Dear Neighbor,

Happy Father’s Day, San Jose! 

The best gift I got this week didn’t come from my kids (although I loved the art they brought home from summer camp!) – but it will help my kids and future generations of San Joseans. Our entire Council voted to approve a budget that makes the most significant investment in ending unsheltered homelessness in the history of our city.

All in all, between Safe Sleeping Sites, affordable housing units, motel/hotel conversions, our proven tiny home communities and more, our investments will take at least 1,500 people off of our streets and out of our creeks. That’s more than 25% of the estimated 4,500 people living unsheltered in our community. 

This is something I’ve pushed for since before I took office – a serious commitment to treating unsheltered homelessness like the crisis it is. A focus on getting people out of unsafe, unmanaged conditions and onto something better in a faster, more cost-effective way.

And thanks to all of you, we’ve taken the first step. We’ve got a plan that will meet the demands of the Regional Water Board and save our stormwater permit. We’ve also invested in police staffing, additional blight clean up and enforcement action, support for small businesses, incentives for AI startups, and even advance planning for the 2026 Super Bowl and World Cup matches that are coming to our community.

Now, it’s time to deliver. 

Over the next year, we have work to do. Work to get our homeless neighbors indoors. Work to make our city safer. Work to clean up our city. I hope you join us. You can sign up for one of our weekly clean ups right here and stay tuned for how else you can support our push to make San Jose work for everyone as we build out public dashboards and hold City Hall accountable for delivering results.

Sincerely,

Mayor Matt

P.S. If you would like to dig into the details of our budget, you can read my March Budget Message, June Budget Message, and the City Manager’s key budget documents. 

Welcome home, Officer! 

Officer Arredondo saved a mother and her children from domestic violence last month, sacrificing his own safety to protect the community. 5 weeks and 3 surgeries later, he’s on the road to recovery. Let’s keep him in our thoughts and prayers as he heals and returns to service. Thanks SJPD for all you do — we are grateful.

Last month, we made a common-sense move to make San Jose safer. We relocated part of our Field Training Officer (FTO) Program, a model developed by San Jose that has been replicated worldwide, to the heart of our city. Downtown now has 24 extra sets of eyes on the streets. 

Our 24 recent academy graduates will be shadowing active officers on their patrols for field training – giving our rookies better training opportunities and giving downtown residents and businesses greater peace of mind. These officers will be patrolling several days a week, 24/7 – responding to crime, proactively engaging as they see criminal activity and learning the rules and ropes of the job. 

Our FTO program was developed in the 1970s here in San Jose in response to tragedy. Before then, new officers received little formal on-the-job training. One morning, a well-liked but inexperienced officer was responding to a non-emergency call. Like many young people, he was moving too fast. But unlike many young people, he had the responsibility of protecting the community on his shoulders. 

The young officer ran a red light at a major intersection, collided with another vehicle and killed a young passenger. He failed that day. And it was because he didn’t have the training he needed to succeed. 

This event changed the nature of policing forever. It changed how we view training and created a system resulting in better, more prepared officers that are held to a higher standard of conduct worldwide. This program was first highlighted by the state of California as the “San Jose Model” and later implemented nationally and globally to help prepare people for one of the most essential jobs there is – keeping communities safe. 

Now, in the spirit of innovation that defines Silicon Valley, we’re iterating on what’s working to create something even better. Make sure to say hello to our Field Training Officers and rookies next time you come downtown!

It’s a party! Downtown San Jose is back and better than ever. 

Last year, we helped launch downtown Block Parties for all to enjoy. This year, they’re back and better than ever – and in good company! We have programming from different organizations, companies and even meme pages all summer long. 

SJFoos had their inaugural festival, bringing world class talents, residents and travelers from far and wide to our very own Discovery Meadow. 

San Jose’s pandemic recovery has been driven by what we’re calling the Experience Economy – a desire for connection and contact with others that is fulfilled by downtown concerts, restaurants, performances, parks, and other unique experiences. 

Come downtown and see for yourself next week at our second Block Party of the summer! We’ll have food, live music, over 40 local vendors, and more Downtown San Jose fun along our S. 1st Street theater district. Learn more here.

Juneteenth Community Celebration

Wednesday, June 19th at 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Children’s Discovery Museum, 180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA 95110

Celebrate Juneteenth with the Children’s Discovery Museum and the Silicon Valley African Film Festival! Watch screenings of short animated films, participate in a traditional African drumming workshop, and even make your own drum to practice at home! Learn more here.

Creek Clean-Up with Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful

Saturday, June 22nd at 9:00 AM

625 Wool Creek Drive, San Jose, CA 95112

We’re working every day to create a safer, cleaner San Jose — but we need your help to do it! Roll up your sleeves with Team Mahan and Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful, and help us restore one of San Jose’s waterways to its former beauty. RSVP here.

Snack with Matt at Vito’s Pizza

Tuesday, June 25th at 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

Vito’s Pizza, 1040 S White Road, San Jose, CA 95127

Join me and Councilmember Ortiz for our next Snack with Matt town hall at Vito’s Pizza. We’ll enjoy a slice (or a few slices!) together while discussing the issues that matter most to our community. Learn more and RSVP here: qrco.de/snackwithMATT 

Sharks NHL Draft Party

Friday, June 28th at 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

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

Join the Teal Takeover! For the first time ever, the San Jose Sharks hold the #1 overall pick in the Draft, and they're throwing a huge party to celebrate! Mingle with Sharks alums, enjoy family-friendly activities and exclusive Draft merch, and cheer on the future of the team as the draft unfolds live on the scoreboard. Free parking is available at the SAP Center’s Lot ABC. Get your free tickets here.

The streets live! Happy Viva Calle, San Jose. Excited to announce that thanks to higher than projected revenues, we’ve added one more Viva Calle and 25 more Viva Parks to the budget next year!

As of last Sunday, San Jose has 27 new firefighters on the job! It was an honor to speak at their graduation ceremony and thank some of the people who are now responsible for keeping all of us safe. I emphasized how San Jose’s diversity and ingenuity makes us special, and encouraged graduates to immerse themselves in our city culture and community as public servants. Thank you SJFD for everything you do.