East San Jose neighbors rejoice as park gets new lighting

Residents in an East San Jose neighborhood are breathing a bit easier these days after their calls for better lighting at a city park finally were heard.

Children of the Rainbow Park, at Madden Avenue and Elodie Way, had been a haven for gangs and drug dealing at night, according to neighbors. Families feared the darkness at the park and would leave at dusk.

On Friday, after years of fighting, that fear subsided with the installation of four solar lights. The park now is lit up at night, and it's all because a few concerned residents decided to speak up.

Cecilio Villafana, president of the neighborhood association, says he saw the danger firsthand. He said it was a hot spot for gangs, a park where neighbors witnessed a deadly confrontation not long ago between rival gangs.

San Jose Cit