East San Jose residents celebrate safety with neighborhood bridge improvements

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- East Side residents are celebrating major safety improvements at a community crossing in San Jose.

The Lower Silver Creek Bridge is located in between the Mayfair and Dobern neighborhoods, and it's used daily by families and kids.

But it was also the home to some serious crimes - until now.

"This bridge, once a dark and dangerous path through our community, has been transformed," San Jose District 5 Councilmember Peter Ortiz said. "We have turned the lights on, literally and symbolically."

MORE: High density of smoke shops in East San Jose pushes plan for temporary moratorium

Residents in the Mayfair and Dobern communities can feel safer thanks to newly-installed lights.

The Lower Silver Creek Bridge is a pedestrian highway, connecting the Mayfair Community Center and Park, and schools, to neighborhoods.

It's now illuminated, after community members shined a light on issues like robberies and sexual assaults that plagued the area.

"It's very scary," Mayfair community leader Guadalupe Gonzalez said. "I have to carry pepper spray in my hand because, one time, they tried to assault me. So, if I feel that way, I just imagine how our kids feel. Honestly, it was not safe for them to do it. Now, the lights, they're going to make a difference because they feel safer."

MORE: New business district established in East San Jose as shopping center makes comeback

Making the bridge safer has been a project years in the making and there's great appreciation from neighbors now that it's complete.

"Now with these new lights, this bridge no longer just connects two sides of the creek - it connects communities," City Peace Project pastor Danny Sanchez said.

"This bridge is no longer a symbol of what's been ignored," Dobern Neighborhood Assoc. member Ayanee Ramos said. "It's a symbol of what's truly possible when a neighborhood is truly seen."

It has taken more than 15 years of calls from the community to get these lights installed.

MORE: Regional Medical Center restores Level 2 Trauma Services under Santa Clara Co. ownership

Neighbors credit their native son, Councilmember Peter Ortiz, for advocating for his former neighborhood.

Ortiz says many problems impact his district and the bridge project represents a clear message that the East Side being overlooked is over.

"I am a product of this district," Ortiz said. "I'm a former gang member and formerly homeless and so, all this stuff hits me right at home. It is proof that when we build bridges, not just physical ones, but bridges of collaboration across agencies and governments, we can turn a no into a yes."

And light the way to build a better East Side and Bay Area.