By Robert Haugh
Santa Clara ended its citywide curfew yesterday (June 2) afternoon. It was in effect only two days from May 31, 8:30 p.m. to June 1, 5 a.m.
According to Santa Clara City staff, two local businesses experienced vandalism Monday night. We received reports that BevMo, CVS and Walgreens near Winchester and Stevens Creek were the target of looters.
City staff said in a press release that “the threat of larger-scale looting throughout Santa Clara can now be managed through regular police authority.”
But in neighboring San Jose, their citywide curfew continues until 5 a.m. on Thursday, June 4.
A lot of residents aren’t happy about the longer curfew. There are many negative comments on Nextdoor. Residents believe that Mayor Sam Liccardo and the San Jose City Council panicked and overreacted.
There were complaints at a San Jose City Council meeting yesterday. About a dozen residents tuned in to suggest their city follow Santa Clara’s lead according to a press report.
Many San Joseans believe that the curfew is stifling free speech rights and criminalizing innocent residents who need to move around the City in the evenings.
Editor’s Note: We updated the date and time San Jose’s curfew ends slightly after originally publishing.
I back our city’s actions to protect our residents and businesses that are trying to recover from covid. Peaceful protest can be done when the sun is out or not near businesses or residents. With the numbers of criminals taking over protests I feel these actions are necessary as peaceful assembly is a right, not rioting and looting.
I also support and appreciate our SCPD.
Thanks for the laugh!
If there was ever a time to have no downtown this is it apparently.