East Palo Alto Reallots Crime-Fighting Funds Toward Prison Realignment Plan
EAST PALO ALTO (KCBS) – East Palo Alto is poised to spend a major part of its annual anti-crime parcel tax revenue on administering the state's new realignment program to ease prison overcrowding. The violence prevention program in effect since the Measure C tax began in 2007 has largely been seen as ineffective.
Measure C raises $750,000 a year, with half going to various anti-crime and social service agencies, and the other half going to police. Mayor Carlos Romero says fewer agencies will be funded next year, and they'll have to have proven track records.
"We want to reduce violence and crime in the city," said Romero. "But not with bullets and batons, but with social programs and mentoring."
KCBS' Tim Ryan Reports:
Police Chief Ron Davis expects 150 felons or more to return to East Palo Alto next year.
"We're preventing layoffs and maintaining capacity, and we're addressing a significant concern for our community, which is a high recidivism rate," said Davis.
Romero hopes to leverage the Measure C funds through public and private crime fighting grants. A report recommending which programs to fund goes to the city council on the 20th.
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