Rising Crime Rate In San Jose Worries Faith Leaders
SAN JOSE (KCBS) – Faith leaders in San Jose expressed concerns over the city's rising crime rate, following two homicides on Wednesday night.
One man was killed Wednesday night during a fight on the 100 block of South 2nd Street. About four hours later, a man was shot to death in East San Jose.
The Rev. Jon Pedigo with Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in East San Jose said he senses a lot of fear over the rising crime rate.
KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:
"I talked to one 12-year-old boy who had to carry a knife on him because he was afraid his brother was green lighted," he said. "And (green lighted) means that his brother is marked for death. His brother is 14 years old."
San Jose police spokesman Albert Morales said that the second killing on Wednesday night was believed to be gang-related and the city's 36th homicide of the year.
"This is the worst spike in violence that I've seen in the time I've been living here," said Morales. "Growing up in that area, we were exposed to violence. But this is something that I've never seen."
Police said about half of the homicides so far in 2012 have been gang-related in nature.
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