Santa Clara County Investigates South Second Street Studios — Permanent Supportive Housing

Excerpts from the Santa Clara County (SCC) PDF report below outlines a very poorly managed PSH in downtown SJ — South Second Street Studios to which San Jose gives a $26 million ‘bailout’

Where is the non profit financial accountability? NonProfit Accountability Registry

SOURCE: PDF DATE: December 14, 2021 TOCounty of Santa Clara (.gov)https://services.sccgov.org › Home › ViewFile

Substance Use and Sales

Staff have witnessed individuals using and discarding needles, pipes, and other drug paraphernalia at the facility entrance on several occasions. Staff have witnessed, what is believed to be, multiple drug sales on the nearby sidewalks and streets. Numerous incidents have occurred involving individuals knocking on the various doors at allcove appearing to be under the influence, asking to be let in, for directions, or for other reasons. More specifically, on November 8, 2021, three individuals appeared to be selling drugs out of their vehicle along the side of the allcove portion of the building. On November 19, 2021, a man outside the front door of allcove San Jose was stumbling around and then passed out, unresponsive, requiring emergency personnel to be called to assist. On November 23, 2021, a youth client reported to allcove staff that a man approached him outside the facility near the young person’s vehicle and began conversing with him about his music. The man subsequently began to smoke a substance from a pipe in front of the youth. Crime statistics show 21 records related to narcotics within 500 feet of the allcove entrance, with 12 of those records occurring before 7 pm.

Human Trafficking and Sexually Inappropriate Behavior

Reports of suspected human trafficking and sexually inappropriate behavior have also occurred outside the facility. On one occasion, a man began to masturbate when he saw a female staff memberwalking outside the facility. San Jose Police Department (SJPD) have shared that the area is a hotspot for human trafficking and that undercover officers cover the area regularly. Crime statistics show 21 records related to sex crimes within 500 feet of the allcove entrance, with eight of the records occurring before 7 pm.

Fighting, Yelling, Leering, Loitering, and Emergency Personnel

There have been multiple episodes of individuals leering, yelling, catcalling, or fighting around youth and staff. Several youth clients have shared they are worried about their cars or bikes being stolen and will leave their activities inside allcove to check on their property. On one occasion, a group of people played their music so loudly it could be heard inside the facility and when a staff member requested the group turn down the music, and a man responded to her with a veiled threat. Staff report that people are often hear yelling and screaming outside the facility, including one situation where a woman was heard yelling “help, let me out” repeatedly from the Keyes Street side of the facility. On November 18, 2021, a female staff member was returning from lunch and could not park in the garage because a firetruck blocked it. A man spoke to her through the window, asking her for a date, and then he began yelling at her when she did not respond.

Loitering at the facility is a daily occurrence, and it is not uncommon for individuals to wait near the garage exit and to enter the garage as staff drive away. On November 9, 2021, a woman wrapped in a blanket was lying in front of the allcove door for three hours before she would leave, despite attempts made by staff and security to get her to leave. Food, vomit, feces, and beer were left in the same area. In addition, a different individual left their car unattended in the street and walked with bare feet to the facility and repeatedly rang the doorbell. The individual appeared to be under the influence or mentally impaired.

There are a number of medical, fire, and police calls for service that have raised concern from youth and staff. An example is on the morning of November 22, 2021, there was a suspicious death that was investigated. This resulted in a high level of police activity and crime scene investigators on- site which led to the street being blocked off and the center delaying its opening by three hours.

On the afternoon of December 3, 2021, staff noticed what appeared to be bloody handprints on an exterior wall near the parking garage. Staff connected with the building maintenance person, who shared that a woman had vandalized the building by putting red paint on her hands, creating handprints, and throwing rocks at the building windows. SJPD was called, and she was arrested.

Incidents requiring fire, police, or an ambulance response inside or directly outside the building occurs multiple times per week. Crime statistics show 16 records related to assault or disturbing the peace within 500 feet of the allcove entrance, with 9 of the records occurring before 7 pm.

Weapons

In June 2021, San Jose Fire Department stopped by allcove to alert staff of someone in the area with a firearm and advised staff to stay indoors and be mindful of allowing people into the facility. On October 30, 2021, a man and his dog were shot at 9:45 in the morning within approximately 100 feet of the allcove front door. The SJPD states the investigation is ongoing but confirmed that the victim and his dog had non-life-threatening gunshot wounds inflicted by a gang “check” because the man was wearing a blue shirt.

Another incident with firearms occurred on November 1, 2021, around 4:00 p.m., when several police arrived with their guns drawn at a person on the corner of Second and Keyes Street due to concerns that the individual was carrying a weapon. The police firearms were pointed toward the man and the inside of allcove was within the line of fire. Staff quickly responded to shelter themselves and the youth clientele towards the back corner of the facility out of potential harm’s way.

On November 24, 2021, an individual was loitering at the front entrance holding a large metal pipe and pacing back and forth. Due to the pipe potentially being used as a weapon, police were called. Police intervened, but the woman was refusing to leave, and the Police suggested a staff member press charges so the individual could be removed. Fortunately, a nearby resident knew the person and helped escort the person away from the area.

BHSD Response

Since September 8, 2021, BHSD has worked closely with the County Director of Facilities Security to enhance site security and staff training. On September 10, 2021, an on-site meeting occurred to walk through the center and review current safety protocols and procedures. As a result, an action plan was developed, including hiring security personnel, a plan to install live-feed cameras, giving youth clients access to park their vehicles in the staff garage, working to create a drop-off zone, boost staff training, and working more closely with community partners. Safety is a discussion at the weekly team meeting and the staff have practiced safety drills with vignettes of various critical incidents. The action plan and status is included in Attachment 2.

990 for South Second Street Studios

Revenue $3.31M. Salaries $3.74M. $2M Executive salaries. Total salaries higher than revenue.

https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/770119210/202343139349300839/full