There are some little things people can do that would help, I think, and they certainly don't include carrying a gun. Taking a class in self-defense is a good start. Also, just basic common sense: If you REALLY need to get to an ATM at 2 a.m., find one that's well lit and try not to go alone. I don't think this issue so much is about buckling to fear, but rather not giving thieves an opportunity. Lock your car and remove valuables before leaving it for long periods of time or in questionable areas. Lock your home's windows and doors at night. As an almost lifelong martial-artist, I can't stress enough the value of self-defense. A good class can not only teach you moves that can help avert a violent crime, but also instill confidence. But, more than anything else, avoiding thefts and violent crimes is about being aware of your surroundings and using good common sense.

that ATM at midtown is probably the shadiest ATM in town. it's isolated & dark and you're just asking for trouble to even be in that situation at 2 am.

"spate of crime"!????? 128 is more then a SPATE, its crazy.

read this:
Seven more burglaries in Palo Alto this week (june 26th)
The spate of residential burglaries in Palo Alto is continuing, with seven additional ones this week, Sgt. Sandra Brown said. There have been 128 such burglaries in the city this year, 54 since the beginning of April, which have occurred throughout the city.

There have also been 244 auto burglaries this year, where locked cars have been broken into, and 92 thefts from unlocked cars.

In three of the seven latest residential burglaries, entry was made through an unlocked door or window, Brown said.

Five of the seven residential burglaries were in south Palo Alto: 2900 block Ramona Street, 2200 block Ramona Street, 100 block Roosevelt Circle, 300 block Maclane Avenue and 300 block El Verano Avenue. The other two were both in the 300 block of Hawthorne Avenue.

Brown said the police are asking residents to call 911 when anything suspicious is seen. “Notify close neighbors when leaving for extended periods of time,” she said. Get to know your neighbors and their daily habits. Be a good witness and write down license numbers and physical descriptions of suspicious persons. And, most important, contact the police as soon as possible when crimes occur.”