Several mayors, deputy mayors, and community leaders in the South Bay area held a press conference on January 14th, outside Westfield Valley Fair shopping center, to strongly condemn the recent wave of smash-and-grab crimes and urge the state government to immediately allocate funding and implement Proposition 36 to curb organized retail crime and restore public safety.
Inside Valley Fair shopping center, the jewelry department of Macy’s was once again targeted in a smash-and-grab on January 11th. San Jose police reported that around 1 pm that day, three suspects wearing ski masks and wielding sledgehammers stormed into Macy’s, smashed display cases, attempted to steal expensive watches, and fled the scene.
This incident occurred just about six weeks after a gang-related shooting incident inside the shopping center on Black Friday, reigniting high community concerns about public safety.
San Jose Mayor, Han Ma, expressed that California residents have grown tired of violent robberies. “We know that the San Jose police will apprehend the criminals, but we don’t know if these offenders will actually end up in prison.” He emphasized that California should not sacrifice public safety to fill budget deficits, and voters need to clearly see that criminal behavior will have consequences.
“This may mean undergoing drug treatment, being sent to a mental health facility for a period of care, or possibly serving jail time,” Ma said. “Our responsibility is to bring real safety to the community, rather than bowing down to those tightly organized interest groups in Sacramento.”
He pointed out that there is still no concrete commitment to implement Proposition 36 and SB 43, public safety and behavioral health policies, in the 2026-2027 state budget draft.
Linh Vu, the niece of Kim Hung Jewelry store owner, also spoke at the event, recalling her uncle’s experience of being pushed down by robbers in the shop months ago.
She stated, “Such incidents are completely unacceptable, and I don’t want to see any similar events in San Jose again. We don’t need more anger, we need you to step up and take action now.”
Milpitas Mayor, Carmen Montano, said: “The crux of all this is accountability.” She noted that action speaks louder than words, and real reform depends on whether the government is willing to invest resources in public safety.
Cupertino Mayor, Kitty Moore, stated that the Valley Fair smash-and-grab case serves as a reminder to all that public safety is a shared responsibility in the entire area, and everyday shopping could quickly turn into a violent incident, which is unacceptable and should not become the norm.
Fremont Deputy Mayor, Yang Shao, bluntly stated that the state government’s long-term failure to allocate sufficient resources in the budget to implement Proposition 36 is, to some extent, tantamount to condoning crime. He urged the state legislature to pressure the governor during the review of the new fiscal year budget to ensure funding for law enforcement.
Several community advocates also called on Governor Newsom to respect the will of the voters. Wendy Huang, candidate for the 14th congressional district, remarked that public safety transcends political parties, ethnicities, or positions; it is the shared responsibility of everyone. Crime does not discriminate, and only through community unity can residents’ safety, freedom, and privacy be safeguarded. Accountability is not a political fight but a fundamental responsibility of the government.
Brenda Grisham, running for mayor of Oakland, emphasized that public safety is the top priority for all cities, and the government should not repeatedly ask the governor for funding; the safety of residents and businesses should inherently be protected.
Daniel Chung, candidate for local prosecutor in Santa Clara County, stated that the government’s primary responsibility is to protect the lives, freedoms, and properties of the people. Tuan Ngo, founder of Asians United, emphasized, “Laws without funds for implementation are just empty promises.”
Edward Escobar, founder of the event’s organizer “Community Engagement Alliance,” stressed that the current breakdown of law and order is not just about stolen goods but also about the people’s sense of security being taken away.
He emphasized that Proposition 36 is not an option but a law and the clear will of the people; Governor Newsom must immediately allocate full funding to support the proposition, or else make way for a leader truly willing to take action. ◇