The Palo Alto Police Department will receive nearly $5.2 million from the State of California to combat organized retail theft, as part of a massive $270 million statewide effort announced today by the Board of State and Community Corrections.
The Police Department applied for the grant in early July in an effort to enhance its ability to deter and apprehend criminals who visit Palo Alto retailers with the intent to commit burglary shoplifts, robberies, and other crimes. The majority of the funds, which total $5,176,812, will allow the Police Department to staff extra patrols of high-density retail areas like the Stanford Shopping Center and downtown Palo Alto for the next three years. Some of these extra patrols will come in the form of undercover operations. Officers will also be able to devote more resources towards combatting auto theft, as organized retail theft suspects often use stolen vehicles while committing their crimes.
The funds will also provide for the installation of new technology on patrol cars that will allow officers to remotely affix a GPS tag to suspect vehicles, allowing police to monitor its location if the driver chooses to flee from an attempted car stop.
During the grant application process, the Police Department received support from the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, the management of the Stanford Shopping Center, and Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen.
“We are grateful for the state’s generous support, and we look forward to using the funds to enhance community safety here in Palo Alto,” said Chief Andrew Binder of the Palo Alto Police Department. “We are also deeply appreciative of our ongoing partnership with our retail community and the support we received from the Chamber of Commerce, the Stanford Shopping Center, and District Attorney Rosen.”
In the coming weeks, the Police Department will be seeking City Council authorization to receive the state funds and to proceed with the purchase of the patrol car technology.
The Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) is a state agency dedicated to providing leadership in the planning, development, and implementation of policies and programs in the areas of public safety, community corrections, and juvenile justice in California. Through strategic partnerships and innovative initiatives, the BSCC works to enhance the quality of life for all Californians by promoting safe and thriving communities. For more information about the BSCC, visit their website.
For information about these grants from Governor Gavin Newsom, read the news release his office distributed earlier this week.
