Talk to Downtown Episode 77 Blog: Stanley McFadden, Chief of the Stockton Police Department

Posted on June 29, 2026June 29, 2026 by Courtney Wood

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By: Courtney Wood

Our June 10^th Talk to Downtown episode featured Chief Stanley McFadden of the Stockton Police Department. If you missed the episode, you can watch it here. Read the blog below for just a few highlights from the interview, hosted by Courtney Wood. To hear everything Chief McFadden talked about, check out the full Talk to Downtown episode.

Chief McFadden’s Experience & Background

Having previously served 30 years in the San Jose Police Department, and retiring as Deputy Chief of Operations there, McFadden is now in his 34^th year of policing – serving as the Chief of Stockton PD since 2022.

What categories of service are provided by Stockton PD?

During the interview, McFadden outlined policing services, animal shelter services, and neighborhood services as the key categories of service provided by Stockton PD.

What is the Mission of Stockton PD?

McFadden noted three aspects of the mission of Stockton PD. The first is “making sure our officers are well;” the second is to “build relationships” in all corners of the community; and third is “making people feel safe” by removing criminal elements from the streets.

Let’s Talk About Crime

Chief McFadden shared that violent crime is at decade lows in Stockton! He emphasized during the episode that “we haven’t seen lows like these for 13 to 15 years.” He said that shootings, specifically, were at record lows, with last year seeing only 96 of them. “We’ve never been under 100 in over 20 years…incredible work is being done,” McFadden noted.

McFadden credits some of the crime reduction to the See Something, Say Something campaign, the Parenting with Purpose Program, and members of the community coming forward with information about crimes within our community. He is very proud of the department and the rest of the Stockton community for the work being done “to change the name and the narrative in Stockton that we are getting safer. We’re not going to tolerate these things happening in our town.”

An Example of Stockton PD’s Impact on the Community

When asked to share a story that highlights the impact that Stockton PD has on the community, Chief McFadden spoke about an officer-involved shooting which resulted from an incident of domestic violence in which someone was actively being stabbed while an officer was present. This incident involved a large family with many children. McFadden noted that he “couldn’t be more proud of the connection that came out of that trauma…trauma bonds us and we have truly bonded with this family.” McFadden shared that “One of the children in the family just graduated from 8^th grade…and the officer involved in the shooting was requested by the family to attend a graduation, which he did.” McFadden himself has also spoken with the victim of this incident during his Chief walks, and has “connected her to additional resources that have been needed based on a traumatic incident that she survived.” He views every interaction between police and the community as opportunities to connect and build relationships.

McFadden’s Goals & Priorities as Police Chief

McFadden’s #1 priority is “that every goes home safe…and stays safe. So that goes for my staff, [and] that goes for every community member…I want everyone to make it home…I view everyone as…being…my responsibility.” Another mission of McFadden’s is to increase the mounted police presence throughout the city; since becoming chief, he has tripled the number of mounted police. He also stresses the importance of embracing technology, like the recently acquired drones, to help increase the efficiency of Stockton PD; this is especially important due to the smaller size of the police department.

What Does Chief McFadden love about Downtown Stockton?

“It’s intimate. It’s quiet. I would like to see more businesses open there, but it’s got so much upside, meaning so much more could be there…I know there’s been conversations with Economic Development on how to just reimagine what Downtown could be, and we’re going to continue to make those areas safer because without public safety, there is no economic development…we can help EDD dream their dreams by us helping people feel safe in those areas.”

How can the community help Stockton PD?

Without hesitation, McFadden stated, “Send me a family member that you think would be incredible in public service. They don’t have to be an officer. They could be a dispatcher. They could be a records clerk. They can be a property clerk. They could work in budget. Almost every profession, every college major, there’s an area in this police department that you could work within.” He emphasized that Stockton PD is hiring; so if you or someone you know is looking for opportunities, check out this link with available positions at the Stockton Police Department. Or visit joinstocktonpd.com.

How can someone report information about a crime anonymously?

McFadden says that Stockton PD has a great partnership with Crimestoppers, which is where anonymous tips can be provided. Click here to visit the Crimestoppers website or go to stocktoncrimestoppers.org. Here is the number to call: 209.946.0600

UPCOMING EVENTS

McFadden talked about Public Safety Day, which is coming up on August 8th at Weber Point Events Center in Downtown Stockton. He also touched on National Night Out – this year it will be August 4th and takes place at various location across the City of Stockton. (The Downtown Stockton Alliance will be hosting an NNO event at Banner Island Ballpark.)

What does McFadden love about his job?

“I love the community…the roots run so deep here in Stockton. These are passionate people that are always willing to show up and they’re so in tune with the community.”

In Conclusion

This was a very informative episode of Talk to Downtown, and we encourage anyone interested in the Stockton community to check out the full interview. The DSA thanks Chief McFadden, and all at Stockton PD, for the amazing work they do keeping our community safe. We appreciate the time chief McFadden took to participate in this interview.

Other helpful information

For a crime in progress or emergency, call 9-1-1.
For non-emergency calls to Stockton PD: 209.937.8377
If you need to file a police report, here is the link.
To view the full interview with Chief Stanley McFadden, watch Episode 77 of Talk to Downtown on the DSA Youtube channel!
Stockton PD Headquarters: 22 E. Market Street, Stockton, CA
City Watch notifications: https://www.stocktonca.gov/services/police_department/online_services/city_watch_notifications.php
Community Crime Mapping: https://www.stocktonca.gov/services/police_department/online_services/community_crime_mapping.php

Talk to Downtown Episode 76 Blog: Gregory Diederich & Jennie Rodriguez, Community Medical Centers

Posted on May 18, 2026May 19, 2026 by Courtney Wood

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By: Courtney Wood

The latest Talk to Downtown episode featured guests Gregory Diederich, CEO of Community Medical Centers, and Jennie Rodriguez, Director of Development at Community Medical Centers. The interview was hosted by Downtown Stockton Alliance’s Courtney Wood. Read on to hear a few highlights from the interview. To watch the full podcast, click here.

What is the Mission of Community Medical Centers?

During the interview, Diederich shared that the mission of Community Medical Centers is “to ensure that people can access care regardless of income, insurance status, language or other individual circumstances.” He explained that most of those who receive care through Community Medical Centers have Medi-Cal or Medicare. CMC has medical care, dental care, behavioral health care, substance use services, and more. CMC strives to see the individual as a whole when creating treatment or care plans.

Background of the Guests

Prior to his time as the CEO of CMC, Gregory Diederich spent 10 years as Director of the San Joaquin Healthcare Services Agency, and 7 ½ years as Associate Director within the Stanislaus County Public Health System. He shared that he has 30 years of experience in the healthcare sector.

Jennie Rodriguez has been with CMC since 2019. She initially joined as a grants manager before coming into her current position as Director of Development. At one time, Rodriguez was a patient of CMC, so she is familiar with the client experience. Prior to CMC, Rodriguez worked in collaborative courts as a part of the SJ Superior Court System. She also spent time at The Record as a reporter.

What makes CMC So Important for Our Community?

Diederich shared “I think we play a stabilizing role in communities. We provide an access point for people who might otherwise fall through the cracks of a complex healthcare system, foregoing preventative care until they’re in crisis and need emergency intervention, or their disease status [has] progressed [to a point] where it’s more costly.”

What is Something You Think People Would be Surprised to Know About CMC?

“We’re not just health care,” Diederich insisted. He recounted a story about a young girl who came to CMC for a routine sports physical; during her exam, the pediatrician discovered an irregular heartbeat, which ultimately led to a diagnosis of Marfan Syndrome. If this had not been discovered and had gone untreated, the disease could have become life-threatening. He asserts that one of the key aspects of CMC is the fact that they can help people who may not otherwise have access to services receive treatment for conditions before they become critical issues. CMC can help with prevention and early detection, which means healthier and longer lives. During the interview, Diederich also shared a success story about a teen who had gone to CMC for counseling.

Rodriguez noted that people may not know that CMC was one of the organizations which “jumped into action” during the pandemic. She stated that “our staff really became… heroes to the community, to… get out there in the front lines.” She stressed that “we had a team of individuals through our Care Link Program that showed up literally every single day, Monday through Sunday… to local shelters to help screen individuals… to contain the situation.”

What Services Are Offered in Downtown Stockton?

As a community-focused organization, Diederich stressed the importance of CMC being located within the community they serve. Here are several of CMC’s locations, most of which are right here in Downtown Stockton:

747 Channel – Primary Care, Pediatrics, Women’s Health
201 N. Stanislaus – Respite Center, Substance Use Withdrawal Services
701 E. Channel – Family Medicine, Pharmacy, X-ray, Substance Use, Mental Health
545 W. Sonora – St. Mary’s

What’s a New Project Coming from Community Medical Centers?

There is a new Adolescent Health Center under construction; it is “designed specifically for teens and youth, ages 18 to 25.” This office, located at 701 E. Weber, Stockton, CA, will include medical care, behavioral services, prevention programs, and supportive services for that age group; it is slotted for completion by November of 2026.

Anything Else That the Guests Would Like People to Know?

Diederich said, “hopefully they understand that community health is fundamentally about dignity. There’s dignity in every human life and we honor and uplift that. At the end of the day, health care is not simply about treating illness, it’s about helping people live healthier, more stable, and… hopeful lives.”

Rodriguez noted, “We’re here to be a part of the community’s… solution to provide and ensure that people have the health care that they need.”

How Can You Access Services?

For medical services: 209.636.5400
For dental services: 209.636.5555
Website: cmcenters.org

Work for CMC:

Cmcenters.org/careers/

Donate to CMC:

https://communitymedicalcenters.networkforgood.com/projects/198038-communitymedical-center-inc-general-giving

Watch the Episode Here!

TALK TO DOWNTOWN: THE DOWNTOWN STOCKTON ALLIANCE PODCAST

Posted on March 2, 2026March 13, 2026 by Courtney Wood

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By: Courtney Wood

Have you ever watched the Downtown Stockton Alliance podcast, Talk to Downtown?

This series is intended to connect our business owners, property owners, visitors, and residents with the organizations, people, and resources which impact our community!

Read on to learn more about Talk to Downtown in this article by the podcast host and DSA staffer, Courtney Wood.

How Did The Idea for the Talk to Downtown Series Come About?

As a public-facing entity, the Downtown Stockton Alliance has fielded many questions over the years. We receive daily calls from people wanting all kinds of information. They want to know things like:

Is the Downtown Stockton Alliance a branch of the City of Stockton?

No. We are a 501 (c) 6 non-profit organization. We are not the City of Stockton.

How do I report a streetlight that is not working?

Use the City of Stockton’s tool Ask Stockton.

Who empties Downtown’s trash cans?

The Downtown Stockton Alliance.

Who can remove graffiti on buildings?

This is a private owner’s responsibility.

Who manages the sidewalk weeds?

The Downtown Stockton Alliance maintenance team.

Who has purview over parking spaces in Downtown Stockton?

The City of Stockton Economic Development Department.

Who manages the parking garages?

LAZ manages them through a contact with the City of Stockton.

How can I host an event at a City-owned venue?

Contact the City of Stockton Special Events Department: 209.937.8119

I have a small business. What resources are there for me?

The DSA has resources for Downtown Stockton small businesses here; you can also use this Entrepreneur Ecosystem Map or contact the City of Stockton Economic Development Department or the SJC Economic Development Department.

These are just a taste of the types of questions DSA staff typically fields. Some questions are related to things the DSA has purview over/has the ability to address, while other issues are completely outside our scope of work/must be directed to another organization/entity.

Given the frequent inquiries received by our office, in 2019, the DSA Executive Director and staff decided that it would be great to have a podcast series which would help clarify who exactly is responsible for what in our community; help people stay in the know about events or organizations that impact our Downtown; and help connect the community directly with the people who can answer their questions in a LIVE format. In a world of misinformation and misunderstanding, our podcast series could be a straightforward channel of transparency, fact, and clarity.

The Launch

We settled on a podcast name, chose a logo (thank you, Alex Arango!), arranged our first few guests, and launched Talk to Downtown in January of 2020 with an episode on the topic we were most often asked about – Parking. Our very first guest was Tina McCarty – at the time the Parking and Venue Manager at the City of Stockton; she is now the Economic Development Director at the City of Stockton. Although the first few episodes were in-person interviews at the DSA offices, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March led staff to shift to an online interview format which is still used today.

Since 2020, we have aired 74 episodes to date, with our most recent episode featuring Tony Mannor, Public Information Officer for the City of Stockton City Manager’s Office! As the host of Talk to Downtown, I have been lucky to interview so many interesting and informative guests. The podcast has evolved to include not only representatives of public agencies, but also non-profit representatives and independent individuals whose work has impacted Downtown Stockton.

Some of our guests are located within the Downtown Stockton PBID, while others may not be physically located in Downtown, but their work impacts the Downtown Stockton community – business owners, property owners, visitors, or residents – in some way. We aim for at least 12 episodes each year; our December episode always features the DSA Executive Director, Michael Huber, and an update on DSA’s services and yearly accomplishments. A full list of guests can be found below.

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

Tony Mannor, City of Stockton City Manager’s Office

The Interview

Each and every interview is its own, original experience.

Before the interview, I draft a list of questions for the guest touching upon the guest’s organization or projects, but also touching upon things I am curious about or that I think viewers may be interested to know. Guests receive my questions ahead of time so they are given a heads-up of the direction of the interview.

After my intro speech at the top of each episode, I give guests an opportunity to introduce themselves and explain their roles, ensuring listeners understand the context behind titles like ‘Senior Planner’ or ‘VP of Special Programs. My goal is to make the interview easy for someone from any background to understand.

Throughout the interview, it’s my goal to actively listen to the guest and build upon what they are saying if possible, which sometimes leads to additional questions that I hadn’t initially planned to ask. Each guest is unique in the energy they bring to the interview and their approach to being interviewed; some prepare their answers very thoroughly and type them up in advance, while others take a more “off the cuff” approach, creating their answers right there on the spot. I especially love when a guest has anecdotes or stories sprinkled throughout their answers, as it makes for a very fun, informative interview.

Going Live

Going live is an adventure each time! We’ve made changes to the streaming platform, camera, intro speech, lighting, and more over the years. We’ve also handled many tech issues and other difficulties; it’s all a part of the experience. We want viewers to have the chance to type in their questions for the guest directly, and maintaining a live format – no matter the challenges – is essential for providing that opportunity.

Tune In, Learn, & Ask Your Questions Live

I hope that everyone who has seen a Talk to Downtown episode has learned at least one new thing. I know I learn something from each guest, and am grateful to each and every one of them for taking the time to be on the podcast. There are so many resources, tools, and organizations in our community; I really enjoy being a part of getting that knowledge and information out to everyone – from how to access business resources, to how to contact your public officials, to understanding who is responsible for event permitting, to learning how zoning decisions are made, and beyond. Informed people are powerful people.

Talk to Downtown typically airs the 2^nd Wednesday of the month at 10:00 AM on the DSA Youtube, Facebook, and LinkedIn platforms. The next one will take place March 11^th.

I encourage anyone who is interested in local news or learning about local resources to tune in and ask your questions live!

Have a great day, Downtown!

Information

Talk to Downtown Playlist
Platforms: Youtube, Facebook, LinkedIn, & Spotify
Day: 2^nd Wednesday of the Month (typically)
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Latest Episode: Episode 74 with Tony Mannor, Public Information officer, City of Stockton City Manager’s Office