San José Mayor and Police Chief Say It’s Past Time to Hit the Brakes on Sideshows
Mayor is asking social media platforms to work with SJPD and institute harsher penalties for users who repeatedly spread dangerous content
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2023
Media Contact:
Tasha Dean, Chief Communications Officer, Office of Mayor Matt Mahan, tasha.dean@sanjoseca.gov
SAN JOSÉ, CA - Today, San José Mayor Matt Mahan, joined by Chief Anthony Mata of the San José Police Department (SJPD), unveiled a new approach to curb the impact that sideshows have on the community. While City laws already have lofty fines associated with the promotion of and participation in sideshows, they have grown increasingly dangerous in recent years, with instances of nearby bystanders killed, and spectators firing at responding officers.
“We all have a role to play in creating a safer city, and we are asking social media companies to join us in putting a stop to these illegal and often life-threatening activities,” said San José Mayor Matt Mahan. “Working with these companies we can send a strong message that sideshows will not be tolerated – not in San José and not on social media.”
Mayor Mahan has invited representatives from Meta, Snapchat, and TikTok to come to City Hall to discuss strategies to curb sideshow content on their respective platforms. One such strategy is outlined in the Mayor’s letter to the companies – a 30-day ban for first time offenders and a permanent ban for repeated posting of sideshow content.
“The community impacts of sideshows don’t just end with congestion and dangerous driving behavior,” said SJPD Chief Anthony Mata. “We’ve responded to serious hit and run collisions, shootings, and other violent crimes and also arrested sideshow participants carrying firearms.”
The Mayor and SJPD are aiming to meet with the companies next month. Those interested in reading the letters can view the one sent to Snapchat here.
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About the City of San José
With nearly one million residents, San José is the largest city in the Bay Area and one of the nation's most diverse and creative. San José’s transformation into a global innovation center in the heart of Silicon Valley has resulted in the world's greatest concentration of technology talent and development.