San Jose's Finest - Quick on the Draw

Mercury News reports

San Jose police responded to a separate incident in which a Santa Clara County sheriff's deputy fired at a man who allegedly was driving a stolen car. He was not injured.

According to Sgt. Jason Dwyer, the deputy spotted the man behaving suspiciously on Park Street between Montgomery and Sunol streets. As the deputy approached, his dispatcher reported that the car the man was standing next to was stolen.

"He then began to treat the situation as high-risk and drew his firearm," Dwyer said.

When the man made a movement that the deputy believed was threatening, he fired several rounds at the man but didn't hit him, Dwyer said.

 The man then ran away and hopped fences until he came to the San Jose Fire Department training center on Montgomery Street. Officers located him hiding in one of the buildings and took him into custody.

How many mistakes is one cop allowed? I suppose there's no limit, especially if nobody gets shot or killed. Fortunately one of this cop's failings was his marksmanship.

What's your opinion? Is that a little quick on the draw? Is that a little trigger-happy on the shooting?

Please leave a comment.

Murders Way Up in San Jose CA

Mercury News reports

The shooting occurred shortly before 11 a.m. Saturday in the 800 block of South Third Street, a quiet residential neighborhood. The man and woman were shot multiple times in the alley between Second and Third streets at Virginia Street.

San Jose police officers still at the crime scene Saturday night said there were no obvious signs of gang violence and that one witness apparently saw the gunman, who late Saturday was still at large.

"The time of day was unusual," said Lt. Jason Ta. "The victims lived in the area and were shot in the alley."

The woman, who was taken to an area hospital with gunshot wounds, was on life-support, police said.

The man's death marks San Jose's 35th homicide this year - -- 15 more than were killed in San Jose in all of 2010.

This is the time of year we start to read stories like this one which raise doubts about all the claims of decreasing violence and lower murder rates. It was the same last year. Apparently those improvements are happening in places other than San Jose this year. It makes me wonder if they're jukin' the stats again.

What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.