San Jose Budget To Avoid Layoffs, Restore Police Services

SAN JOSE (KCBS) - The city of San Jose will avoid layoffs for the second straight year and restore some emergency services after Mayor Chuck Reed's budget message was unanimously approved Tuesday by the City Council.

In 2012, San Jose faced a $115 million budget shortfall. Reed said it was a relief that they were not faced with layoffs this year and that it was his top priority to restore police services.

"I'm hoping that police station, that's been sitting empty and locked for a couple of years, will be opened around March of next year," he said. "I'd like to get it open because it will improve performance in the southern part of the city."

He also proposed that the city should expand the size and frequency of its police and fire academies.

The city recently celebrated the graduation of first police academy class in four years.

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