Understaffed San Jose Police Department Pushes Back Against Call For Aid
SAN JOSE (KPIX 5) -- After complaining for years that they were understaffed and overworked, help could be on the way for the San Jose police department, if they're willing to accept it.
"It's simply the right time to ask for help. You're not going to rebuild the police department for over a decade. And in the meantime, residents shouldn't have to suffer from that," San Jose City Councilman Pierluigi Oliverio said.
Oliverio says the department is stretched dangerously thin, with just 812 street-ready officers.
He wants to ask the sheriff's office and the California Highway Patrol for help.
But, Police Chief Eddie Garcia opposes the idea.
He wrote the city council a letter saying he's concerned that asking for outside help would have a detrimental effect on morale, and recruiting efforts.
Some citizens however, see it differently.
"I think it's kind of surprising. They all take the same oath to serve and protect. And i think if they're understaffed and they need help, they should take it," San Jose resident Reno Ralston-Foster said.
What's less clear is if the sheriff's office or CHP has either the interest or ability to help out in the first place.
Officially, the CHP had no comment, but the sheriff's office released a statement saying it, "Remains focused on protecting public safety in the current communities it serves."
"At the end of the day, the council is a representative of the people. And they have to do what the residents want. And, I think the residents want law enforcement," Oliverio said.