The Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority (SVACA) provides the cities of Campbell, Monte Sereno, Mountain View, and Santa Clara with the care of sick, injured, lost and abandoned companion animals, animal cruelty investigations, enforcement of animal laws, education and outreach programs, volunteer and foster programs, and so much more.

SVACA
3370 Thomas Road - Santa Clara, CA 95054
408-764-0344

Bicycle riders are part of the traffic and share the road with automobile drivers. They must stop at stop signs, obey traffic lights, and most other traffic laws and signs. Bicycle riders must ride near the right hand curb or edge of the roadway but they can legally move left to turn left, to pass another vehicle or bicycle, or to avoid dangerous conditions such as parked cars.

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) is an all-volunteer advisory body appointed by the Santa Clara City Council. Members encourage recreational bicycling, commuter bicycling and pedestrian activities as well as make recommendations on policies, funding priorities and the design of safe and convenient facilities in our community. Information about BPAC meetings, a resident resource guide and bicycle maps can be found online. 

The Federal Trade Commission’s mission is to prevent business practices that are anti-competitive or deceptive or unfair to consumers; to enhance informed consumer choice and public understanding of the competitive process; and to accomplish this without unduly burdening legitimate business activity.

For information on office locations, online services, driver’s license and vehicle registration log onto DMV.

Car safety is important in order to ensure a positive experience for you and the other drivers on the road. Below are a few helpful agencies, numbers, and links that will supplement some valuable safety tips for in and out of the car.

CHP, California Highway Police San Jose Office
2020 Junction Avenue – San Jose, CA
408-467-5400

Child abuse is legally defined as:

• A physical injury which is inflicted by other than accidental means on a child by another person.
• Sexual abuse, including both sexual assault and sexual exploitation.
• Willful cruelty or unjustifiable punishment of a child.
• Cruel or Inhuman corporal punishment or Injury.
• Neglect, including both severe and general neglect.
• Abuse (all of the above) in or out of home care.

Below are some helpful agencies, numbers, and links that will supplement in your search concerning child abuse.

CPS, Child Protective Services: 1867 Center Road; San Jose, CA; 408-299-2071, 408-683-0601

Next Door Solutions (Battered Women with Child/ Children): 24-hour crisis hotline, 408-279-2962

The National Crime Prevention Council's mission is to be the nation's leader in helping people keep themselves, their families, and their communities safe from crime. To achieve this, NCPC produces tools that communities can use to learn crime prevention strategies, engage community members, and coordinate with local agencies, including publications and teaching materials on a variety of topics:

• Programs that can be implemented in communities and schools
• Local, regional, and national trainings
• Public service announcements broadcast nationwide starring McGruff the Crime Dog
• Support for a national coalition of crime prevention practitioners, http://www.ncpc.org

Below are some helpful agencies, numbers, and links for a number of counseling services ranging from family to mental health counseling.

Bill Wilson Center:  Child and family counseling, marriage counseling, residential program, alcohol and drug outpatient; 408-243-0222

Mental Health Services of Santa Clara County:  Counseling for mentally ill individuals; 408-885-5770

Parents Helping Parents: 1400 Parkmoor Avenue Suite 10; San Jose, CA; 408-727-5775

Here are the different courthouses located in the City of Santa Clara.

California Attorney General’s Crime and Violence Prevention Center has the duty to collect, analyze, and report statistical data, which provide valid measures of crime and the criminal justice process to government and the citizens of California. This site contains crime data submitted by county and local law enforcement agencies, as well as current and historical publications on crime, juvenile justice, homicide, and hate crimes in California.

Below is a comprehensive list of different crisis hotlines in the event that you or someone you know is experiencing a domestic violence, mental health, familial violence, sexual assault, or poison crisis.

Next Door Solutions: 24-hour Crisis Line, Counseling and shelter for battered women; 408-501-7550, 408-279-2962

Poison Control Center: 24-hour, provides advice and referrals and some drug identification medicines; 800-222-1222

Suicide Crisis Hotline: 408-279-3312

Rape Crisis and Referral Center: 408-572-2782

Bill Wilson Center (Safe Place For Kids): 408-850-8466

Domestic violence is behavior which involves the physical (sexual), emotional, and verbal abuse by one partner against another in an intimate relationship such as marriage, cohabitation, dating, or within a family. It can range from subtle forms such as controlling behavior to violent physical abuse that can result in disfigurement or death.

Below are some helpful agencies, numbers, and links that will supplement in your search concerning domestic violence.

YWCA Support Network Crisis Line: 1257 Tasman Drive Suite C; Sunnyvale, CA; 800-572-2782

Next Door, Solutions to Domestic Violence: 408-279-2962

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233

Women’s Crisis Support: 1537 Pacific Avenue; Santa Cruz, CA; 24-hour crisis line, legal and shelter services; 831-425-4030, 831-685-3737

Victims of Crime Resource Center: 3200 Fifth Avenue; McGeorge School of Law; Sacramento, CA; Tips for stalking victims; 800-842-8467

AACI Asian Women's Home: 408-975-2739

On November 4, 2008, the voters of the State of California approved Proposition 9, the Victims’ Bill of Rights Act of 2008: Marsy’s Law, a measure to provide all victims with rights and due process. The State of California Department of Justice provides victims with information and resources in various languages online.

The abuse of drugs and alcohol affects every age group, especially youth and adolescents. While the exposure to these substances cannot be eliminated, you can prepare yourself by being knowledgeable about their effects. If you or someone you know is a victim of drug abuse, contact one of the agencies below or visit their website.

Bill Wilson Center: Child and family counseling, marriage counseling, residential program, alcohol and drug outpatient; 408-243-0222

Alum Rock Counseling Center: San Jose, CA; 408-294-0500, 408-294-0579

Adult Child Guidance Clinic: 408-292-9353

Family violence consists of abuse -physical or mental - of children, adults or seniors in a familial setting. Family violence is broken down into three major categories: child abuse, battered women, and elderly victimization. It is not uncommon that if one type of abuse is occurring within a home, other abuse may be (or soon will be) taking place.

Below are some helpful agencies, numbers, and links that will supplement in your search concerning family violence.

Planned Parenthood of Santa Clara County: 1691 The Alameda; San Jose, CA; 408-287-7526

Department of Social Services: 1919 Senter Road; San Jose, CA; 408-271-5500

Family Violence Center: 125 East Gish Road; San Jose, CA; 408-277-3700 – Advocacy services for victims of domestic violence, elderly abuse, stalking; Assistance with TROs

Family Court Services: 408-534-5760

CPS, Child Protective Services: 373 W Julian Street; San Jose, CA; 408-299-2071, 408-683-0601

How to Report Hate Crimes and Incidents and Get Help

Penal Code section 422.92, subdivision (a), requires that “[e]very state and local law enforcement agency in this state shall make available a brochure on hate crimes to victims of these crimes and the public.” Assembly Bill 449, as enacted at Penal Code section 13023, subdivision (b)(2), requires the Attorney General to review state and local law enforcement agencies’ formal hate crimes policies and brochures for compliance with Penal Code sections 422.87 and 422.92 respectively. 

Your home is the one place you feel safest. Below are helpful tips that will aid in your effort to ensure the utmost security of your home.

• Secure all outside doors with deadbolt locks. Outer doors should be 1-3/4 inch thick solid core wood or metal.
• Have good lighting at all entrances.
• Add auxiliary locks to sliding glass doors to prevent lifting and sliding.
• Add auxiliary locks on all windows to prevent lifting and sliding.
• Know your neighbors and work out a mutual watch and warning system to prevent burglaries and other break-ins.
• Identify your belongings by engraving your driver's license number on your possessions.
• Use automatic timers to turn indoor lights on and off to give the appearance you are home.
• Stop mail and other deliveries when you are gone for any length of time, or have a trusted neighbor pick them up for you.
• Close and lock doors and windows every time you leave your home.
• Install a peephole viewer in your door.
• Have your locks re-keyed every time you move into a new house or apartment.
• If you live in an apartment, be attentive, and be careful if you are alone in the laundry room or garage, especially late at night.
• Do not automatically open your door. Make sure you know who is on the other side before you open it. Insist on identification from repair and sales persons. If in doubt, call their company for identification or look up the company name and phone number in the phone book.
• Do not admit persons asking to use your telephone. Offer to make the call for them.
• If you come home and find a door or window open or signs of forced, do not enter. Call the police for assistance.
• Don't hide spare keys. Give keys to trusted neighbors.

A comprehensive Guide to Securing Your Home is also available from the Safety, Health and Consumer Council.

Rape is a violent crime - a hostile attack - an attempt to hurt and humiliate. It is NOT the result of "uncontrolled passions."

Rape can happen to anyone. Students, working women, wives, mothers, children, grandmothers, and even males are the victims of rape. Rape can occur anywhere and at any time, in public or in your own home, day or night. Rapists are not necessarily strangers. In fact, in over one-third of reported cases, the rapist is an acquaintance, neighbor, friend or relative of the victim. Rape is one of the most underreported crimes. The majority of rapists continue until caught. So report any kind of sexual assault.

Below are some helpful agencies, numbers, and links that will supplement in your knowledge of rape prevention and other sexual assaults.

YWCA Rape Crisis Line: 408-287-3000

Below are helpful tips that will educate you about effective street safety practices.

• Walk confidently. Be alert. Notice who passes you and who's behind you.
• Walk in well-lighted areas. Don't walk close to bushes, alleys, and so on. In dark or deserted neighborhoods, walk down the middle of the street.
• If a car pulls up slowly, or the occupants of the vehicle bother you, cross the street and walk or run in the other direction.
• If you feel someone is following you, turn around and check. Proceed to the nearest lighted house or place of business.
• Don't overburden yourself with bags or packages, which might impede running or taking care of yourself.
• Carry a whistle or personal safety device.
• Carry as little cash as possible.
• Don't hitchhike.
• Hold your purse tightly, close to your body. Keep your wallet in a front or in a buttoned, hip pocket.
• Be careful when people stop you for directions or information. Always reply from a distance--never get too close to the car.
• Wear clothes and shoes that give you freedom of movement.
• If you feel that you are in danger, don’t be afraid to scream and run.