Increased homicide rate attributed to declining public service staffing levels

On December 21, 2012, a man suffering from multiple stab wounds was located in a parking lot near the 1600 block of Oakland Road near Brokaw Road in North San Jose.  The man later died at the hospital from his injuries. Responding officers found the victim in the parking lot suffering from multiple stab wounds around 3:00 a.m. Friday morning.  This marks the City of San Jose’s 45th homicide this year.

San Jose's 45th homicide took place outside this office park

With the number of officers retiring or leaving SJPD, the number of homicides is expected to reach the same levels in 2013.  The community has been left with the question of what can be done about the increasing violence as the SJPD Police Chief Christopher Moore is retiring in January, and San Jose Assistant Chief Richelle Goede has been selected as Piedmont’s new police chief.

The City of San Jose has found it very difficult to replace sworn officers who have 20-plus-years experience.  According to city officials, shrinking budgets and decreased staffing levels has made it difficult to support needed staffing levels.  Other causes and effects leading to an increased homicide rate is attributed to attrition, lay-offs, and experienced patrol officers seeking retirement.

Michelle McGurk, the Press Information Officer for the City of San Jose Mayor’s office said, “The city budget for the Mayor’s gang prevention task force had not changed for a long time.”  McGurk said, “It had been static.” With a 115.1 million-dollar shortfall, the challenge has been to protect the community in areas becoming increasingly susceptible to gang activity.  “City wide the gang prevention task force budget was cut but has never ran lower than 2007 budget levels,” McGurk said.

“The Mayor’s gang Prevention task force is at full funding, and has experienced no cuts this year.” McGurk said.  “Because of the increase in size of the department over time, the size of the department’s sworn personal and civilians has increased from 1087 – 1511,” “Expenditures have gone up but the cost has still not enough to cover all the officers.” McGurk said.

Read More:

Mercury News: San Jose: Man stabbed during office party in city’s 45th homicide of 2012

NBC Bay Area: Man Fatally Stabbed in San Jose, 45th Homicide

Silicon Valley De-Bug: Budget Cuts are Not Only Eliminating Jobs, They Are Leaving our Youth Hanging