PETITION: OPPOSING THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA OFFER TO PURCHASE THE BERNAL/MONTEREY EMERGENCY INTERIM HOUSING FOR THE PURPOSE OF REFOCUSING THIS SITE INTO A JAIL DIVERSION FACILITY  

To: The City Council of San Jose, California

Petitioners: The undersigned residents and concerned citizens of the South San Jose.

Subject:  Bringing adults with a combination of criminalized behavior, mental illness and drug addiction is unsuitable for the South San Jose neighborhoods near schools & residential areas.

While a few community members have expressed discontent regarding the lack of timely notification of this proposal (i.e., 12 days before the City Council vote) as the central issue, this assertion fails to address the core issue at hand:  the overwhelming objection into refocusing the Bernal/Monterey site into a Jail Diversion facility, regardless of the notice period.  

Background:

• The County of Santa Clara has offered to purchase the Bernal/Monterey Emergency Interim Housing Site (6066 Monterey Road at the intersection of Bernal) from the City of San Jose, for the purpose of refocusing it into a jail diversion facility. The County’s proposal involves replacing the homeless residents of this site with individuals from collaborative courts – adults with criminal behaviors & underlying problems, including but not limited to mental illness, substance use disorders & schizophrenia, which they have mentioned, may lead to their criminalized behavior(s).                      
• During the County of Santa Clara zoom meeting held on August 15, 2024, it was disclosed that one of the beneficiaries of the Jail Diversion Program was a former gang member and a two-strike offender, who was undergoing treatment for long-standing addiction, depression, and schizophrenia. This individual is the case in point of the population that would be housed at the proposed facility.                                                                                                   
• The County of Santa Clara is comprised of 15 cities including the City of San Jose, as well as incorporated & unincorporated County land. The County should consider locating the Jail Diversion facility to house adults with criminal behavior and mental illness at a more suitable location, situated away from schools and residential areas. 

Supporting Arguments:

• Potential Disruptions to a Safe Learning Environment: Placing a facility that integrates jail diversion program participants near residential neighborhoods and schools i.e., (5 Elementary schools, 2 Preschools, 2 Middle Schools & among multiple daycares) poses potential significant risks to the safety and well-being of our children and families. The presence of individuals with criminalized behavior(s) with severe mental illness, substance abuse issues, near schools can lead to heightened anxiety among students and parents. Schools are sanctuaries for learning, and any disruption, whether perceived or actual, can undermine the educational environment and the sense of security that is crucial for our children to thrive.                                
• Increased Safety Risks: The potential risk of incidents involving violence, harassment, or other criminal activities may possibly be amplified when such facilities are in close proximity to residents. The City of San Jose has the responsibility to protect its youngest and most vulnerable residents. Furthermore, placing such a facility in this location would be contrary to that responsibility.                      
• Cumulative Impact on South San Jose: South San Jose has been subjected to inequitable & unfair distribution of Emergency Interim Housing (EIH’s) sites and is currently bearing the disproportionate burden of six EIH’s within a 1.7-mile radius. The proposed refocusing of the Bernal/Monterey site into a Jail Diversion facility presents a significant risk, as the cumulative impact of the existing EIH sites has already compromised the ability to maintain a stable and secure environment. The addition of this facility has the potential to cause further deterioration to the community quality of life. 

Impact Statement:

The undersigned petitioners assert that the proposed acquisition of the Bernal/Monterey site for a Jail Diversion facility will have a detrimental impact on the South San Jose community. The facility’s proximity to neighborhood schools and residential areas raises serious concerns regarding safety, security, and the preservation of a stable & safe environment for our children and other vulnerable populations. Moreover, the cumulative effect of concentrating multiple Emergency Interim Housing sites within this district is both inequitable and unsustainable, leading to an undue strain on community resources , including  Police & Fire services ,  as well as a degradation of the community’s overall quality of life.

Conclusion:

For the reasons stated above, we, the undersigned residents and concerned citizens of San Jose, respectfully request that the City Council of San Jose reject the county’s offer to purchase the Bernal/Monterey site .We vehemently urge the City Council to find other areas within the budget to cut and/or recoup the grant(s) offered by the County for this purchase, or consider alternative locations (perhaps on county land or in other cities) that do not place undue burdens on our community and prioritize the safety and well-being of our children and families

Signatories:  Izzac Khayo & John Powers

Please see attachments:

• Jail Diversion petition (English pdf)
• Inequitable distribution of EIH's in South San Jose
• County Of Santa Clara Presentation
• A communication to the City of San Jose & Santa Clara County leadership
• Video: Large Homeless Encampment across the street from Bernal/Monterey EIH site (9/19/2024)