Two weeks ago on this site, Officer James Gonzales voiced widespread concerns for the safety of nightlife in Downtown San Jose. He wrote about our city's 20th homicide of the year and the dangerous environment created by supporting certain types of entertainment downtown. Officer Gonzales recalled the Ambassador's Lounge, a now-defunct nightclub that was shut down over safety issues.
Sure enough, earlier this week, San Jose police revoked the license of another downtown nightclub. This time, the axe fell on the dance club Wet, which saw 49 calls for service over a five-month period earlier this year, most of them for violent offenses.
Obviously, this is a hot-button issue for all of our residents, particularly those living downtown. Now, you can tell us what you think needs to be done. Pretend you're on the City Council and let us know how you'd protect Downtown. We'll repost the best comments in a later blog.
Have a good weekend, and stay safe.
Friday, September 25, 2009
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When is the city going to learn? I had the pleasure of speaking with a developer over the weekend at a social gathering. He asked me about the downtown area. I could only explain it one way. "Pack up the family kids included and go out for a late dinner on a Friday or Saturday night" That didn't seem like a good idea. Everyone is aware due to the clientel that Downtown weekends in SJ presents a challenge to your safety.
ReplyDeleteNow a few questions. Do the night clubs make the city any money as a tax base? If we add up the extra Police and Fire needed, EMS, wear an tear on city streets, clean up with city workers etc? The list could go on and on. Can we make the owners of the building responsible for the renters for above average calls for service? We charge for false alarms. Should we send City Council to San Diego and have them see a community, family enviorment like that of Old Town San Diego?
It's time to present San Jose as as the historic oldest city in Calif. Make it a place for family. Bring the shops back. Bring the people of San Jose back. Bring the safety back. Bring the city back. I would encourage anyone to visit Old Town San Diego with your family during the weekend Any hours.
Pete,
ReplyDeleteWhy go to San Diego? Have people take a drive to Old Sacramento. Winter or Summer a nice place to eat and bring the family.
I would start by arresting those who are drunk in public and causing problems. Oh, I forgot, the police are strongly discouraged from doing this anymore.
ReplyDeleteFix Downtown?
ReplyDeleteZero tolerance-maximum enforcement of all laws and city ordinances including public drunkenness, (647f PC) minors in places where liquor is sold (25655 B & P), minors possessing alcohol (25662 B&P), drinking in public (10.12.010 SJMC) etc. Draft city ordinances that mirror state laws regarding the most commonly enforced laws associated to nightclubs and bars. Make arrests under the city ordinance so that money from fines goes to the city, not the state.
When police response is required to one of these nightclubs, have at least one police unit respond with emergency lights and siren so that the club can be billed for “cost recovery” of the cost of police service.
Direct the chief of police to streamline all paperwork and prisoner processing in relation to arrests and citations made at clubs and bars so that officers can minimize downtime from arrests and maximize enforcement time.
Reinstitute and encourage the practice of uniformed officers making “bar checks”, i.e., going inside the bars and clubs at random times to check for violations, particularly alcohol use or possession by minors or minors unlawfully being in a bar or club where alcohol is served, paying particular attention to the arrest, citation and removal of 18-20 year olds from such places.
Gather all police reports, redacted if necessary, regarding violent incidents, arrests and disturbance call logs at clubs and bars, including case and event numbers and FAX these to the local media outlets and post them on all online entertainment review websites such as “Yelp” and others.
Utilize billboard(s)and public service announcements on local radio and TV to publish, in box score format, the club names and number of violent incidents and arrests made at the various clubs on a monthly or quarterly basis.
Publish any connections or associations that any downtown clubs and entertainment venues might have to local council people or their families.
FOR CRISSAKES BEEF UP THE STAFFING LEVELS DOWNTOWN AND EVERYWHERE ELSE!