With two people killed and one injured in a shooting at the Stockton Flea Market on Sunday, Jan. 18 and less than two months following a mass shooting that claimed four lives at a children’s birthday party in Stockton last November, more federal funds to fight crime will likely be on their way soon to San Joaquin County.
Officials announced that $1 million in government funding legislation passed the U.S. House for a brand-new Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) at the Stockton Police Department. Area Congressman Josh Harder made the announcement of the funding on Jan. 15, just a few days before the latest fatal shooting incident in Stockton. The RTCC will use new technology to gather information faster, allowing officers to identify crimes in progress, catch more criminals, and keep families safer. Harder also indicated that nearly $4 million for other public safety projects at local law enforcement departments across the Valley had been approved as well.
Stockton was shaken in late November by a mass shooting that took the lives of three children and one adult while injuring more than a dozen others. According to the Gun Violence Archive, this was the deadliest mass shooting in California last year. In response, Harder took to the U.S. House floor to deliver an emotional tribute to the victims and redoubled his efforts to bring more federal resources to the Valley and help local law enforcement deliver justice.
“Our community was rocked a few weeks ago by a horrific mass shooting. We vowed that no family would ever experience this tragedy again, and this investment is a critical step towards making that goal a reality,” said Rep. Harder. “The Real Time Crime Center will bring brand-new technology, real time information, and world-class resources to our local departments – which means less crime and safer streets. I’m grateful for the officers who put their lives on the line every single day, and I’m committed to continuing to work with local, state, and federal partners to keep Valley families safe.”
“The Real-Time Crime Center represents the future of modern policing,” said Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden. “Congressman Josh Harder’s support allows us to leverage technology in real time, giving our officers the tools they need to make informed decisions by providing them critical information faster, enhancing officer safety, preventing crime, and delivering better outcomes for our community.”
In 2024, Harder helped secure more than $800,000 for an RTCC at the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s office, which includes a high-tech supercomputer for data analysis and to support crime prevention. That technology is actively assisting local law enforcement in the Stockton mass shooting investigation, including analyzing over 6,000 hours of camera footage from the investigation.
“Access to this level of computing capability will dramatically improve how we analyze data, respond to incidents, and stay ahead of emerging threats,” said San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow. “This investment will help keep our county safer and stronger. I want to extend our sincere appreciation to Rep. Josh Harder for his continued support of this effort and ensuring San Joaquin County benefits from these critical tools.”
After passing the U.S. House, this funding package is now headed to the U.S. Senate ahead of the Jan. 30 government funding deadline.
Harder said he remains focused on ensuring first responders have the resources and support they need to keep Valley families safe. He is currently working to build support for new gang violence prevention initiatives, and his bill to invest in first responder training was just signed into law.
