Long story short…



Here’s what you need to know this week — in 30 seconds or less: 

• Sergeant Walsh was released…his shooter was, too
• Major League Volleyball is taking over Tech CU Arena

Dear Neighbor,

Happy Labor Day! Our economy is strong and productive because of the skills, ingenuity and tireless efforts of the U.S. workforce and I hope that everyone who contributes their labor to our community gets a well-deserved break with loved ones this holiday weekend.

Today I’m writing to you about a problem we’ve been grappling with for years. Probably centuries. Maybe throughout human history. 

How do we ensure that someone who commits a crime won’t do so again? 

How do we keep the community safe while giving people a chance to change and become contributing members of that community?

How do we design our carceral system to rehabilitate people rather than worsen their problems? 

This is a set of challenges that those of us serving at the municipal level have limited tools to address. Our police officers enforce existing laws, but we don’t control what happens on the other side of an arrest.

Our criminal justice system is sprawling and complex, involving laws and policies from the federal, state and local levels of government, plus the individual decisions of Judges, District Attorneys, Public Defenders, and other actors — so we bear a collective responsibility and, as voters, we have to better educate ourselves about this system and hold each actor accountable for doing their best.

One of the main problems, as I see it, is that we don’t have enough places (or the right places) for people to go, and we are often reluctant in California to require that people get the help that they need or demonstrate the rehabilitation we should expect.

Some repeat offenders are severely addicted to drugs like fentanyl that are 50x more potent than heroin was in the 1980s. Some have been stuck in psychosis for years without treatment. Some are born into broken homes or poverty, or both, and haven’t been able to overcome their challenges. Some simply choose a life of crime, perhaps because it’s where they feel belonging or accomplishment. 

All need intervention. 

Many need a treatment bed we may not have today. Others may refuse that bed. 

To make this concrete, I want to talk about two suspects who harmed our community this week.

Both had criminal histories. Both committed crime sprees. And if it were up to me, both would have still been behind bars or would have had to meet a much higher bar for proving that they were committed to change before being released.

One shot SJPD Sergeant Matt Walsh — who is thankfully still alive. A criminal history check revealed multiple convictions for a variety of violent crimes including robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, auto theft, narcotics and much more.

The other committed over 50 burglaries in the last 6 years. He was arrested in 2020 for 15 counts of theft, served two years, was released, re-arrested in 2023 for 21 counts, re-released in 2026, before we caught him red-handed once again. 

Catch, release, catch again, re-release. It’s an endless cycle. 

Some of the suspects our police officers encounter have created a life pattern around committing crime. And they become our most dangerous. We’ve had two officers shot this year in San José, and both suspects, including Anthony Chavez, had a long rap sheet. 

It’s cases like these where I have to ask myself, often when I’m at the hospital surrounded by the family of the injured officer, what is our mechanism for ensuring that rehabilitation occurs? 

How can judges see a criminal history like the ones associated with the suspects above and keep releasing them even when they violate the terms of their release? 

How do we balance freedom and the potential for personal growth with our need for safety? 

Prop 36’s new “treatment mandated felony” is one answer (if Sacramento would fund its implementation). But not everyone commits crime because they have a severe addiction. 

Often, mental health issues play a big role. That’s why I’ve been advocating so hard to strengthen our mental health system in California. To rebuild the system we tore down in a way that offers the help people need, and holds them accountable for accepting it. 

But I’ve also started to spend more time following the decisions our judges make. In some cases, we’ve sent interns to court to monitor and report back. And I have to say — some of our judges aren’t striking the balance that I think the community would expect. 

But the great thing is, we have the power to change that. Often, only one person runs for judge in each election. We need to demand better and we need to pay attention. The decision we make in the voting booth leads to real world results in our communities. And I for one will be paying attention this November and beyond — for the good of our officers, our residents, and our entire city. 

And beyond that, my team and I will be doing even more to shine a spotlight on breakdowns in our criminal justice and behavioral health systems, and advocate for specific changes. To start, we’re taking a group of city and county leaders to San Diego next month to see what’s working in a county that has used Prop 36 to compel more repeat offenders into treatment. We’ll also spend more time looking at how we can improve our carceral system to better rehabilitate and reintegrate those who serve time for crimes committed. 

I’m not satisfied with the status quo, and I know you aren’t either — but together we can demand more and move our various levels of government toward better solutions.

Sincerely,

Mayor Matt

A few months ago, we stood together at SAP Center to welcome professional women’s hockey to San José. This August we did it again — this time, we’re trading the ice for a volleyball court.

San José is quickly becoming the Bay Area’s premier home for women’s sports. We’ve watched Bay FC take the field at PayPal Park, welcomed the Golden State Valkyries to SAP Center, brought the PWHL to the Shark Tank, and now we are adding professional women’s volleyball to that incredible lineup.

And the timing could not be better, because volleyball is having a moment. Nearly half a million girls played high school volleyball across the country last year, making it the second-most popular girls’ high school sport by participation. And the 2025 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament became the most-consumed tournament in its history, with more than 1.3 billion minutes watched.

This is not a niche sport waiting to find an audience. The athletes are here. The fans are here. And now, the professional opportunities are catching up.

Major League Volleyball will grow to 12 teams in 2027, with Northern California competing in a new Western Conference as part of a 26-match season. And I love that San José gets to be part of building what comes next.

Because that is what our city does. We embrace new ideas, we give them room to grow, and we help turn them into something bigger. That is true in technology, it is true in business, and increasingly, it is true in professional sports.

The message the MLV shared when they launched was: “The Future Serves Here.” I think that describes San José pretty well.

Stay tuned for a team name coming later this month!

Young San Joséans have some of the best ideas for making our city better. If you’re 15–24 years old and have an idea to make San José cleaner, greener or more resilient, you can apply for $1,000–$5,000 through the San José Youth Climate Action Fund.

Projects can focus on clean energy, sustainable transportation, climate resilience and more. Applications are due September 30.

Let’s Do Lunch 

September 1st through September 30th, 2026 

This September, join Santana Row for Let‘s Do Lunch: a Taste The Row weekday dining event featuring $25 prix-fixe lunches at participating Santana Row restaurants. Discover new favorites, and learn more here.

September Viva CalleSJ: Into the Valley

Sunday, September 13th

South San José

Walk, bike, skate, and play! Into the Valley is a brand-new, 6-mile Open Streets route celebrating the communities, history, and natural beauty of South San José. This September, enjoy a car-free experience as you walk, bike, roll, and connect with neighbors while discovering local businesses. Discover the route here.

Andrea Bocelli 

Sunday, September 13th at 8:00 PM

SAP Center, 525 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113

On September 13th, Bocelli will grace the SAP stage for an unforgettable evening. Attendees can expect a captivating performance from the world-renowned tenor, showcasing his signature vocal artistry. Get your tickets here. 

Mid-Autumn Moon Festival: A Family Celebration

Sunday, September 26th from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Grand Century Mall, 1111 Story Road, San Jose, CA 95111

Join the Story Road Business Association for the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrating family and community. Enjoy music, performances, lanterns, games, food, and more! Bring this tradition to life with other San José families and learn more here. 

Let’s Put your Neighborhood on the Map!

Neighborhood leaders, scan the QR code to register your neighborhood and make sure you’re represented on the City’s map! Let’s keep connecting, building community, and making our neighborhoods stronger together. Save the Date: Neighborhood Conference — October 3!

More Childcare Options

After housing, childcare costs are one of the biggest financial burdens for working families. We need to make it easier to open small, neighborhood-based daycares all over our city, and last week at our City Council meeting, that’s exactly what we’ve directed city staff to do. Congratulations to Action Day Schools on your Blossom Hill location! We’re grateful for the care you’re providing to local families and for the role you’re playing in making our neighborhoods stronge

Silicon Valley Pride

Happy Pride, San José!

Restoring the Coyote Creek Community Garden

The Coyote Creek Community Garden had fallen into disrepair during the pandemic years. We’re changing that. Join us next time and learn more here.