San Jose

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo Promises in State of the City Address to Bolster City Police Department's Staffing

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo is making police department staffing a priority in the coming year.

During his State of the City address Saturday, he reviewed steps he has taken on his two biggest goals: improving public safety, and broadening opportunity.

Liccardo also outlined his next moves.

"In the weeks ahead, you’ll see new initiatives to recruit former officers, new recruits and veterans," he said. "Even if we do everything right, though, restoring staffing will take several years so we need to focus on ways to make San Jose safer in the meantime."

The mayor also plans to beef up fire department staffing and putting more "community service officers" on the streets.

Other highlights of the speech included a call for innovative ways to improve city services, the announcement of a jobs program for at-risk teens, an ambitious plan to fight homelessness, and a goal to control rents and increase the minimum wage.

Several city employees were honored at the event, including police officer Michael Johnson, who was killed on the job last year.

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