SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) — Mayors of several South Bay cities, along with community and business leaders, gathered for a news conference Wednesday outside Valley Fair mall in San Jose.
Over the weekend, the Macy’s at Valley Fair was the site of another smash-and-grab robbery.
The incident is one of several high-profile retail crimes in shops around the South Bay in recent months.
“Small businesses are the (back) bone of the economy in California. I’m asking the government what can you do? I’m asking Mr. Gavin Newsom, what do you do?” said Linh Vu.
Vu’s 88-year-old uncle was assaulted during a robbery at his jewelry store in the fall.
VIDEO: Shoppers on alert after Valley Fair Macy’s smash-and-grab, 2nd major crime at mall in recent weeks
Vu says, while her uncle has recovered physically, the mental trauma remains.
“He will never come back to the store again because of the horror that’s still in his head. He cannot,” she said.
During Wednesday’s news conference, all of the speakers talked about the need to crack down on these types of crimes.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan says voters need to feel that criminals are being held responsible.
“That might be accountability for drug treatment. That might mean sending someone who needs it to a mental health facility for a period of time. It may mean some jail time,” said Mahan.
VIDEO: 88-year-old store owner assaulted during brazen smash-and-grab heist in San Jose
The 88-year-old store owner suffered a stroke and was also cut by broken glass after the assault, according to sources. No arrests have been made.
According to those here, one way that accountability should come is through the complete implementation of Proposition 36- a law that increases penalties for certain drug crimes and thefts.
Even though Prop. 36 was passed by California voters during the November 2024 election, many of the folks at Wednesday’s new conference say it isn’t being funded properly.
That’s an issue they want Sacramento address as soon as possible.
“Our job is to deliver outcomes for our communities. Not to give in to what the highly organized interest groups in Sacramento want,” said Mahan.
San Jose police are asking anyone with information about the Macy’s incident to contact them.
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