Written by Bay City News
East Palo Alto Police Chief Ron Davis on Monday called an end to a three-week crime emergency he declared in response to a sudden increase in gang violence.
Since the emergency went into effect on May 20, there has been only one shooting reported in East Palo Alto, which police said was accidental and self-inflicted.
"The Crime Emergency has ended, but our sense of urgency and resolve in stemming violence in our community has not," Davis said in a statement.
The number of patrol officers deployed throughout the community during peak hours -- which doubled during the crime emergency -- will return to prior levels.
The Police Department pledged to continue fighting gang activity in the community by coordinating prevention efforts with neighboring law enforcement agencies, faith-based organizations, local probation departments and service providers, Davis said.
Overall, crime in East Palo Alto has decreased by 15 percent compared to this time last year, according to statistics released by the Police Department.
A recent increase in homicides and shootings -- including a May 5 shooting at a bus stop that injured a six-year-old girl, her grandmother and four others -- was attributed to an internal feud in the Norteno gang.
The fatal shooting of 15-year-old Jose Quinonez on May 19 was believed to be connected to the same street gang. Police have since arrested 27 people in East Palo Alto and San Mateo County and part of its gang crackdown, at least 10 of which were known members of the Nortenos, officials said. Davis said that violence prevention efforts will continue "with a renewed sense of urgency," and that the department hopes to achieve the "bold goal" of no more murders for the remainder of 2013.
Copyright © 2013 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
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