East Palo Alto, a small city in California, was known in 1992 as the “murder capital” of the United States.
According to the city’s Police department, East Palo Alto had zero homicides in 2023.
Law enforcement leaders, residents, and city officials attribute the turnaround to a mix of circumstances, including community policing, more job opportunities, programs for youth, increased development, and time. Although gentrification has occurred, with the median household income experiencing a drastic increase and housing prices rising, it’s not seen as a singular solution to the city’s problems.
The history of East Palo Alto, home to over 28,000 people, has been shaped by the flight of Black families to the area during redlining in the 60s. By the ’90s, about 17% of the population lived in poverty, often attributed to the crack cocaine epidemic that demoralized families.
At the time, the majority of homicides were tied to drug dealers and gang members fighting over territory. The city’s incorporation in 1983 after years of neglect by the San Mateo County government paved the way for significant changes in East Palo Alto.
East Palo Alto also has undergone significant gentrification – with tech companies in surrounding areas flourishing.
Though the changes has improved quality of life the resulting, higher housing prices have left some low-income residents feeling pushed out.
