Santa Clara County Public Safety Articles

Union leaders representing hundreds of San Jose police officers, firefighters and other workers said they shouldn’t be dealing with service and staffing cuts when the city has millions in reserve funds.
Leaders with the San Jose Police Officers’ Association and …

A 30-home project could be built across the street from Los Gatos High School, bringing student safety to the forefront.
The Los Gatos Planning Commission voted 4-2 on March 26 to recommend the Town Council approve a 4-story, mixed-use housing …

Silicon Valley officials want to extinguish their feud with state firefighters over regional fire protection territory. But their vote to expand Santa Clara County Fire Department coverage threatens to fan the flames.
The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), a land …

San Jose officials unanimously voted to approve a “First Responder Fee Program” that will charge $427 per emergency medical service trip made by the fire department to increase its funding — but who will foot the bill?
San José Spotlight …

Sunnyvale’s top public safety officer is retiring after eight years of service.
Public Safety Chief Phan Ngo will step down at the end of April, after steering the city through its COVID-19 emergency response and bolstering community trust in the …

Authorities are investigating a swastika flag that was displayed on the Burnett Avenue Highway 101 overpass in Morgan Hill during rush-hour traffic the afternoon of March 21.

City leaders are set to discuss a fee program that would allow the San Jose Fire Department’s emergency medical services to collect payments from people they treat.
Fire Chief Robert Sapien said San Jose needs to join the 23 fire …

Last year’s initial budget projection featured an estimated $53 million shortfall. The new budget projection unveiled by Maguire this week showed a projected $46 million shortfall, the equivalent of about 3% of the city’s $1.6 billion spending plan.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said he wants to see measurable improvements in homelessness and public safety before doling out pay raises for top city officials.
The announcement comes ahead of Mahan’s 2025-26 March budget message, set to be published …

One of Cupertino’s most dangerous roads will soon become safer for cyclists.
The Cupertino City Council approved the extension of a protected bike lane project down Stevens Creek Boulevard in a 3-2 vote last month. Mayor Liang Chao and Councilmember …

A statewide gun rights group is gearing up to file a federal civil rights lawsuit against Santa Clara County over price hikes for concealed carry weapons licenses.
The California Pistol and Rifle Association plans to sue over the Board of …

Sunnyvale public safety officers are optimistic a new study will find solutions to the city’s lack of paramedics.
The Sunnyvale City Council voted unanimously earlier this month to study expanding the city’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) to include city-operated …

A teachers union is joining parents in demanding San Jose's largest school district makes schools safer.
Following increased incidents of weapons on campus and social media threats post-pandemic, the San Jose Teachers Association is calling on the San Jose Unified …

Sunnyvale residents have been waiting for the city to implement its grand plan for a bicycle safety network, but a lack of action has led to mounting frustration.
The city's plan to build more bike lanes with protective barriers remains …

San Jose officials are voicing concern about how to keep paying for a non-police response program for mental health emergencies. Advocates doubt the city is even trying to make it work.
It’s been nearly three months since the city committed …

Sunnyvale officials want to tighten traffic safety near Fair Oaks Park after multiple pedestrian deaths over the past six years.
Fair Oaks Avenue has become a top safety concern for residents and cyclists. The heavily traveled road poses an immediate …

Fires emanating from San Jose’s homeless encampments far outnumber those coming from homes and businesses, leaving nearby residents scared for their safety and health.
Over the past year thousands of non-structural fires have been sparked by homeless camps, causing toxic …

Street closures, lower speed limits and designated “school zones” with car restrictions during drop-off times are among the measures that make up Palo Alto’s new plan to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
These programs, and dozens of others, are …

When wildfires threaten California communities, a viral lifeline has emerged: the Watch Duty app. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit, hailed by the Washington Post as “an essential app in LA for tracking wildfires,” has become indispensable for millions. With over 1 million …

A fight over fire response in South County has sparked threats of service disruptions and put firefighter jobs in flux.
Citing years of financial struggle and fragmented emergency response, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Jan. 14 …