San Jose: Police department realigns districts to streamline patrol response

"The changes, which will be instituted Nov. 8, will also entail shifting patrol officers' responsibilities to whole districts over specific geographical zones. The goal, officials say, is to maintain continuity when officers are either absent or move out of patrol and take their institutional knowledge with them. The total number of patrol districts will also be reduced from 16 to 12, though districts that cover historically distinct areas like Little Saigon, Evergreen, Alviso, and the Rose Garden will be kept largely intact."

"Police are pledging that the redrawn districts will produce faster response times and fewer delayed calls, and more consistent police coverage across neighborhoods. Our goal is simple: better service for the public and better support for our officers, Police Chief Paul Joseph said in a statement. This new patrol structure allows us to respond more quickly, supervise more effectively, and stay connected to the communities we serve, without losing sight of what's always mattered."

"Response times have been a continual struggle for SJPD. A 2024-25 city audit report found that the citywide average response time for so-called Priority 1 calls involving imminent danger to life or major property loss was 8.1 minutes, 33% slower than the target time of 6 minutes. Priority 2 calls, which involve actual or potential injury or property damage, had a citywide average response time of 27.8 minutes, or more than two-and-a-half times slower than the target of 11 minutes."

San Jose will implement new patrol district boundaries on Nov. 8 and shift officers from specific geographical zones to responsibility for whole districts. The number of patrol districts will be reduced from 16 to 12 while preserving historically distinct neighborhoods such as Little Saigon, Evergreen, Alviso, and the Rose Garden. An interactive map of the planned changes is available on the city website. The redistricting aims to produce faster response times, fewer delayed calls, more consistent coverage, and better continuity when officers are absent or transfer out of patrol. City management describes the approach as data-driven.

Read at www.mercurynews.com