State of the City: Modesto touts low crime, investment in public spaces
Mayor Sue Zwahlen, entering her sixth year as Modesto’s executive, delivered her annual State of the City address on Thursday at the State Theater.
After a year of historically low crime, a full calendar year with no homicides, multi-million dollar infrastructure projects, the largest park renovation in Modesto’s history, progress on housing and a city council that votes unanimously more often than not the city had a lot to brag about.
The mayor’s address was themed on the future — creating policy and action that will affect the city’s residents for generations to come. Zwahlen said that in 150 years, leaders will look back on the council’s decisions and admire that it was always thinking ahead. But that the ultimate responsibility lies with its people.
“I feel accountable, and I act responsibly to the best of my ability, on the information I have,” said Zwahlen. “Each of us has a responsibility to read, ask questions, listen and be engaged, to make Modesto the best it can be. And like those who came before us, what this community becomes next is still up to us. This is our city, our future”
However, the city’s controversies were unaddressed or vaguely referenced. Since January of last year, the city had its enforcement of a mask ban result in an ACLU lawsuit, had one of its city council members wrapped up in the StanCOG scandal, had its media policy criticized by first amendment advocates and was sanctioned by a judge for withholding records in an environmental lawsuit.
Cesar Chavez Park
The event featured the premier of a short documentary on the $17.1 million renovation of what is now known as Cesar Chavez park.
After the bombshell allegations reported by The New York Times earlier this year, the city decided to rename the park — but to what is still being decided. The park aims to open by this summer.
In the film, City Councilmember Eric Alvarez, who represents Modesto’s District 2, said the investments being made in his district were historic. District 2, which includes west Modesto, has been historically underserved, Alvarez said.
“Investing in parks is investing in equity, long-term sustainability and safe youth activities and options,” said Alvarez in the film. “The state dollars being invested in Modesto, it was not just political for me, it was personal. Because the state realized, ‘Oh yeah, that community is worth investment.’ It sends a clear message to the rest of the community, the people that live here, my family, and other families, that we matter.”
Public safety
After a 2025 with no homicides within its city limits, Zwahlen touted the city’s accomplishments in reducing crime. While a reduction in crime is a national phenomenon, the city’s statistics are worth noting. According to the mayor, residential burglaries are down 77%, commercial burglaries are down 67%, robberies are down 60% and auto thefts are down 78% compared to a decade ago.
Zwahlen thanked the Modesto Police Department’s efforts on modern policing, which includes the use of its Real Time Crime Center. The mayor said the renovated Cesar Chavez Park will include bright lighting and several new security cameras hooked up to MPD’s RTCC.
“We are living in a safer community built over time, and it shows. What does this mean? It means that our neighbors are looking out for each other, that our children playing outside are safer and that business owners are opening their doors with more confidence,” said Zwahlen.
Homelessness
Zwahlen called affordable housing and homelessness in Modesto “one of the biggest challenges and priorities that our city is addressing.” In the past six years, Modesto added 629 housing units, 303 of which are permanent supportive units. Zwahlen also said two-thirds of people on its Motel Voucher Program had moved into permanent homes.
Jenny’s Place, Dignity Village and Grace Gardens opened last year and a 79-unit project called Seventh Street Village was approved. The city also held a ribbon-cutting for the converted El Capitan Motel, which will have 48 units.
While homelessness overall increased slightly in Stanislaus County, it slightly decreased in Modesto. The county did see an increase in sheltered people for the third year in a row, which gave officials hope that its efforts were making a difference.
Remarks
In her opening statement, Zwahlen acknowledged that times were turbulent but wanted people to remain hopeful for the future.
“A city once described by a simple phrase, ‘water, wealth, contentment, health’ reminds us that Modesto was built by people who believed that even in uncertain times, they could shape something better for the future,” said the mayor.
The event closed down J Street between 13th and 14th Streets for its duration. The presentation of the colors was done by MPD. Live music was provided by the Savage Middle School Jazz Band.
