Community Concerned: Short-staffed SJPD dealing with 35 homicides this year
On Wednesday, community and faith leaders gathered at San Jose Police Headquarters to pray for a city, that's seen a record number of homicides this year, and for officer safety. The service comes one day after the city council approved an emergency plan to shift officers to patrol given unprecedented police staffing levels.
Outside headquarters, a group of community members held hands remembering the 35 lives lost this year to senseless violence in San Jose.
"It's scary, it's scary," said Jennifer Mullen of San Jose. "My husband and I see it on the news. We look at each other and we get tears in our eyes."
The city's official homicide count is five more than all of last year. Police said, more than half of them, 19 remain unsolved.
Kathleen Flynn is an advocate for families of victims of homicides. She organized the service, saying rising crime comes at the worst time.
"One of the the things I'm concerned about with the police shortage, staffing shortage is that criminals are a lot more active because they know there are not enough officers on the streets," said Flynn.
Next month, 47 officers and detectives in specialized units will be reassigned to street patrol. It's part of a city emergency declaration, a move the chief calls necessary to meet minimum staffing levels to respond to basic 911 calls.
"I pray for these officers every day that they will be safe," said Katherine Decker, mother of slain Officer Michael Johnson.
Decker was at the service. Her son was shot and killed by a mentally-ill, suicidal man in March of last year. She said, her son often voiced his concerns about his safety, given the stretched thin department.
"It's a tragedy we have to have more officers," said Decker. "What's going to happen, pulling those other officers back into patrol, it's going to create a backlog on all their filing."
"It is one of the most difficult times in my 27 years yes," said Lt. Chan. "It is one of the most difficult times."
Lt. Chan admits, he's fatigued. He appreciates community gatherings like this one, grateful for the support.
"We have a small amount of officers that carry the same amount of work," said Lt. Chan. "In that sense the load is a lot heavier."
Some of the community members said given the police staffing levels, now is the time for residents to be more vigilant and band together as the department looks to rebuild.