Smoking Ban in City Parks, Community Centers, and Libraries
In October 2007, the San Jose City Council amended an existing ordinance to prohibit smoking in public parks, community centers and libraries. This initiative was introduced by former Vice Mayor David Cortese and Councilmember Madison Nguyen.
Cities in California and around the nation, recognizing the negative effects of secondhand smoke, have adopted smoking prohibitions in city parks. San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Calabasas, Los Angeles, Belmont, San Diego, Oakland and now San Jose have extended their smoke free policies to include entire city parks.
New “No Smoking” signs have been posted at all City of San Jose public parks, community centers, and libraries. Park Rangers have also been educating the community on the new ordinance and will start citing violators July 2008.
Proposed Amendments to the City of San Jose’s Graffiti Abatement Ordinance
On September 30, 2009 the City Council’s Rules and Open Government Committee approved a measure proposed by Councilmember Madison Nguyen that will allow staff to study the feasibility of amending the City’s Graffiti Abatement Ordinance. Councilmember Nguyen’s proposal includes:
• Having minors found guilty of graffiti activity complete 24 hours of community service of cleaning up graffiti in the City of San Jose
• Parents will have to pay a fine of $500, when their children who are found guilty of graffiti vandalism do not complete the appropriate mandated community service
This measure aims to reduce the amount of graffiti in the City of San Jose as well as establish direct accountability and responsibility for juveniles committing graffiti activity. If they commit graffiti activities, they need to clean it up.
This proposal is because of the continued increase in graffiti activity in the City of San Jose from 2006 to present. From 2008 alone, there was a 38% increase in graffiti activity. It is time for the City of San Jose to take back our streets to make them clean, safe and secure.
City staff is currently working with Santa Clara County on this proposal and anticipates a full discussion at the City Council in June 2010.