Responding to a recent string of robberies, Palo Alto police are inviting residents to a community meeting on Feb. 4 to discuss these incidents, go over the city's response and offer crime-prevention tips.
The discussion will include presentations from detectives on up-to-date crime statistics and overviews of the police department's response to recent crimes, including the Jan. 23 home-invasion robbery on Palo Alto Avenue and a recent spike in home and auto burglaries. They will also talk about the investigative process and discuss ways to recognize and promptly report suspicious behavior, according to the department's announcement.
Crime-prevention tips are also available at www.cityofpaloalto.org/StopCrime.
Ken Dueker, director of the city's Office of Emergency Services, will also make a presentation about the city's Emergency Services Volunteer program and talk about how residents can organize their neighborhoods to fight crime and prepare for natural disasters and other hazards.
The meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb. 4, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 250 Hamilton Ave.
Palo Alto - Crime Profile | FindTheBest
Comments
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 3, 2014 at 9:43 am
on Feb 3, 2014 at 9:43 am
Thanks for the educational tips, but please just do the police work and catch the bad guys.
Professorville
on Feb 3, 2014 at 10:28 am
on Feb 3, 2014 at 10:28 am
maybe part of doing "their job and catching the bad guys" is exactly the type of community education you seem to dismiss. But oh how nice it must be to be a police officer in Palo Alto where everyone believes themselves an expert on anything and everything...not to mention oh so superior the the police officers (and teachers and firemen and...........)
Greene Middle School
on Feb 3, 2014 at 10:35 am
on Feb 3, 2014 at 10:35 am
I really get tired of the arrogance of Palo Altans. I know of a PAPD officer who quit the force 15 years ago because he was fed up with the condescension and snide statements such as, "We pay our taxes - do your job!" Talk about shooting the messenger. Pay more taxes and get more police force in our city. Blame City Council for their mismanagement of dollars (think Mitchell Park Library, etc.) instead of blaming our law enforcement for not being at every corner when a crime strikes. I hope the children here aren't being raised to disrespect other human beings. I am grateful to our law enforcement who put their lives on the line everyday for us strangers.
Charleston Gardens
on Feb 3, 2014 at 10:55 am
on Feb 3, 2014 at 10:55 am
Agree Palo Alto Native. I used to know a lot of officers on the force and they have more horror stories about how they have been treated in this City by the locals than they experienced in the normal course of police duties. Thankless job, being a cop in Palo Alto.
another community
on Feb 3, 2014 at 12:48 pm
on Feb 3, 2014 at 12:48 pm
A thankless job being anything in Palo Alto that has to do with city government and operations.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 3, 2014 at 4:23 pm
on Feb 3, 2014 at 4:23 pm
> I am grateful to our law enforcement who put their lives on the
> line everyday for us strangers.
Life here in Palo Alto is not violent; the police officers generally don't have to worry about losing their lives when in the employ of Palo Alto.
It's clear that most of the property crimes--particularly those involving vehicles--are caused by carelessness on the part of the vehicle owners. However, the police here in Palo Alto have not been very pro-active in their use of surveillance technologies--giving the bad guys a bit of an opportunity to smash-and-grab other people's goodies. Nor has the Police been very proactive in terms of the use of bait-cars, laden with electronics that might prove attractive to these petty thieves.
When the police do catch the perpetrators of property-based crimes, it usually with the aid of other police departments, the FBI, credit card companies, and the surveillance cameras of private individuals and companies.
> Ken Dueker, director of the city's Office of Emergency Services, will also
> make a presentation about .. how residents can organize their
> neighborhoods to fight crime.
Wonder if there is any evidence of any organized neighborhoods here in Palo Alto where a lot of criminals have been captured because of some neighborhood that has been organized by Officer Deuker?
Palo Verde
on Feb 3, 2014 at 6:12 pm
on Feb 3, 2014 at 6:12 pm
>> "It's clear that most of the property crimes--particularly those involving vehicles--are caused by carelessness on the part of the vehicle owners."
Wow. Really sad commentary on one's expectations of humanity.
Crescent Park
on Feb 3, 2014 at 7:37 pm
on Feb 3, 2014 at 7:37 pm
Get real, "Wondering?"! Law enforcement everywhere are always risking their lives for public safety. We have outsiders endangering us all the time in Palo Alto, some of them armed. Just because this isn't Richmond or East LA, doesn't mean it's safe here at all hours. All that is needed is one crazy out-of-towner with a gun to kill someone.
Downtown North
on Feb 4, 2014 at 10:23 am
on Feb 4, 2014 at 10:23 am
Crime is up because City Council is converting Palo Alto into a huge city. Droves of outsiders and unfamiliar faces everywhere. There seems to be suspicious activity on most corners of downtown these days. It's sad that I have to watch my back every time I leave my house and walk our streets. It certainly wasn't like this 10 years ago.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 4, 2014 at 11:32 am
on Feb 4, 2014 at 11:32 am
> Law enforcement everywhere are always risking their lives for public safety
Really? How many police officers are killed in the line of duty every year?
> All that is needed is one crazy out-of-towner with a gun to kill someone.
Historically, here in Palo Alto, there have been very few violent crimes--maybe zero to three a year murders a year. And of those killed, very often the person killed was known to the killer--often a spouse.
Why not stick to facts?
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 4, 2014 at 11:43 am
on Feb 4, 2014 at 11:43 am
Out of control office development has ruined the City, destroying its
character, ambiance, scale and streetscapes, and created traffic congestion and gridlock and parking overflow into the neighborhoods. We also have a crime problem to go with it. We need to hire more motorcycle cops whose presence and visibility also function to deter crime. This should be a top priority of the City.But the policies and priorities of this City are so skewed in one direction and so irresponsible, the quality of life just keeps deteriorating.
Old Palo Alto
on Feb 4, 2014 at 1:00 pm
on Feb 4, 2014 at 1:00 pm
Regarding Wondering's negative comments about police officers, I would guess the number one answer why people don't choose to be police officers is: "I don't want to get killed." Location is irrelevent - police officers have to step in when everyone else is fearful. There is no safety in being a police officer anywhere. "I'd rather you just say 'thank you' and be on your way."
Southgate
on Feb 4, 2014 at 3:38 pm
on Feb 4, 2014 at 3:38 pm
been walking streets for 40 years....only saw one incident....amazing record huh?? so much for ''not enough police'.
Santa Rita (Los Altos)
on Feb 4, 2014 at 3:41 pm
on Feb 4, 2014 at 3:41 pm
and you dont think its fearful being in public and your not risking your own life ? the average person is at even more risk than a armed cop. there are people who dont have arms of any type and you think theyre not risking their life? its that overvaluation of authority that is a main problem in the world .america especially.
Palo Alto High School
on Feb 4, 2014 at 4:16 pm
on Feb 4, 2014 at 4:16 pm
Was any mention made of bike thefts?
It is hard when thinking of stealing from a child. Can you imagine how a 13 year old petite girl feels when about to leave school with her heavy backpack and instrument and discovers her bike stolen? Apart from then having to trek to the office to report the crime, she is then left with an almost 3 mile walk home from school carrying her backpack and instrument.
These bike thefts at our schools must be stopped.
Old Palo Alto
on Feb 4, 2014 at 5:39 pm
on Feb 4, 2014 at 5:39 pm
Never dreamed when I moved here a few years ago that crime would ever get to the level it is now. We moved here for better schools and lower crime levels. Both have gotten worse. Where can we go now?
Downtown North
on Feb 4, 2014 at 11:45 pm
on Feb 4, 2014 at 11:45 pm
I know one thing for sure - if we put Officer Amadeo in charge of this robbery trend it will get solved for real! I don't know who makes the decisions on these matters, but I'm confident Officer Amadeo would solve this problem. Run and tell that!
Palo Verde
on Feb 5, 2014 at 9:46 am
on Feb 5, 2014 at 9:46 am
Well, did anyone go to the meeting? (I did not, but have attended others.)