The Almaden Valley Public Safety Net (AVPSN) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2018 by three neighbors from Pierce Ranch, Country Club and Shadowbrook to provide a private monitored Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licensed and registered communications channel with a strong enough signal to reach all neighborhoods in 95120.

 

MISSION:
To provide a private general purpose 24/7 use radio communication network for the purpose of public safety for Almaden Valley neighborhoods in 95120 in support of Neighborhood Watch members, including liaison with emergency responders, community policing efforts and daily radio checks. 

 

AVPSN VISION:
Enable and encourage neighbor to neighbor communications to strengthen Almaden community awareness of events, potential dangers and need for assistance by our neighbors and family members whether at home or in public places where cell communication is limited, i.e., hiking, biking and walking trails.

AVPSN VALUES:
Compliant with all FCC rules and requirements. AVPSN aspires to the highest standard of transparency and partnership with all Almaden Valley neighborhoods to strengthen public safety readiness.

 

 

Notice:  The AVPSN nets are now held on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 7:45pm

 

 Help Needed

AVPSN needs a volunteer backup webmaster for our website AVPSN.org.  A very low time commitment is anticipated.

If you are familiar with Joomla 4 and would be willing to help us out, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

 

PG&E Microsoft Teams Meeting Just for Almaden Valley

Thursday, July 21st, 5:30 to 7:00pm

Matt Mahan has arranged a Webinar meeting with PG&E representatives who shared information about recent power outages in Almaden Valley and what is being done to prevent them in the future.
Here is a link to the recorded meeting

Here is a summary of the information presented by PG&E: 

Every year, when the wildfire season starts, PG&E activates their Enhanced Power Safety Settings (EPSS) system, which shuts down power temporarily once the local EPSS sensor detects potential wildfire risks hitting power lines. The system will automatically try to restore power three times, but if the risk persists, the electrical circuit stays open (and the power out) until PG&E makes it out into the field to check on the situation and remove the hazard. This can happen during the wildfire season which historically has been from May to October.  They said will do their best to restore power as fast as possible for potential future outages.
 

It is the substation on Hicks Road that is the line most impacted.  It is triggered by monitors/sensors and is very sensitive.  It's designed to detect things that may cause a fire and proactively shut down the power.  This is part of their EPSS.  Employees then must physically check the line to ensure everything is clear before they turn it back on.  This substation affects the southeastern part of Almaden, all the way down to New Almaden.  It's unclear what PG&E plans to do to make the sensors less sensitive or what other measures they will take to reduce outages.

Here is a link to request the free Backup Power Transfer Meter

Here is a link to the PG&E Backup Power Transfer Meter LED Indicators

Here is a link to the Backup Power Transfer Meter Operation Insturctions

pge transfer meter operaton

UPDATE:  

PG&E claims the power outages are due to the new Enhanced Power Safety Settings as explained in the webinar above. However, the root cause of the outages is the ancient infrastructure that has exceeded its design life and is now failing at a high rate. There have been 28 power outages in the last year in Almaden Valley. This is a public safety issue! 

Perhaps if enough people submitted an online public safety complaint with the California Public Utilities Commission, PG&E would be pressured into taking action to upgrade their infrastructure.

Here is a link to submit a Public Safety Complaint

 

 

Useful Informtion:

  1. Request for Traffic Enforcement.  Use this link to report a chronic traffic problem. This form may be completed and submitted online.
  2. SCC Live Traffic.  Use this link to view live street intersection cameras in Santa Clara County.
  3. Report a Crime / Incident Online.  Use this link to submit an online crime report to San Jose Police
  4. San Jose Police Southern Division Team.  Use this link to email the captain or sumit a comment, suggestions, questions, compliment, or compliaint to the Southern Division team.  
  5. Vaccine Dashboard:  This dashboard provides a summary of all COVID-19 vaccine types received and administered by vaccine providers located in Santa Clara County.
  6. Free Catalytic Converter Etch Program. Get your license plate or VIN number etched on your catalytic converter to help stop thefts.
  7. Report illegal fireworks   (More information in this How To video)
    1. Report via computer using this browser link 
    2. Report via mobile phone:
      • Download the San Jose 311 moblile app for Android
      • Download the San Jose 311 mobile app for Apple
      • Use this mobile browser SanJose 311 (sanjoseca.gov)
    3. Call the 311 phone number:  408-535-5600
  8. Report Encampments:  The City of San Jose has launched a new system for residents to report encampments. The program uses an encampment intake form to gather information about reported encampants and assess them to determine appropriated actions. Visit this webpage to report Encampment Trash Pickup, Inter-Agency Coordination, Encampment Clean-up and Encampment Abatement.  

 

  1. Next Sign-up
  2. avca