Palo Alto, CA --

At the City Council meeting tonight, Police Chief Lynne Johnson will provide an update to the Council and the community on the initial results of “Palo Alto Safe Neighborhoods” initiative that was launched by Mayor Judy Kleinberg at a press conference on August 10.

While Palo Alto saw an increase in residential and auto burglaries, robberies, and stolen vehicles beginning in January, crime rates have steadily decreased.

Specifically, robberies have decreased by 42 percent (seven compared to 12 in the second quarter); residential burglaries by 63 percent (26 compared to 65 in the second quarter); auto burglaries by 63 percent (46 compared to 125 in the second quarter); and thefts from auto by 61 percent (28 compared to 71).

The decrease in crime rates is attributed to the initiative's Citywide efforts that included:

• additional officers on patrol in cars and on bicycles in the neighborhoods;
• increased awareness and involvement by residents in Neighborhood Watch;
• firefighters presence in the neighborhoods in their fire rigs; and
• Utility and Public Works crews who had received training in how to spot and report suspicious activity serving as additional eyes and ears as they go about their normal work assignments.

The extra efforts by the Police Department have resulted in a 63 percent increase in the number of property crime arrests compared to the same time last year.

“The Police Chief said she'd mobilize all our resources to make Palo Alto neighborhoods safer and she's done it,” said Mayor Kleinberg. “The dramatic drop in neighborhood crime is cause for high praise for our Police Department and all the City staff who joined the effort. The early success of this initiative shows what's possible when we combine increased police action, a multi-department mobilization, and increased awareness by residents and business owners.'

###