HISTORY ABOUT EAST PALO ALTO THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT!!
In 1983-2000 East Palo Alto struggled to stay afloat financially. Before 1983, the unincorporated region relied on San Mateo County resources and the Sheriff's Office to fight crime. Post-incorporation presented its own set of struggles, as the city grappled with revenue issues. Shortages in funding coupled with a historically poor community hurt by blockbusting policies translated to high rates of violent crime and gang violence as the end of the millennium drew near. The area experienced erratic growth and frequent conflict, particularly between different ethnicities. The crack epidemic decimated the city, particularly the predominantly African American population. By 1992, the city had gained a reputation of being the U.S. "murder capital" and was the nation's leader in per capital murders that year with 42 for a population of just 24,000.
East Palo Alto Police Department had switched towards a community-based policing strategy. A succession of several successful mayors and chiefs of police encouraged community-police relations and strengthened bonds between faith-based groups, organizations, and law enforcement. These bonds helped re-instill public confidence in law enforcement and drove down violent crime. During the same period, several extensive federal gang crackdowns occurred that also contributed to the decrease in crime. Assisting with the crime reduction was a so-called "explosion" of development. Replacing old bars, liquor stores, and shops was a sprawling shopping center, a Four Seasons Hotel, and office buildings. The changes mentioned above played a significant role in considerable crime reduction in East Palo Alto. By 2017, violent crime had dropped more than 60% from 1990 levels and murders had fallen from 42 in 1992 to 1 in 2017, a decrease of more than 97%.
East Palo Alto witnessed a 25.8% growth in population between the years 1990-2000. African Americans, whose numbers previously composed a majority of the racial demographics during previous decades, comprise a much smaller share of the population now. The Hispanic community, on the other hand, witnessed a 103.42% increase. In the year 1990, the Hispanic population stood at roughly 8,527, and by 2002 it had reached 17,346.
Hispanics and African Americans remain as the two largest racial groups, with Hispanics making up 61.1% of the population and African Americans about 15.6%. There is also a large Pacific Islander population, comprising 10.9% of the population and contributing to the remarkable diversity of East Palo Alto.
Poverty in East Palo Alto has been in a slow but steady decline. In 2010, 21% of families lived below poverty levels. Six years later, that number lowered to 16.6% and a year later to 13.7%. Improvements in these numbers might partially be attributable to the non-profit and church organizations in the area whose efforts focus towards addressing poverty. The City of East Palo Alto was originally home to Ohlone and Costanoan Native Americans. Eventually, Spanish Ranchers took over, followed by an influx of speculators and settlers. During the mid-to-late 1800s, entrepreneur Isaiah Woods attempted to turn the area into a shipping town. Later, Lester Cooley built a brick factory in the area now known as Cooley's Landing that turned the town into a manufacturing region for some time.
East Palo Alto struggled to stay afloat financially. Before 1983, the unincorporated region relied on San Mateo County resources and the Sheriff's Office to fight crime. As the city grappled with revenue issues. Shortages in funding coupled with a historically poor community hurt by blockbusting policies translated to high rates of violent crime and gang violence as the end of the millennium drew near. The area experienced erratic growth and frequent conflict, particularly between different ethnicities. The crack epidemic decimated the city, particularly the predominantly African American population. By 1992, the city had gained a reputation of being the U.S. "murder capital" and was the nation's leader in per capital murders that year with 42 for a population of just 24,000. The Police Department's well-documented cases of corruption and misconduct only diminished relations between residents and law enforcement, perpetuating violence.
With several improvements in East Palo Alto there have also come new challenges. Property prices have increased to 800,000 and above, placing a strain on residents and causing many to leave the area. East Palo Alto faces challenges such as gentrification, housing, and education.
