FEATUREon the mile Continued from page 5
The Safety Zone Moses Zapien, the new Stockton City Council representative for District 4, wholeheartedly agrees with Leland. The Pacific Avenue Median Project, he says, will definitely help “add a distinct feel to the area.” But there’s a lot of other potential change in the air along the Miracle Mile, and not all of it calls for new construction. Zapien, one of three new city council members to take office in 2013, believes public safety needs to be Stockton’s top priority. “Last year, violent crime
in Stockton reached record levels,” he notes. “Our police department continues to build alliances with other law enforcement agencies and the community to make our streets and neighborhoods safer. And we will be unveiling a comprehensive crime fighting and prevention plan to help better guide us.” The next biggest challenge is getting the city in and out of bankruptcy as quick and painless as possible, he notes. Stockton also needs to focus on growing its local economy. “Turning our city and our image around will take time,” says Zapien, a lifelong Stockton resident, and a Franklin High School and UOP graduate whose family still runs
“We have a diverse population that is a microcosm of the city as a whole. I look forward to working with the businesses and residents of District 4 to build a common vision of where we want to go, and rolling up our sleeves to make it happen.” Moses Zapien, newly-elected District 4 council member
6 | on the M I L E
| FEBRUARY-APRIL 2013