East Palo Alto has come a long way since 1992. But its recovery is still in an early phase. Although the community came together to drive drug dealers off the streets, the trade still goes on behind closed doors, residents say. The city's 17 block clubs remain vigilant. We can't go back into the woodwork now.
Troubles persist in the police department.
A San Mateo County civil grand jury recommended in December that the county take over policing duties. Its report documented low morale, internal strife and complaints from citizens of police abuse and incompetence. While the overall crime rate in East Palo Alto has declined since 1992, assaults have risen, and the number of annual murders inched up to six by December 1 of this year, with another nine killed in a single arson incident. Alleged gang activity hit the headlines when five men from East Palo Alto were charged with beating NASA scientist Herbert Kay to death as he took an evening stroll through downtown Palo Alto. The city remains an anomaly among the predominantly upper-income suburbs of San Mateo and Santa Clara County.