can't. We're going to try to do that over the next four years," Mayor Reed said.
Mayor Reed also stressed that these statistics have to be taken into context.
"We are so much better off than many other cities," he said.
Last year, San Jose had 3.5 homicides per 100,000 people, drastically less compared with Oakland, which had 30.3, and Fresno with 11, according to FBI statistics.
One SJSU student echoed this belief in saying that she still thinks San Jose is a safe city in which to live.
"If you hang out with the right crowds, I don't think you have anything to worry about," said Jane Redondo, a sophomore biology major.
The SJSU Police Department said students should still feel safe on campus.
"Crime rates for the city of San Jose, particularly homicides, don't really have an effect on what happens on the San Jose State campus," said UPD Sgt. Mike Santos.
Santos cautioned students and faculty to be careful walking by themselves at night.
"Generally is it still safe? Yes," he said. "But to be more safe, it doesn't hurt to have a friend or somebody to walk with."
"The city of San Jose must make public safety its No. 1 priority," he said. "The budget needs to demonstrate our commitment to public safety. We need more police officers, we need more programs for youth, we need after school programs and we need intervention programs."
The mayor, however, said that everything possible is being done, within the constraints of the budget deficit.
"We need to hire another 100 police officers. I'd like to (do that) tomorrow, but I can't. We're going to try to do that over the next four years," Mayor Reed said.
Mayor Reed also stressed that these statistics have to be taken into context.
"We are so much better off than many other cities," he said.
Last year, San Jose had 3.5 homicides per 100,000 people, drastically less compared with Oakland, which had 30.3, and Fresno with 11, according to FBI statistics.
One SJSU student echoed this belief in saying that she still thinks San Jose is a safe city in which to live.
"If you hang out with the right crowds, I don't think you have anything to worry about," said Jane Redondo, a sophomore biology major.
The SJSU Police Department said students should still feel safe on campus.
"Crime rates for the city of San Jose, particularly homicides, don't really have an effect on what happens on the San Jose State campus," said UPD Sgt. Mike Santos.
Santos cautioned students and faculty to be careful walking by themselves at night.
"Generally is it still safe? Yes," he said. "But to be more safe, it doesn't hurt to have a friend or somebody to walk with."
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