Latest news with #PaulJoseph
CBS News
5 days ago
- CBS News
San Jose police chief uses AI to assure residents the department does not enforce immigration laws
San Jose's police chief released a video on Tuesday that uses artificial intelligence to convert his voice into Spanish in a message to residents that the department does not enforce immigration laws. In the video, Chief Paul Joseph emphasizes that San Jose police officers do not enforce federal immigration laws, will not ask about a person's immigration status, and that everyone can report crimes without fear of immigration consequences. Joseph said in a press conference on Tuesday that having AI translate his voice into Spanish was an idea the department's media relations unit came up with. They said, 'Hey, this may be a great way to communicate to our community in a manner that will make them receive the message more clearly and in a way that's more comfortable for them to hear,'" said Joseph. "So, it's an innovative use of AI technology and we're hopeful that it's well received." Some local law enforcement agencies and jurisdictions limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities to build trust with immigrant communities. Joseph said he believes some community members are afraid to report crime over concerns of immigration enforcement. He added that the department has seen a decrease in reports of domestic violence and sexual assault over the past six months, although the reasons are not clear. "It is concerning to us that if people are afraid that contacting the police when they are the victims of a crime could lead to them being deported, perhaps they would not," said Joseph. "We're never going to stop trying to build that trust and strengthen our relationship with the community, so if this helps people to feel that, when they need our help, they can call us, then it's all worth it, it's all worth the experiment." Some members of the community, like immigration organizer Laurie Valdez with Silicon Valley De-Bug, question why a native Spanish-speaking human within the department couldn't have delivered the same message. "If he couldn't speak it, he should have got one of his officers who can speak it, speak it, not use AI," said Valdez. "That's like, that's like a joke to me. That's just like a slap in the face for the Latino community." Valdez added that while the message matters more than ever, how it's delivered carries more weight. "You can't police community [that] you can't even communicate with," said Valdez. "And you can't say you care about them if you're using AI, and other things could come from that." Joseph said it was important that residents hear the message from the police chief directly, and that if the message is well received, future messages could be translated by AI into other languages. "This is exactly the kind of innovation we should be leading with," said Mayor Matt Mahan in a prepared statement. "Using AI to break down language barriers and connect directly with our residents is a smart, compassionate use of technology. I want to thank the San Jose Police Department for making sure every San José family, no matter what language they speak, knows they can trust and rely on their police department."
CBS News
01-07-2025
- CBS News
Repeat drug offenders banned from San Jose's St. James Park with court injunction
Drug dealers who are known to frequent St. James Park in downtown San Jose will be arrested if they're seen at or near the park following a court injunction, authorities said Tuesday. The San Jose Mayor's Office said the injunction filed by the City Attorney's Office and granted on April 29 says repeat drug offenders loitering within 100 yards of the park will get thrown in jail. St. James Park has been a centerpiece of the city's downtown area since the 1800s, but in recent years it has seen rampant drug dealing, crime, blight, and homelessness. "We won't tolerate public drug sales or use in San Jose," said San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan in a prepared statement. "Public spaces like our historic St. James Park must be kept open and accessible for the entire public to enjoy. I want to thank City Attorney [Nora] Frimann for ensuring we use every tool at our disposal to keep drug dealers out of the Park and invite the rest of the community in." The court's temporary restraining order against the repeat drug offenders is in effect until April of 2027. "I am hopeful that this novel approach will bolster our efforts to make St. James Park a safe and clean space to be enjoyed by all San Jose residents," said Police Chief Paul Joseph in a statement. The Mayor's Office said that if the court injunction is successful, the strategy could be considered for other areas of the city plagued by drug dealing, which then become havens for homeless residents suffering from addiction and mental health issues. The city also has plans to revitalize and reimagine St. James Park as a vibrant public space and venue for free concerts. The city spent 10 years and $4.6 million to develop the park's redesign with a music pavilion as the centerpiece. Last year, the plans were halted after a court found the redesign ran afoul of the city's historic preservation law. The city plans to amend the ordinance and move ahead with the project, with Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Director Jon Cicirelli telling the Bay Area News Group in February that he expects construction to begin in the first quarter of 2026.
CBS News
20-05-2025
- CBS News
San Jose businesses cited for buying "stolen" copper wire in police sting operation
Scrap metal recyclers have been targeted in undercover sting operations in San Jose, resulting in criminal citations last month, police said Monday. Detectives with the Police Department's vice unit conducted the operations at several recycling centers in the city following an increase in copper wire thefts, police said in a press release. Undercover officers visited the metal recyclers with spools of copper wire, electronic components, and metal items to sell as "stolen" property, with the help of the department's financial crimes unit and the city's Department of Transportation, police said. After visiting multiple businesses in the city, police cited three businesses for crimes related to buying, receiving, or possessing stolen property. Two businesses each received two criminal citations on April 9, and a third business received two criminal citations on April 29. "If you do business in San José, you have to follow the law," said Police Chief Paul Joseph in a prepared statement. "We will not tolerate crime, whether you are the one stealing the copper wire or purchasing it with the intention of making a dime off of victims." "Copper wire theft literally leaves our neighborhoods in the dark, threatens public safety, and drains resources," said Mayor Matt Mahan in a statement. "We are sending a clear message: If you profit off stolen property, you are part of the problem-and you will be held accountable. "
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Teen arrested for gang-motivated vandalism in San Jose
SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Jose police have arrested a teenager for gang-motivated vandalism, officials announced Friday. The teenager wasn't identified due to age, but police said he is 17. Police said their gang investigations unit detectives began looking into a string of gang-motivated vandalism throughout the city on April 7 and repeatedly came across vandalism with the same graffiti moniker, "GIZMO." Concerned residents also reported vandalism with the same "GIZMO" tag from April 4 through April 22. On Saturday, San Jose police officers found the teen suspect and arrested him. He was booked in the Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall, and during a search of his car, authorities found gang indicia and evidence tying him to the crime, police said. What they're saying "Once again our Gang Investigations Unit has shown that proactive police work, combined with community partnerships, can take down vandals who incite fear in our neighborhoods," San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph said. "Our residents deserve to live in safe and clean communities, not ones shadowed by threats of gang violence." San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan echoed the sentiment, saying the community will be cleaner and that the teen suspect will have the chance "to make better choices." "SJPD Gang Investigations Unit continues to show that if you deface San José, you will be held accountable and you will have an opportunity to make amends by beautifying our city." "Thank you to our residents for promptly reporting the graffiti through the City of San José 3-1-1 app and for their courageous act of sharing this information during community meetings," San José City Manager Jennifer Maguire said. "This collaborative effort, between the community and the San José Police Department's diligent work and responsive actions, reflects the shared commitment to maintaining safe, clean and welcoming neighborhoods for all." Dig deeper Last month, two men were arrested for graffiti tagging in San Jose, including a 20-year-old tied to nearly 70 different vandalism incidents. The second suspect was a 19-year-old and was charged with gang-motivated felony vandalism. Anyone with information about vandalism cases using the moniker "GIZMO" is asked to contact Det. Minkel with the San Jose Police Department Gang investigation Unit at 5003@ or at (408) 277-3835. Anonymous reporting is available. The Source San Jose Police Department
CBS News
07-05-2025
- CBS News
Man accused of stabbing San Jose police officer facing attempted murder charges
A man suspected of stabbing a San Jose police officer during a confrontation Tuesday morning is facing multiple charges, including attempted murder, police said. In an update Wednesday, police released additional details about the incident, which stemmed from a disturbance at the Target store on the 500 block of Coleman Avenue around 9:50 a.m. Police said a caller told officers that an intoxicated male suspect armed with a machete pointed the weapon at security. He dropped the machete as he fled the scene. When the first officer arrived in the area, police said the suspect brandished another knife before fleeing across Autumn Parkway into an open field. Two other officers pursued the suspect on foot. During the pursuit, the officers attempted to take the suspect into the custody after he slipped and fell. The suspect then stabbed one of the officers in the upper arm. Police said the suspect continued to resist arrest but was eventually disarmed following what was described as a "significant struggle." The injured officer was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries that were not life-threatening. Police said the officer, who has about 2.5 years of experience, underwent surgery. "Every day, our officers put themselves in harm's way to protect others. This violent attack is a stark reminder of that reality," police chief Paul Joseph said in a statement. "We're grateful our injured officer is expected to recover, and thankful he was able to intervene before anyone else was harmed." The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Eli Scott, was treated at a local hospital. After being released from the hospital, he was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder of two police officers, violently resisting arrest, assault with a deadly weapon and brandishing a weapon. Police said Scott had an "extensive criminal history." Eli Scott, who is suspected of stabbing a San Jose police officer during a confrontation on May 6, 2025. San Jose Police Department "It is horrifying to imagine walking into a Target and running into a man with a machete," Mayor Matt Mahan said about the incident. "Because of the dangerous actions of someone who clearly needed to be behind bars or in secure treatment, a San Jose police officer is in the hospital instead of on patrol." The mayor went on to say, "As I pray for his swift recovery, I'm asking: how many more first responders need to be injured before our county and state expand the mental health and addiction treatment facilities we need?" According to jail records, Scott is being held without bail. His next court appearances are scheduled for Wednesday afternoon and Thursday. Anyone with additional information about the case is asked to contact Detective MacInnes of the department's Assault Unit over email or by calling 408-277-4161.
