I contacted the City Council earlier this year about swastikas spray painted at Carriage Hills Park. Councilmembers Hilton, Marques and Armendariz all contacted me personally because I felt threatened, worked to have the graffiti removed, and kept me updated about the process.
I was thus quite surprised to see Dion Bracco saying in his reelection materials that he is concerned about extremism and wants to lower crime and provide clean and safe streets and “zero-tolerance” near playgrounds. He also says he is running to support faith and families.
When it was a hate crime, Nazi extremism, and Jewish families, Bracco did not respond to my request for help. Clean and safe streets and playgrounds? Our park, where my children play, was covered in graffiti and hate speech. Some Councilmembers took the time to check on and assist a scared resident; Mr. Bracco and the others, through their silence, made me feel like I and other minorities are not welcome or safe in Gilroy.
Brenda Sanfilippo
Gilroy
