The Palo Alto Police Department Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred Monday afternoon at the Stanford Mall, where an unknown suspect in a vehicle fired at least one round at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse. No one was hit by the bullets.
Authorities reported that the scene is secure and many officers are present to ensure public safety. Initial information indicates that the suspect fired a handgun from a moving vehicle and the motive or target of the shooting is unknown.
Officers closed the 100 block of El Camino Real in both directions while the scene was processed for evidence.
An initial report indicated that someone may have been seen carrying a gun holster inside the mall after the shots were fired. However, no one reported seeing a gun pointed or displayed.
Photo: Gerardo Herrera P360P
There were no lockdowns ordered by police as a result of this incident. Officers have searched the entire mall. There are still several officers remaining on the scene to ensure public safety.
Officers located evidence on El Camino Real to indicate that at least two shots were fired from there, and a witness reported seeing the suspect flee that area in a black Chevrolet Camaro northbound on El Camino Real, authorities said.
Police said the front window of Fleming's Prime Steakhouse was hit by a single bullet. Officers also found an unoccupied parked vehicle nearby that was also hit by another bullet.
Photo: Palo Alto Police Department
By 6:45 p.m., the 100 block of El Camino Real reopened to traffic in both directions.
Local police stressed that any relevant updates, including any information on possible suspect vehicles, will be provided via their Twitter account, while they will also issue a press release.
HORIZONTAL – Police car lights for stories with crime, accidents or other emergencies as logo or placeholder. (Special to Bay City News/ArtOlympic)
The Redwood City Police Department arrested two men, including a juvenile, for second-degree murder after they were involved in a fatal vehicle collision in Redwood City at El Camino Real and Finger Avenue on Nov. 4 that left two people dead, the fathers of two girls, who suffered minor injuries.
On November 4th, at approximately 7:56 p.m., Redwood City Police officers responded to the area of El Camino Real and Finger Avenue for a report of a major vehicle collision.
Upon arrival, troopers located two vehicles on the west sidewalk with significant damage, one of them on fire. A 17-year-old male, who was driving one of the cars, was located with two other passengers, all three were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
However, officers located the other vehicle with two adults – driver and front passenger – trapped inside, who were later confirmed deceased. Two 7-year-old twin girls from this car were located at the scene and transported to the hospital by ambulance with minor injuries.
In the days following the collision, local authorities conducted an exhaustive investigation and identified the drivers of the two vehicles that were involved in a speed competition that caused the fatal accident.
The 17-year-old Redwood City resident who was driving the speeding vehicle that collided with the victims' car was arrested on November 18 and booked into the San Mateo County Juvenile Services Center.
However, it was not until Monday, November 21 that Redwood City police officers located the second driver and vehicle involved in the speed contest, Kyle Harrison, 23 years old, who is also a resident of Redwood City.
Kyle Harrison was arrested at his residence and booked into the San Mateo County Jail. His vehicle was also located at the residence and seized as evidence.
Both men were arrested on two counts of second-degree murder. The investigation found that both the juvenile and Harrison were participating in a speed competition just prior to the fatal accident that was determined to be the cause of both deaths.
The Redwood City Police Department is asking anyone with information about this or any Redwood City case to call the tip line at 650-780-7107.
San Mateo County-based Latino nonprofit Upward Scholars announced Thursday that it has launched a program to support immigrants seeking careers in early childhood education.
The academic and career support initiative, called TeacherUp, seeks to help county residents enroll in college, connect with employers and receive comprehensive support such as stipends.
The program builds on the 2018 workforce development pilot called the Teacher Pipeline Project, developed by the Community Equity Collaborative to address the shortage of early childhood educators on the Bay Area peninsula and supported by local community colleges, schools, nonprofits and policymakers.
The project also successfully pushed for state legislation to increase awareness of the challenges and financial barriers residents face when pursuing careers in early childhood education, which disproportionately affect women and people of color.
Community Equity Collaborative Executive Director Dayna Chung said now is the time to invest in an equitable learning workforce amid worsening educator shortages.
“Early childhood educators are an essential ingredient in the human infrastructure that supports healthy families and strong local economies,” Chung said. “Unfortunately, COVID-19 revealed and exacerbated systemic inequities, including poverty wages that drive early educator shortages and force approximately one in three parents to take time off or leave their jobs.”
TeacherUp also plans to provide students with tutoring, scholarships, laptops, food vouchers, transportation assistance, and other services from other Upward Scholars programs, such as NannyUp.
“With its roots in the Teacher Pipeline Project and its future with our organization, TeacherUp will provide real solutions to early childhood educators who can benefit from our track record of providing academic and professional support for immigrant adults from low-income households,” said Upward Scholars Executive Director Linda Prieto.
Following recent enhancements to the SMCalert emergency alert and warning system, those living and working in San Mateo County can now receive text, email and voice messages that include maps, images and multiple languages.
SMCalert’s new features are intended to further assist residents by providing them with key information to help them stay safe and steer clear of incidents such as major traffic delays and detours, wildfires, floods, and mountain lions.
The added capabilities are due to a new vendor, RAVE, which replaces Everbridge.
SMCalert is a free notification system used to alert you immediately about urgent or emergency situations.
Senders include San Mateo County and its cities; the new alert system has an enhanced identification component to show recipients exactly which agency sent the message.
The new system also allows you to choose to receive messages in English, Spanish or Simplified Chinese.
In light of this, officials are encouraging residents and existing SMCalert recipients to create a new account to enable the new features. If you don't, you will continue to receive alerts as before, but you won't be able to take advantage of the additional features.
Those interested in registering or creating a new account can do so on the website www.smcalert.info.
They also encouraged those not currently using SMCalert to sign up and customize the types of alerts they would like to receive.
Photo: P360PListen to Constanza Mazzotti's voice note
With Thanksgiving less than a week away across the country, thousands of families are preparing to go on vacation or get together with their families. Given this, and the fact that COVID-19 is adding to the rise in influenza cases, health authorities have called for precautionary measures to avoid contagion during the holidays. For now, here's what you need to know about local news from November 12 to 18 to stay up to date.
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Last Monday, November 14, the United Against Hate Week began in Redwood City, where, through various activities, a call was made to civic action to stop all those behaviors that are based on hate, discrimination and racism, among other ways of hurting anyone in the community.
United Against Hate Week grew out of a United Against Hate poster campaign created by Bay Area cities in response to white supremacist rallies in Berkeley and San Francisco in 2017.
Various events took place throughout the week, including workshops, presentations, readings, documentary screenings, and this Saturday, the Racial Equity Mural by artist Rachel Wolfe-Goldsmith was completed on Jefferson Avenue and Middlefield in Redwood City.
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On the evening of Tuesday, November 15, Redwood City police opened fire on a gunman on a section of El Camino Real who was traveling in a vehicle with a woman and three minors.
Redwood City Police Chief Dan Mulholland told reporters that officers responded to the El Camino Real area after a 911 call at 3:19 p.m. reported that a woman's voice was heard in an agitated state, but she was not providing any information.
Police were able to locate the caller's vehicle and responded to the scene on El Camino Real between Vera and Roosevelt streets, where officers found a domestic violence incident.
According to Redwood City Police, officers attempted to engage in dialogue with the suspect, but noticed that he, with a firearm, attempted to use the children as a shield and attempted to shoot the woman and/or the children, so the officers responded "with lethal force" against the suspect.
The man was later pronounced dead at a local hospital, none of the officers were injured.
On Wednesday, Nov. 16, the San Mateo County Coroner's Office said the suspect's name was Abran Gutierrez, 36, of San Carlos.
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To prevent a “twin epidemic” of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, the San Mateo County Health Department is calling on all residents 6 months and older to get vaccinated against influenza to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Influenza vaccination is part of a comprehensive public health strategy not only to reduce the burden of seasonal disease but also to preserve health care resources for the care of patients with COVID-19.
Local health authorities have reminded that it takes a couple of weeks after vaccination for the body to develop immunity, so it is best not to delay vaccination.
It is important to note that the vaccine only keeps the person who has received it fully protected for about a year, so it is important to get vaccinated every year.
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The California Department of Public Health This week, the country reported the first death from influenza and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) this winter season involving a child under 5 years of age.
While the health authority did not reveal the name of the deceased patient or the place where the death occurred, it noted that young children are more vulnerable to serious complications from RSV and influenza, especially if they have underlying medical conditions or were born prematurely.
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Three people were hospitalized after a crash in a parking lot at a Target store in San Mateo involving multiple vehicles on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 16, according to police.
The collision was reported shortly after noon at the store located at 2220 Fashion Island Blvd., where officers found multiple victims and three vehicles involved.
Police did not provide details on the conditions of the three people taken to a hospital and said the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
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In a victory for workers, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to raise the minimum wage to $16.50 an hour, effective in spring 2023.
The measure approved 5-0 will apply to unincorporated areas including North Fair Oaks and its Middlefield Road commercial corridor and agricultural land stretching from Pacifica to Pescadero.
Board Chairman Don Horsley, who proposed the increase along with Supervisor Dave Pine, said the increased paychecks will help stimulate the economy and serve as a support for families and individuals living in an increasingly expensive area.
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The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to provide an annual park pass in San Mateo County to low-income individuals and families.
The 5-0 vote will ensure that all residents, regardless of means, have access to all county parks.
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Just over a week after Election Day, San Mateo-Foster City School Board Trustee Noelia Corzo declared victory in the race for District 2 Supervisor for San Mateo County, beating out her opponent, Belmont City Councilman Charles Stone.
Corzo will be the first Latina to hold this position, and for at least two years, she will be the only woman on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.
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The San Mateo Police Department said it has purchased 500 self-installable CATGUARD devices designed to prevent the theft of catalytic converters after records in that county showed an increase in theft of auto parts.
The measure includes the purchase of 500 CATGUARD self-installable marking kits for San Mateo residents that include two ultra-destructive tags with an identification number that will break into pieces if removed, metal etching fluid, two window stickers and information on how to register in the CATGUARD database.
As the peninsula faces a severe housing shortage, San Mateo County is exploring where to plan for growth and ways to expand and protect the supply of affordable housing over the next decade.
The final plan will help shape the region's future, the county said in a statement, as communities that long relied on relatively affordable housing to attract new residents and drive economic and job growth can no longer count on that advantage.
The County has released for public review a draft Housing Element outlining the expected housing needs for the next eight years, from 2023 to 2031, which incorporates strategies to create up to 3,414 new housing units of various types in unincorporated areas.
The draft Housing Element 2023-31 covers the unincorporated areas of the the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, that is, the half of the county that is not within the limits of a city or town, including Pescadero, Montara, Broadmoor, Emerald Lake Hills, North Fair Oaks, and unincorporated Colma.
The main focus of the project is to ensure decent, safe, hygienic and affordable housing for current and future residents of unincorporated areas, including those with special needs.
Key goals also include protecting existing affordable housing, supporting housing for extremely low- to moderate-income families, and promoting housing near employment and transportation centers.
It is noteworthy that the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors will hold a hearing on the Housing Element Project at its regularly scheduled meeting on December 6, 2022.
The draft notes that “housing costs remain unaffordable for the majority of county residents, and many households… are overpaying for housing.”
In 2019, more than half of renter households paid more than 30 percent of income for housing, and about a third paid more than 50 percent, with the vast majority of renters being of Hispanic and/or Latino heritage or other communities of color.
The county noted that these renter households are much more likely to experience overcrowding, with some areas experiencing 20 to 30 percent of renters living in such circumstances.
State law requires the County, like all local governments, to update the Housing Element every eight years, while assigning a number of housing units to be planned during that time.
Key strategies to achieve the goal of creating up to 1,414 housing units include identifying all available housing sites, rezoning industrial areas for additional housing, incentivizing the creation of accessory dwelling units, protecting mobile home parks from conversion, and reducing barriers to housing production throughout the county.
The Governor Gavin Newsom convened local leaders on Friday to discuss their plans to address the homeless crisis and identify new strategies and opportunities to more ambitiously address street encampments across the state.
Earlier this month, Newsom announced that the state would conduct the third round of Housing, Homeless Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) grants to local governments whose plans, taken together, would only reduce statewide homelessness by 2 percent by 2024.
In response, the governor, in partnership with cities and counties, has laid out a path forward for applicants to receive their third round of HHAP funding, with grants set to go live next week, provided local governments agree to more ambitious reductions in homelessness.
In the face of poor results, Newsom challenged local leaders to come up with more ambitious plans for their next round of funding; so far, 21 have pledged to step up in writing. The state expects the remaining applicants to do the same.
“This was an important conversation that allowed us to speak candidly and share some good ideas,” said Gavin Newsom. “Local leaders talked about the need for more collaboration between the city and county, more land use reforms to build housing faster, and a focus on keeping people housed who may be on the brink of homelessness – these leaders are our partners, and we all recognize that we are in this together.”
The third round of HHAP grants provides a portion of the $1 billion committed to each county on the condition that each local government has a state-approved plan that will reduce homelessness and increase permanent housing.
The Governor's Office highlighted that so far, the state has provided more than $1.5 billion in flexible emergency assistance to address homelessness through the Homeless Emergency Assistance Program and the first two rounds of HHAP funding.
HHAP Round 4 applications must be submitted by November 29, 2022.
The Children's Discovery Museum of San José will host a COVID-19 vaccination clinic this Sunday and offer free admission for every family with a child or adult who gets vaccinated.
The clinic is open to everyone 6 months of age and older and will offer the first, second and booster doses of the vaccine free of charge.
The Stanford University Medical Student Association influenza staff will provide vaccinations at the event, according to the museum.
“The pandemic and its effects have been hard on children and families, but one bright light for me has been the important role the museum has been able to play in making our communities healthier and stopping the spread of COVID-19,” said museum executive director Marilee Jennings.
The clinic will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Those who get vaccinated will have free admission for up to five people.
As of Wednesday, 88.2 percent of all Santa Clara County residents have completed their first round of vaccinations.
The Mayor of San Francisco, London N. Breed, announced Thursday the launch of San Francisco’s first-ever Drag Laureate program, who will embody the city’s historic, diverse and inclusive drag culture, elevating the entire community on the national and international stage.
Those who want to apply to be the city's first Drag Laureate must submit your application electronically by January 16, 2023. After applications close, a vetting committee comprised of representatives from City departments and community groups will review the applications and bring the finalists to Mayor Breed, who will make the final selection.
“Drag artists have helped pave the way for LGBTQ+ rights and representation in our city, and they are part of what makes our city so special. Investing in programs that continue their legacies and create opportunities for the next generation of drag artists to thrive helps us celebrate our city and this community,” said Breed.
Some of the San Francisco Drag Laureate's responsibilities include helping to develop and promote the role of the Drag Laureate, serving as a spokesperson for San Francisco's LGBTQ+ community, participating in community-based drag programs and events that reflect and honor San Francisco's diversity, and partnering in an official capacity with various city agencies and community organizations throughout the 18-month period, including during Pride Month.
Additionally, produce Drag events and programming focused on celebrating and supporting the LGBTQ+ community in collaboration with the San Francisco Public Library, Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, the San Francisco Arts Commission, and community partners, as well as ensure that San Francisco's rich drag history is shared, honored, and preserved, and help promote and select the next Drag Laureate toward the completion of their 18-month term.
“San Francisco would not be the beacon of LGBTQ rights without drag artists,” said Supervisor Rafael Mandelman. “This program is a fitting recognition of the essential role drag plays in our queer culture, and I look forward to seeing who will be named our first Drag Laureate.”
To qualify, applicants must submit a written and video application, be a full-time resident of the City and County of San Francisco, be at least 21 years of age by the application deadline, have a fundamental knowledge of San Francisco drag history, and exhibit enthusiasm and love for the city and demonstrate the ability to serve as its ambassador.
Participants should also have experience in community activism, engagement, and philanthropy; the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds; and be able to organize, produce, and manage events and/or projects from start to finish.
“I can’t think of any other city with a more talented, diverse, inclusive and exciting drag community than San Francisco,” said drag activist Roma.
Notably, the San Francisco Public Library (SFP) will provide the selected artist with a grant of $55,000 over the course of the 18-month period to support their work and community engagement.
The San Mateo Police Department said it has purchased 500 self-installable CATGUARD devices designed to prevent the theft of catalytic converters after records in that county showed an increase in theft of auto parts.
The measure includes the purchase of 500 CATGUARD self-installable marking kits for San Mateo residents that include two ultra-destructive tags with an identification number that will break into pieces if removed, metal etching fluid, two window stickers and information on how to register in the CATGUARD database.
The local authority detailed that several factors made the theft of catalytic converters extremely attractive for thieves, as they can be stolen in less than a minute without being detected, and are not easy to identify or track, which facilitated their sale in exchange for lucrative payments at scrapyards.
CATGUARD works by placing an ultra-destructive label with a unique serial number on a cold catalytic converter. Metal etching fluid is applied over the sticker. The vehicle's engine is then turned on to heat up the converter, resulting in the label's unique number being etched into the catalytic converter.
The unique number is then recorded in the CATGUARD database, allowing law enforcement to trace the converter to a specific vehicle if the part is stolen and later recovered.
Additionally, vehicle owners can place the two warning stickers on the vehicle to show that they are registered in the database and possibly deter thieves from targeting the vehicle.
San Mateo residents can register for the free program starting November 17 through the website www.cityofsanmateo.org/CATGUARD.
Residents will be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis with a limit of one kit per household. The first 500 eligible residents will be notified by email the week of November 28.
The San Mateo Police Department said in a statement that it selected CATGUARD kits because of the ease, speed and convenience with which they can be installed by a vehicle owner.
Unlike traditional “tape and draw” campaigns that require the assistance of mechanics or people familiar with power tools, this kit can be easily installed by a non-specialist.
However, the department has partnered with three local body shops across the city — Claremont Automotive at 945 S Claremont St., E&J Auto Repair at 317 S Norfolk St. #3010, and Ma's Auto Repair & Smog at 2660 S El Camino Real — to assist those residents who are afraid to install the sticker on their catalytic converters themselves.
It is worth noting that, as of January 1, 2023, the law defines who can sell or buy catalytic converters and ensures that the seller of these parts is the verifiable owner of the catalytic converter prior to the sale.
“Catalytic converter theft is a problem that requires a proactive, timely and innovative response. This program, along with new legislation, actively addresses this challenging issue and seeks to significantly limit a person’s ability to profit from this type of crime,” said San Mateo Police Department Chief Ed Barberini.
