I would suggest the Police Department of Palo Alto should take a more proactive approach when dealing with all the recent crimes. e.g. patroling at night and stop and question anybody who is supsicious.

While I appreciate those who want a greater police presence, I don't like the implications. We aren't a community that needs men with guns wandering around, are we? Why not instead get to know your neighbors better? Why not use this as an opportunity to bond more closely with those living near you? Asking someone who lives nearby to keep an eye on your home when you're out - just stopping in, say, at random during the day - or requesting a companion on a walk if you're worried, would be far preferable than using police resources to patrol the neighborhoods. Healthy communities rarely have to deal with robberies and muggings, and the more was can do to create healthy communities here, the less we'll have to worry about such things.

Instead of increasing patrolmen why doesn't the PD increase it's detective staff. These guys have to be unloading there ill gotten gains somewhere. The flea markets would be a good place to start. Anyone who buys merchandise from an individual is also just adding fuel to the fire.

Why not step up the patrolling in the neighborhoods?! What I mean is why react to crime once it has occurred when you can be proactive and discourage crime by having your Police officers patrolling. I think our Police Chief has it all wrong by having the Motorcycle force out on Alma handing out speeding tickets (today July 4th 1PM) when they should instead be patrolling the neighborhoods. With all the robberies in the past 6 months I'd rather have them patrolling the streets where "would be" criminals would see them and be discouraged instead of having the Police hand out speeding tickets on Alma.
Come on Lynn Johnson, what are you doing?

Instead of pointing fingers and expecting the police to do everything-it is time to gather together as a community and help patrol our neighborhoods ourselves. It doesn't take that long when there is enough volunteers and is fairly safe when there are two people.
It is way too easy to bemoan our saftey or expect the police to do more-when with a little effort from many-we could deal with this threat.
Let's be pro-active about this and take back our community!

For those who think Palo Alto used to be low-crime - that isn't true. All cities have crime problems, including violent crimes, and Palo Alto is no exception. To behave as though you're immune to crime because you live in Palo Alto is foolish and make you the perfect potential victim.

I do not know the statistics on crimes in P.A. I know that about 7 months ago, a friend in Mountain View had his truck broken into. He called the Mountain View PD. He told me that the patrol officer said that their has been a tremendous increase in car thefts in the Mtn View area for about 4 weeks.

I guess the criminials figured Palo Alto had more $ available. My mom doesn't lock her car or home. She has told me, "What are you talking about, look around you, there is no crime in this area".

In March, I was talking with another friend, he had walked outside his house, (near Bryant/Middlefield), he witnessed 2 men coming out of a house as if they were moving out. He immediately called the police. He only got a partial license plate #. He told me later, he saw a policeman he knew, he asked what was going on with the investigation. The officer told him they wanted him to come in to make a statement, that his 'partial ID' of the license plate helped them to locate the individuals, (E.PA residents).

So, the Police know this is going on...does anyone have any information on how to start a Community Watch program? I am wondering if this is something we have to contact the police about, (I'm sure most of you have seen those Neighborhood Watch signs in some communites). Sad, that so many have paid millions for homes they THOUGHT were safe, but it is not. Palo Alto is not Nirvana.