TO:HONORABLE MAYOR AND FROM:Councilmember Omar Torres and Peter Ortiz
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: January 20, 2023
Approved
Date:01/20/23
SUBJECT: Firearm Regulation Audit Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Accept the Staff’s report with the following additions:
1. Ensure information for GVROs is multilingual on all outlets virtual and in person.
2. Seek to disseminate information regarding restraining information orders through advocacy groups like Next Door and YWCA. These collaborative relationships should aim to inform and educate their employees and clients.
3. Staff returns with a breakdown of the prevalence of each category of firearm-related incidents (aggravated assault, robbery, homicide, etc.) in each police district and city council district.
Background
Thank you to the office of the City Auditor for the audit report and recommendations as we navigate a very complex issue of harm reduction. Thank you staff for greenlighting the recommendations.
At the time when the rate of gun deaths between 2020 and 2021 hit the highest level since 1995, with more than 45,000 fatalities each year.1 San José continues to lead the way in innovation, community participation, and in this case public safety.
1 Mark Berman, Lenny Bernstein. “The Staggering Scope of U.S. Gun Deaths Goes Far beyond Mass Shootings.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 8 July 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/interactive/2022/gun- deaths-per-year-usa/.
COUNCIL AGENDA: 1/24/23
ITEM: 3.4
Much work has been done in harm reduction and we must ensure that those who feel unsafe have the information necessary to protect themselves by providing information on the GVROs process and requirements, it should be accessible virtually, in person, and in their own language. We look forward to further collaboration with our advocacy groups who provide support and guidance to many of our residents.
While comparing the Police District Map with their respective Council District Boundaries, 40 percent of firearm-related incidents were in districts C, L, P, and X, which are located in Council Districts 3, 5, 7, and 8. It is critical for East and Central San Jose to understand the type of Firearm-related crimes, as it could inform us on how we can implement the most effective strategies to combat these issues and bring safety back to our communities.