Policy Updates

Progress on Fireworks Prevention & Drone Pilot Launch - Summer 2025

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible work being done by our Fire Department, Police Department, City Attorney’s Office, Code Enforcement, and other City staff to improve public safety and enforcement efforts in our community. One of the most innovative initiatives underway is the launch of a drone pilot program aimed at addressing the persistent issue of illegal fireworks—particularly during high-risk times like the Fourth of July.

For months, my District 7 team has worked closely with the All District Leadership Group, Code Enforcement from the City of Elk Grove, and our own City staff to understand how best to implement this pilot program. By using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones, we can observe and respond to illegal fireworks activity in real time. This approach not only helps gather crucial intelligence and video evidence but also supports future enforcement actions, such as issuing citations through the Social Host Ordinance to hold property owners accountable.

This forward-thinking initiative is a powerful tool for enhancing public safety, reducing fire hazards, and preventing injuries, all while minimizing disruption to the community. With the collaboration of various departments, we’re able to use this technology to protect the safety of our officers and the public in a smart, efficient, and effective way.

On February 20, 2025 the Public Safety and Finance Strategic Support Committee voted unanimously to accept the report and officially launch the pilot program. As we prepare for the upcoming Fourth of July, I am confident that this program will lay the groundwork for continued success in reducing illegal fireworks and improving safety in our neighborhoods. I’d like to thank all the staff and partners involved in this important work.

RVLording Ordinance Initiative

Exciting news for San José! The District 7-led ordinance is taking strong action to tackle the growing issue of "vanlording" in our City. The memorandum requests that the City Manager, in collaboration with key departments, will work on a comprehensive report to curtail the renting and leasing of RVs on public streets as well as potential new ordinances. This initiative is set to improve safety, curb exploitation, and ensure better living conditions for vulnerable residents. The proposed ordinance will include exploring new restrictions on RV sales, trades, and auctions, as well as enhanced enforcement to protect tenants and the community. The proposal is set to come to the Rules and Open Government Committee on March 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM. With support from Mayor Matt Mahan, Councilmember David Cohen and Councilmember Michael Mulcahy, all signing on, the City is taking an important first step towards making San José a safer, more sustainable housing environment for all. My team will update after the vote.

UPDATE - the Rules and Open Government Committee voted to push this item forward. The City Manager will report back to the full City Council, cost implications, during the budget study sessions beginning in May. We are excited to see this work move forward during the budget process.

Mayor's March Budget Message

Together with my colleagues, Councilmembers Casey, Mulcahy, Salas, and Campos we championed for issues facing our districts and for inclusion within the Mayor's March Budget Message.

Since day one, I’ve advocated for Pre-Engineered Modular Structures (PEMS)—a faster, more cost-effective way to provide shelter, hygiene facilities, healthcare access, and support services for our unhoused neighbors. These structures can be built quickly, at a fraction of the cost of traditional shelters, and offer immediate relief from life on the streets.

To put it in perspective:

• Permanent Supportive Housing can cost up to $1.4 million per bed

• Emergency Interim Housing is around $232,000 per bed

• PEMS? Just $16,000 per bed

That’s a potential savings of over 98%, which means we can help more people, faster, while stretching our limited resources further.

While the City of San José has stepped up in big ways, the County must also do its part. No new shelters have been built here since the 1990s, and the mental health crisis continues to grow due to a lack of County support and accountability. Mismanagement of vital resources like Prop 1 funds has only made the situation worse.

We don’t need more studies or committees—we need action.

Now is the time to focus on real, tangible progress. With smart, scalable solutions like PEMS and true collaboration between the City and County, we can bring safety, stability, and dignity to every member of our community. I am grateful to my colleagues and to the Mayor for incorporating PEMS into the March Budget Message, and greatly anticipate its success here in San José.

Bringing Back Med30

We're thrilled to share a proposal to bring back Med 30, a beloved and essential part of our San José Fire Department! This specialized unit was once the busiest EMS resource in the City, playing a key role in emergency scenes—from coordinating medical response to supporting families impacted by crises. Thanks to a new First Responder Fee program, we have an opportunity to restore Med 30 and boost our city's emergency response—keeping our neighborhoods safer and more resilient. This is a big step toward putting community safety first! For more information on this proposal refer to item 4.1 on the 3.25.25 City Council meeting.

Lifting Up Vietnamese-American Voices in the Digital World

On April 23rd, the Rules and Open Government Committee will consider an important resolution affirming San José’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity and cultural representation. This resolution calls for the recognition of the Heritage and Freedom Flag of the Republic of Vietnam—the iconic yellow flag with three red stripes—as an official emoji, honoring the history, resilience, and identity of our Vietnamese-American community. For many Vietnamese refugees and their families, this flag is a powerful symbol of freedom, democracy, and remembrance. As emojis become a central part of digital communication, it’s time the diversity of our communities is reflected there too.

Item 5.1

In 2020, the City Council adopted the Vision Zero Action Plan to reduce and eventually eliminate traffic fatalities in San Jose. The 2025 plan builds on this by focusing on five key areas: equity, data analytics, traffic enforcement, safety engineering, and community engagement. The goal is to reduce traffic deaths and severe injuries by 30% by 2030, and eliminate them entirely by 2040. The City is investing $80 million into redesigns and improvements, with $4 million already spent on improvements for streets with the highest crash rates. This plan has clear, achievable goals, and I’m excited to see it come to life after years of work on the task force. 

Item 3.3

We’ve made significant progress in supporting those with mental health challenges, particularly with the launch of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This service provides critical support to individuals in crisis. Recently, City Council discussed expanding alternative response programs for 911 calls and explored additional funding sources, such as the Opioid Settlement Funds. We are working closely with the County to ensure 911 calls related to mental health are directed to 988. Continued funding and collaboration are essential to ensure the success and growth of this life-saving program. We will keep advocating for the resources needed to sustain and improve it.

Item 7.2

Shopping carts are a major source of blight in our community, often left discarded or used to transport items to encampments. To address this, Mayor Mahan and several Councilmembers, including myself, proposed a plan to tackle the issue. We directed the City Manager to create an agreement for shopping cart retrieval services, integrate this with SJ311, and establish a process for removing carts from creeks and trails. We also aim to strengthen laws around cart theft and hold businesses accountable for preventing cart loss. Our goal is to improve cleanliness and make it clear that stealing shopping carts is a crime.