Cornerstone 2: More Police Officers, Smarter Policing, and Early Intervention to Keep Young People on the Right Track
Do You Support More Police and Early Intervention?
1
Hire More Police Officers
San Jose is still one of the most under policed cities in America. For example, San Francisco has nearly twice as many police officers per resident compared to San Jose. The data is clear: more officers in our neighborhoods means a safer San Jose and Matthew Quevedo will prioritize completely rebuilding San Jose’s police force with highly-trained and motivated officers who understand our community.
2
Use Officers More Effectively
3
Better Technology to Support Crime Fighting
4
Implement Proposition 36 – Now.
California voters overwhelmingly passed Prop. 36 to fight retail thefts and to make sure that suspects after their third conviction could be required to go to drug and alcohol treatment. The facts are clear – treatment works to lower crime rates and Matthew Quevedo will work to make sure Proposition 36 is implemented fully and quickly here in Santa Clara County.
5
Do a Better Job of Recruiting and Retaining Officers
Right now, the city is struggling to fill our academy classes and retain officers. We must do better. Matthew supports both more financial incentives for officers who come to serve San Jose and creative new ideas like police officer and first responder housing that would give new officers free – and then reduced – rent to live in San Jose. That’s a win-win, with officers receiving a significant new benefit and San Jose having more officers and other first responders living in our communities. But we need to look at all the ways we can attract and retain officers with better pay, better benefits, and most of all better and more support from our community.
6
Focus on the Career Criminals
7
Focus on Prevention – Particularly for Youth
The very best way we can make our city safer is to make sure our kids have all the support they need to make better choices. That’s why Matthew supports early mentorships, working to support our local schools, job training for youth and summer job programs, proven anti-gang interventions and a community-wide focus on youth to keep them on the right track.
