Crime concerns grow on Midpeninsula Crime concerns grow on Midpeninsula (August 10, 2005)

By David Boyce

Almanac Staff Writer

Violent crime seems to be on the increase -- particularly in East Palo Alto, where several gunshot incidents Thursday night resulted in the city's eighth homicide in 2005 with the shooting death of a 16-year-old boy.

But although Menlo Park has had several armed robberies in July -- including one reported in the parking garage under Kepler's bookstore -- and two occasions when police were called to respond to the sound of gunshots, these incidents are probably not related to gang violence happening "all up and down the Peninsula," said Undersheriff Greg Munks of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.

"Generally speaking, the stuff that's going on with these gangs is not targeting regular citizens," said Mr. Munks. "Innocent people do get caught up in the crossfire. That's one of the problems associated with this phenomenon."

The violence in East Palo Alto is a definite concern nevertheless. "Any time people are victims of violence, it affects the whole community," said Mr. Munks. "We're operating on the belief that this much violence, this much shooting, this many people driving around with guns in their cars is unacceptable."

Asked about the relationship of the upswing of violence in East Palo Alto with the July armed robberies in Menlo Park, Menlo Park Police Chief Chris Boyd said Menlo Park's crime rate has been flat compared with last year's, that he considers the two cities to be "all one community," and that Menlo Park officers assist their East Palo Alto counterparts just about every night.

Over the weekend, the Sheriff's Office sent six extra patrol cars to East Palo Alto, bringing the total to about 14, said Mr. Munks. "The idea after Thursday was just to flood the town with cars," he said. Police made 38 traffic stops and several arrests on outstanding warrants.

Peninsula law enforcement chiefs met Monday, August 8, for their regular monthly get-together. Among the topics were long-term strategies for dealing with gang violence, which could include tougher scrutiny of parolees and periodic joint operations aided by funds from the Sheriff's Office to help pay for overtime, said Mr. Munks.

The number of gang members in the county jail is "putting a tremendous burden" on the jail, he said, given that the group cells were never meant to house inmates with serious rivalries.

An important component of anti-gang efforts is to provide after-school alternatives such as sports, camping trips and arts-and-crafts programs for teens vulnerable to the allure of gangs, particularly kids whose parents have two or three jobs, said Mr. Munks.

As for residents of Menlo Park, Atherton, Woodside and Portola Valley, Mr. Munks did not recommend any changes in behavior other than to report suspicious activity by calling either 911 or, to remain anonymous, 800-547-2700.

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