Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln delivers the 2024 State of the City address

During his State of the City addresses in 2022 and 2023, Mayor Kevin Lincoln vowed that “Stockton will be America’s best city to live, raise a family, and grow a business.”

With eight months left until his four-year term as mayor ends and a new mayor takes over, Lincoln believes city leaders are “standing firm on the city’s vision.”

“Over the past three years, this vision has guided every decision we’ve made, every partnership we’ve formed, and every dollar we’ve invested,” Lincoln said in the annual State of the City address held at Stockton Harbor. Thursday.

About 900 people gathered to hear the Mayor give an update on homelessness and housing, public safety, and youth programs and development.

The address marked Lincoln’s last as mayor of Stockton as he challenged Democratic Rep. Josh Harder to represent California’s 9th Congressional District in November’s election.

Teacher Christina Fugazi and San Joaquin County Supervisor Tom Patti are running for mayor of Lincoln. Both candidates attended on Thursday.

‘Healing wounds and ending generational poverty’

Throughout his time in office, Lincoln said the city has “invested significantly” in expanding Stockton’s housing, housing and services.

“We have built 10 emergency housing projects, nine permanent housing projects, and four affordable housing projects,” the mayor said. “By the time these projects are completed, we will have added 738 residential beds and 862 homes for individuals and families.”

This year, the city succeeded in the Project of St. Mary’s, which is estimated to house more than 300 people. It will also offer shuttle services when it opens this summer.

“Addressing the needs of the homeless and housing in Stockton involves individuals and families transitioning from life on the streets to housing, employment, and recovery from addiction,” Lincoln said. “When we cut the ribbon, we’re not just celebrating the success of construction, but the opportunity for a new life and a new beginning. Our investment in housing and services for the homeless is about healing trauma and ending generational poverty in our city.”

Additionally, Lincoln said the city issued 610 building permits and 53 low-income housing units, and opened Sonora Square Apartments, which provides 37 behavioral health housing units for homeless individuals and families.

The City’s Mobile Community Response Team, in collaboration with Community Medical Centers, served more than 6,000 people facing health problems in the past six months.

“Reducing homelessness in Stockton is about taking actionable steps to address the root cause and improve the quality of life for all Stockton residents,” the mayor said.

A decrease in violent crime

In 2023, Stockton saw a 1.2% decrease in violent crime, an 8% decrease in homicides, and the removal of 963 guns from the streets, according to Lincoln.

“We are committed to ensuring our public safety departments have the tools and resources they need to protect and serve our beautiful community,” Lincoln said. “We have invested more than $12 million in recruitment and retention efforts by reforming the Measure A sales tax to better serve our Stockton police officers and our community for the next 10 years.”

The mayor noted that last year, the Stockton Police Department conducted 11 multi-agency operations, which resulted in 1,214 traffic stops, 83 arrests, and 116 towed vehicles.

“Let me be clear, the culture of lawlessness in Stockton will not be tolerated,” Lincoln said.

Also on the public safety front, the Stockton Fire Department received 51,638 calls for service in 2023.

The fire department saw the reopening of Fire Station No. 1, and Fire Station No. 7 will be restored and reopened, Lincoln said. Fire Station No. 7 was the last fire station to close due to the city’s bankruptcy.

‘Historical investment’ in children and young people

At one point during the speech, Lincoln asked young people in the crowd to stand so they could be recognized.

“To all these young men and women who are here today, I want you to know that I am very proud of each and every one of you,” the mayor said. “Don’t give up on your dreams. Don’t lose your voice. The only person who can take away your dreams or silence your voice is yourself.”

Lincoln also took time to highlight what he believes to be a “historic investment” in the physical, mental, and recreational well-being of Stockton’s youth. The mayor said that by 2023, the city would invest more than $6 million in youth services, programs, and workforce development.

“Fourteen local nonprofits launched and expanded youth programs to serve our youth across the city,” Lincoln said. “In addition, 284 youth and young adults were hired to work in our first youth employment program for the city of Stockton.”

Lincoln said the city has already hired workers for another youth employment program running this summer, and that program will be funded for years to come with annual state dollars he received through the Greater City Mayors Coalition.

False stories

Lincoln spent the last few minutes of his speech dispelling the negative narratives often heard about the city.

“Any narrative that life is doom and gloom in Stockton is simply not true, and we refuse to accept it,” the mayor said. “Together, we are making life-changing progress in our city.”

Lincoln pointed out that Stockton is making “significant progress in reducing crime and homelessness,” and said businesses are growing in the city — 3,574 new business licenses were issued in 2023, compared to 3,300 in 2022.

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