Resources
We’ve created a summary of the Grand Jury’s Findings below:
Three Most Crucial Issues and Problems Facing South Stockton
1. Long-standing Neglect and Underservice by the City - South Stockton has been neglected and underserved by the city government for many years, with City officials often speaking about problems but taking little action. City resources have not been equitably distributed based on need, leading to a lack of proactive measures and inadequate staffing in critical departments.
2. High Crime Rates, Drug Dealing, and Gang Activity - The area suffers from widespread drug dealing, gang activity, and high crime rates. Stockton's violent crime rate is significantly higher than statewide and national averages, with much of the gang activity concentrated in South Stockton. The police force was also significantly reduced due to the City's bankruptcy, impacting its ability to combat crime effectively.
3. High Poverty and Low Educational Attainment - Poverty is concentrated in South Stockton, with a significantly higher percentage of residents living below the poverty line. Per capita incomes are among the lowest in the city, and over 30% of residents over the age of 25 lack a high school diploma. This socio-economic disparity contributes to other issues like blight and lack of services.
Three Most Crucial Actions and Solutions to Address These Problems
1. Equitable Distribution of City Resources and Increased Staffing for Code Enforcement and Police - This solution directly addresses the long-standing neglect by mandating that City resources be allocated based on the needs of each City Council district. It also calls for increasing the staff of both Code Enforcement and the Stockton Police Department (SPD) to adequately address blight, crime, and the historical neglect in South Stockton.
2. Implement and Report on Targeted Crime Reduction Programs - To combat high crime rates, the City Council should begin quarterly public reporting on the results of crime reduction programs such as Operation Ceasefire and the Marshall Plan, with a specific emphasis on criminal activities in South Stockton. Additionally, the city should prioritize South Stockton in its Blitz program efforts, which are targeted initiatives to reclaim neighborhoods by addressing blight, crime, and drug activity.
3. Community-Guided Goal Setting and Engagement - To counteract historical neglect and address underlying socio-economic issues like poverty, the City should initiate a series of public workshops and forums. These events, guided by South Stockton residents, would aim to develop short- and long-term goals to correct the long-neglected issues affecting the area, ensuring that solutions are community-driven and responsive to actual needs.
You can dive deeper into the Grand Jury Report Here:
You can dive into the The City of Stockton's response to the Grand Jury Report on South Stockton's Quality of Life. We’ve created an anlaysis of the City of Stockton’s response below and suggested actions that Stockton Community members could enage in to push the City to execute the Grand Jury recomendations. The sections with the ( ) in the analysis refer to the sections/responses from the City of Stockton in the linked document above.
The City of Stockton's response to the Grand Jury Report on South Stockton's Quality of Life provides insights into areas where the City acknowledges challenges, takes action, or, in some cases, declines to fully engage with the Grand Jury's findings and recommendations.
Overview of the City's Stance
The City of Stockton expresses keen interest and commitment to serving South Stockton, acknowledging significant needs and opportunities for improvement. It highlights past efforts, including dedicating resources and services through initiatives like the Marshall Plan, Operation Ceasefire, and the South Stockton Promise Zone. The City emphasizes that improving the quality of life is complex and requires comprehensive commitment from all government agencies, community-based organizations, and the community itself.
Areas Where the City Fails to Fully Address Recommendations or Findings
While the City agrees with many findings and claims implementation for several recommendations, there are notable instances where its response indicates a failure to fully address the Grand Jury's points, often citing lack of information, resource constraints, or differing perspectives.
Lack of Engagement with Community Perception and Data
* Perception of Unsafety (F 1.3): The Grand Jury found that people perceive South Stockton as unsafe. The City states it is "not in a position to comment on broad statements of public perception" without specific data or details. This indicates a reluctance to acknowledge or investigate community sentiment directly.
* Impact of Low Homeownership (F 2.1): While agreeing that South Stockton has low homeownership, the City again states it is "not in a position to comment on broad statements about the impact" without data or details. This sidesteps the potential implications of this finding on community stability and investment.
* Residents Not Reporting Violations (F 2.3): The Grand Jury noted that residents often do not report blight or violations due to a belief the City won't help or fear of reprisal. The City responds by saying it is "not in a position to comment on the perceptions of community members". This dismisses a critical barrier to effective code enforcement and community engagement.
* Neglect and Underservice (F 4.1):The Grand Jury found that South Stockton has been neglected. The City claims "insufficient information to respond to this recommendation," stating it's unclear by what criteria this broad statement is measured. This avoids addressing the historical context of the Grand Jury's finding.
Resource Constraints and Limitations
* Code Enforcement Staffing (F 2.2): The City agrees that code enforcement is inadequately staffed and reactive. However, it states that while code enforcement is a priority, "redirecting even more funds... would require removal of funding from other high priority initiatives". This acknowledges the problem but presents a zero-sum game, indicating a failure to fully resolve the staffing issue due to perceived budget limitations.
* Market-Driven Development (F 1.2): While agreeing that South Stockton lacks major retail outlets, the City states it "is not in a position to control development that is market-driven". This suggests a limitation in the City's perceived ability to influence economic development in the area beyond land-use policies.
Disagreement on Proactive Measures and Causality
* Aggressive Action Against Slumlords (F 2.4): The Grand Jury found the City was not aggressively taking proactive steps. The City disagrees, citing "aggressive steps" including taking properties into receivership, but also notes legal limitations and the time-consuming nature of such cases. This suggests a difference in opinion on what constitutes "aggressive" and "proactive" action, with the City focusing on reactive legal processes rather than preventative or more direct interventions.
* Gangs and Poverty (F 3.1): The Grand Jury linked street gang activity to poverty. The City disagrees, stating that while poverty is a factor, it is "not the primary factor," and points to other influences like educational attainment and social/cultural factors. This disagreement on the root cause could lead to different strategies for addressing gang violence, potentially de-emphasizing poverty alleviation as a primary intervention.
* City Officials Taking Little Action (F 4.2): The Grand Jury found that City officials "take little action." The City directly disagrees, asserting that officials and staff have spent "countless hours meeting with citizens and working side-by-side... to ensure that real action takes place". This is a direct contradiction, suggesting a disconnect between the Grand Jury's assessment and the City's self-perception of its efforts.
Insufficient Information for Recommendations
* Funding Quality-of-Life Programs (R 3.2): The Grand Jury recommended ensuring South Stockton quality-of-life programs receive funding and manpower. The City states there is "insufficient information to respond to this recommendation," asking for clarity on what specific programs are being recommended. This places the onus on the Grand Jury or community to define specific programs, rather than the City proactively identifying and funding them.
Actions Citizens Can Take to Encourage Further Action
To "force" the City of Stockton to take more action on these recommendations, citizens can employ a multi-faceted approach focusing on civic engagement, advocacy, and accountability.
1. Demand Data and Transparency
* Request Specific Data: For findings where the City claims a lack of data (F 1.3, F 2.1, F 4.1), citizens can formally request that the City conduct surveys, community impact assessments, or public perception studies. This can be done through public records requests or by advocating for specific budget allocations for such studies.
* Monitor and Report: Establish community-led initiatives to collect data on blight, crime, and quality-of-life issues. This citizen-generated data can then be presented to the City Council to counter claims of "insufficient information."
2. Organize and Advocate for Specific Solutions
* Form or Strengthen Community Groups: Existing groups like STAND (mentioned in F 2.5) or new coalitions can collectively articulate specific programs and funding requests for quality-of-life improvements (addressing R 3.2). This provides the "details" the City claims are missing.
* Propose Concrete Plans: Instead of broad recommendations, citizens can develop detailed proposals for addressing issues like retail development (F 1.2), proactive code enforcement (F 2.4), or poverty alleviation (F 3.1), complete with budget estimates and implementation strategies.
3. Engage with City Governance
* Regular Attendance at City Council Meetings: Consistently attend and speak during public comment periods to keep these issues on the agenda. Citizens can directly question officials about the status of recommendations and demand specific timelines and metrics for action.
* Engage with Elected Officials: Schedule meetings with individual City Council members and the City Manager to discuss specific concerns and proposed solutions. Follow up in writing to document these interactions.
* Participate in City Initiatives: Actively engage with the South Stockton Promise Zone and Marshall Plan efforts, as the City frequently references these as their primary vehicles for action. Ensure community voices are heard within these frameworks.
4. Leverage External Pressure
* Media Engagement: Work with local news outlets to highlight the Grand Jury's findings, the City's responses, and the ongoing challenges in South Stockton. Public awareness can create pressure for action.
* Grand Jury Follow-Up: Encourage the Grand Jury to conduct follow-up investigations or issue further reports if recommendations are not being adequately addressed. Grand Jury reports carry significant weight and can prompt official responses.
* Legal and Advocacy Organizations: Partner with legal aid or civil rights organizations if there are systemic issues of neglect or discrimination that could be addressed through legal or policy advocacy.
By systematically addressing the City's stated reasons for inaction—whether it's a lack of data, perceived resource constraints, or a difference in approach—and by presenting organized, data-backed, and specific demands, the citizens of Stockton can exert significant influence to ensure the Grand Jury's recommendations are fully implemented.
In June 2024, the San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury released a scathing report titled "City of Stockton Crisis in Government," which alleged significant dysfunction among city council and staff. The report concluded that Stockton's government was "under attack by both external and internal forces".
We’ve summarized the three most important problems and solutions identified in the Grand Jury report. We’ve also provided more background below on Former Mayor Michael Tubbs and the 209 Times to provide more background information. You can dive deeper into the Grand Jury’s report on the Crisis of Governance in the City of Stockton post the 2020 elections.
Three of the Most Important Problems Facing Governance in the City of Stockton
1. Brown Act Violations and Lack of Transparency - City Council members have violated the Brown Act by disclosing confidential closed-session information, undermining government transparency and accountability.
2. Hostile Work Environment Linked to Social Media Harassment - The social media platform 209 Times, LLC, and its associates have created a threatening and intimidating atmosphere for city staff and officials through misleading posts and harassment.
3. Limited Public Access to Financial Disclosures and Inconsistent Employment Standards - Citizens lack easy access to required financial disclosures (FPPC Form 700), and employees in the Mayor’s Office are not held to the same standards as other city staff, reducing trust and fairness.
Three of the Most Important Solutions to Address These Problems
1. Enforce Brown Act Compliance and Increase Transparency - Implement stricter policies on closed sessions, ensure City Council members adhere to transparency laws, and publicly release findings from investigations to restore accountability.
2. Regulate Social Media Conduct and Improve Workplace Environment - Take measures to prevent misinformation and harassment on platforms like 209 Times, LLC, and address bullying to create a safer, more respectful workplace for city employees and officials.
3. Enhance Public Access and Standardize Employment Practices - Provide electronic public access to FPPC Form 700 filings and apply consistent employment standards across all city departments, including the Mayor’s Office, to rebuild trust and fairness.
Background Context: - The 2020 defeat of Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs represents a troubling case study in how fake news sites can weaponize racism and exploit news deserts to undermine democratic processes.
Who Was Michael Tubbs?
Michael Tubbs made history in 2016 as Stockton's first African American mayor and youngest mayor at age 26. During his tenure, he:
• Launched the nation's first guaranteed basic income pilot program
• Established a $20 million college scholarship fund
• Was featured in the HBO documentary "Stockton on My Mind"
• Received endorsement from Barack Obama
• Left office with a $13 million budget surplus
Enter the 209 Times:
Created in 2017 by Motecuzoma "Motec" Patrick Sanchez, the 209 Times claimed to be "an independent community driven grassroots news source." In reality, it functioned as what experts call a disinformation machine.
The Strategy: The site consistently pushed three racist narratives:
• Tubbs was stealing money (playing on "Black people are criminals" stereotype)
• Tubbs was lazy and didn't work (anti-Black trope)
• Tubbs' administration was corrupt
Why It Worked:
The News Desert Effect: Stockton was the perfect target for disinformation:
• Only one local newspaper (Stockton Record) with declining staff
• No dedicated local TV market (covered from Sacramento)
• High social media usage with algorithm-driven content
• Existing racial tensions and economic struggles
• No fact-checking mechanisms for online content
What the Media Found:
• Columbia Journalism Review called it a "targeted disinformation assault"
• NPR documented the spread of conspiracy theories
• Medium exposed the premeditated plot against Tubbs
• San Joaquin County Grand Jury found 209 Times created "hostile work environment"
• Multiple news outlets confirmed the site's racist targeting
The 2020 Results:
• Despite strong economic performance and progressive achievements, Tubbs lost his reelection 51.96% to 48.04%. Post-election analysis showed:
• Candidates endorsed by 209 Times swept local races
• Misinformation particularly targeted Latino community (209 Times en Español)
• Four-year disinformation campaign created "alternative reality" for voters
• Local governance quality declined after election
Why This Matters Beyond Stockton: The Tubbs case demonstrates how:
• Social media algorithms can amplify racist disinformation
• News deserts make communities vulnerable to fake news
• Local democracy suffers when misinformation goes unchecked
• Progressive politicians of color face unique disinformation threats
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