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Seven arrested in East Palo Alto drug sting
Officers from four jurisdictions team up to create climate of fear among potential buyers of crack cocaine

Posted by good citizen of EPA, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Jun 17, 2009 at 10:12 am

Good job folks. We need more of these stings. As some may know there are several suspected hot spots.

Thank you all.

Posted by Darwin, a resident of another community, on Jun 17, 2009 at 3:08 pm

For the life of me I'll never understand why we go after users instead of dealers. It's a big headline, but small payout. Big waste of police resources if you ask me.

Posted by J Galt, a resident of the Fairmeadow neighborhood, on Jun 17, 2009 at 4:43 pm

Darwin,

Publicity following hitting buyers will dry up business for the dealers. No customers, no dealers. QED

Posted by Darwin, a resident of another community, on Jun 17, 2009 at 5:28 pm

J Galt,

I don't want to sound mean or sarcastic, but if you think an addict who got arrested for a crack possession offense is going to stop people from buying or selling, then you're living in a fantasy world.

Not only that, but we're taxing an already overcrowded prison system with drug users. USERS.

Posted by Margaret, a resident of the College Terrace neighborhood, on Jun 17, 2009 at 8:59 pm

What a terrible waste. One of the three arrested was a thin quiet 65 year old woman who does no-one any harm. She smokes a little crack, a little marijuana. She lives in a tent, in a field, and keeps herself to herself. She is charming, polite, well-educated, and looks out for her friends. Now she is incarcerated for who knows how long, costing taxpayers money and losing her precious freedom. She is small potatoes. But it is harder to go after the big guys, right? more tricky, more dangerous, smaller numbers which doesn't meet political needs. Officers from four jurisdictions - oh, please. Don't waste my money - for three people.

Posted by Anonymous, a resident of the Palo Alto Hills neighborhood, on Jun 17, 2009 at 10:23 pm

I think the police are doing a good job. I will be detered from coping at that store in EPA. The sting was to deter buyers and it is working. I should be arrested many times already. I am lucky but my luck will run out if I continue. The cops know whats up so just trust them to keep it safe as they can and stay out of there way.

I am going to get help and move into a sober living house for more support so I don't have a felony follow me for the rest of my entire life.

Posted by Anonymous, a resident of the Palo Alto Hills neighborhood, on Jun 17, 2009 at 10:44 pm

People - Addiction is not only for the uneducated. I have a degree from a UC college and battle crack. I work also. I want to keep it and also NOT get busted. So, I stay clean. However, sometimes (recently) I used for two nights. Im lucky not to get arrested for my frequent trips for more rocks.

Buyer Beware. Thats for me to stay clean. Thanks PD. Your still my heroes even if I break the law like a stupid fricken idiot.

Posted by Another resident, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Jun 17, 2009 at 11:04 pm

Margaret,

So, you would rather have the old lady keep living in a tent in the field? Why do you think she is homeless and thin? Probably because she is hooked on crack and whenever she gets a little money to buy food, she buys crack instead. If she gets some treatment, it would do her good; might prolong her life. There is a treatment center one block away, but she would rather live in a tent and do crack. Crack is addictive and destructive. The police did her a favor. Hopefully she will get some treatment as part of her sentence.

If you read the article, it says they got 3 arrests in just a few hours. That it is pretty good. 5 years is way too long for this kind of thing. Years ago, the Daily would publish the names of people arrested for buying. They should do that again. That would REALLy make people think twice.

Good job EPA police. The users are the fuel for the dealers. Drugs are mostly social. The vast majority of users are young, pre-addicts. Hopefully, this will scare a few, and keep them out of EPA. No, its not THE solution, but it will help.

Posted by JustMe, a resident of the Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood, on Jun 17, 2009 at 11:06 pm

I am not opposed to going after the addicts who fund the drug problem. One must always ask the question about where these people get the money to finance their expensive "hobby". I think it is wrong to try to characterize the addicts as "harmless", they often seem anything but innocent victims to me, especially when they ransack my car.

Going after the supply chain and the manufacturing would be preferable to me, but as long as people are buying, the sellers will be there, ever regenerating to replace the ones law enforcement or warefare removes. As with all supply and demand illegal activities, you need to kill the demand.

Posted by Anon, a resident of the Palo Alto Hills neighborhood, on Jun 17, 2009 at 11:08 pm

This is to Margaret. How about I come rob you for some crack rocks? Maybe slam you on the ground and take your watch for a 20 piece?

Still not your problem now? How about you keep paying for treatment centers and homeless programs instead of dealing with the problem. How about you keep paying for food stamps and more than half is spent on drugs and alcohol for people.

Yeah. Drugs is not "your" problem. Wait until you wake up. I did hopefully.

Posted by Hmmm, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Jun 17, 2009 at 11:09 pm

This is a huge waste of resources and time, for small potatoes. On the other hand, the dealers and addicts on the streets have to be dealt with, as they contribute greatly, overall, to street crime. W/summer here, more people hanging out, hot days coming soon, and the poor economy, street crime will worsen. Hey, donate $$ to 1EPA's summer jobs program for youth, or volunteer to be a mentor! Mentoring is a summer commitment, supporting a young person in the jobs program. Check out this link for more info Web Link

Posted by Donald, a resident of Stanford, on Jun 17, 2009 at 11:16 pm

The cops should use some racial profiling in these busts. Targeting local homeless people is pretty silly. The cops should go after rich out-of-towners and confiscate their fancy cars.

Posted by tired of the bs, a resident of another community, on Jun 17, 2009 at 11:40 pm

Margaret, are you gonna feel the same way when that thin old lady breaks into your car and steals your iPod?

Donald, the police targeted drug users. Although there are some affluent crack smokers, it is considered one of the lowest forms of drug use and there are not a lot of "rich out-of-towners" with fancy cars who smoke crack.

You two are typical of those who don't want EPA to evolve and improve. You want EPA to just stay the same, what are you afraid of?

Posted by Anon, a resident of the Palo Alto Hills neighborhood, on Jun 17, 2009 at 11:52 pm

This is a good topic for me.

I am a resident temporarily here. I have a nice car; "fancy."

I binge use crack from EPA. I buy on the street. Not smart; but that's what I did sometimes.

My car should be taken from me. I don't deserve this privelege now.

I can take the bus to work.

Why do some black folks feel that the white man is "afraid od something changing?" I've heard this before. It sounds very rascist. By the way, have you noticed we have a black president now. Maybe you should start thinking of another way to express your rascism.

Posted by Cynthia, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Jun 18, 2009 at 2:33 am

This is for Anon, for your info, a large portion of drug buyers in this town look just like you. You're probably one of them, in the closet.

As for the old lady, I know her personally. She used to be a DJ and own a nice house in South Palo Alto, she hated people from EPA and didn't want them in her home, until a young man got a hold of her and brought her off her pedestal. Anon, you'd better continue to hide at home behind your computer, cause you just gave me an idea! Thanks for sharing!

Posted by midtown resident, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Jun 18, 2009 at 8:42 am

Great, now the sellers and buyers are going to move somewhere else do to their business. Guess what city they are going to chose because of closeness. You are right Palo Alto. The drug dealers and buyers will not stop operations they are just going to move to a different location.

At least the police officer will be busy for a while and then go back to give hard time to drivers.

Posted by JustMe, a resident of the Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood, on Jun 18, 2009 at 9:52 am

Back in the days when the Apple II was the best home computer you could buy, I had a friend with one and we would share information on games and programs and resources. He was a real smart guy, reading up on stuff, figuring out new tricks on the Apple Ii, stuff like that.

I remember a phone conversation we had once where he referred to a brother who got popped for cocaine use, and I made a disparaging remarkabout the wisdom of getting involved with drugs. My friend brought me up short telling me he used them too, but they were under control. All I could do was shudder inwardly, any logic I could present was brushed aside.

After some time we stopped seeing each other, times changed, we moved on. Then I bumped into him again after several years. He was sitting on a sidewalk in a small shopping center with a cardboard sign asking for change. His usage was apparently no longer under control. I feel so bad for him, but he made his choices.

I am reminded of my friend ever time someone successful-sounding confesses occasional use of drugs, how long until they are sitting on a sidewalk asking for change? I loath highly-addictive recreational drugs, I loath the manufacturers of them and the dealers who encourage their use. I feel sorry for the users, they are being used, and while some may escape or die of other things before the drugs get them, the odds are not good. I don't mind a "can you control this" challenge, but not when I have to bet my life and my family on the outcome.

Anyone involved in meth manufacture and/or distribution I regard as a direct threat to my kids, and those people can be shot on sight as far as I am concerned.

Posted by Anon, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Jun 18, 2009 at 10:02 am

I just pray that more of these busts take place. We can't change the world in one day, but piece-by-piece, progress can be made.

Posted by YSK, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Jun 18, 2009 at 11:07 am

Seriously, why all the debate. Whether buyer or seller, the law is being broken, and the people breaking the law are being arrested. I'm glad! The one thing that struck me is the ages of these people. All old enough to know better. I hope the cops start targeting the big allowance kids who go over there to buy. Time to rock their entitled little worlds with a reality of a whole different sort.

Going after the users is the same as going after johns. Did you know that in the 70's along El Camino in the South End there was prostitution; both massage parlors and streetwalkers? Palo Alto had a huge sting operation and in practically one night, wiped that out. Sure, some of that may still exist, but nothing like what it was. If it's there, it's invisible now.

As to the person who made the comment about giving drivers a 'bad time', I hope that continues as well. In the last two months, there have been 3 hit and runs. Losers hitting, and in one case, practically totalling parked cars while they race through our neighborhoods. And those are just the 3 I know about.

There are all kinds of people out there breaking the law. It's an equal opportunity pastime. Let there be arrests of both the suppliers and the users.

Anon, you know better. Addiction CAN be overcome. Get help. Every damn day if you need it. Don't be a fool. Doing drugs and risking it all is just plain stupid. You also risk your life everytime you make a buy. I too know a Palo Altan who took that route. She was raped more than onbce when making buys, she started stealing to get money to buy, she lost her kids, cars, home, everything. Eventually did 4 stretches in state prison with the worst of the worst, and is now living in a halfway house, a felon working in a minimum wage job in a strange city far from here, her children adopted out. She will never see them again. She has to budget to buy a small luxury like make up. Her life nowhere near resembles the life she had before. Stop using before this happens to you!

Posted by JustMe, a resident of the Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood, on Jun 18, 2009 at 1:06 pm

YSK, not all laws should be enforced just because they are on the books, even drug laws. While I am VERY anti-drug, I can see a need for medicinal marijuana, and I believe that should be allowed and controlled. However, I know where you are coming from and for the most part I agree with you about enforcing drug laws.

I also want to believe that addictions can be kicked, but I have to question if the reality exists. I know meth has a horribly high addiction rate, which is why I loath it so strongly. Other drugs are also highly addictive, and I question if I could kick any of those if I were addicted. I chose not to challenge myself in that regard, thankfully. However, I have to have some sympathy for those poor people who are addicted, it is a VERY tough row to hoe. The best course of action would be to help prevent more from becoming addicted, and that means going after channels that get drugs to new users and encourage them to stupidly indulge.

Posted by the watcher, a resident of another community, on Jun 18, 2009 at 5:54 pm

While the arrest seem to be well and good in getting the dealers and users (temperarily) off the street. What the fark! The core of the problem keeps getting passed over. When I read an article, or view television news coverage of a "drug king pin" being arrested while transporting the drugs into key areas in or outside of E.Palo Alto, then I'll feel that my tax monies are being used for the good of the community.

What's happening with this ongoing crack epidemic is so similiar to the alcohol epideimic pressed upon the native Americans and the opium epidemic pressed upon the Chinese via (early) Hong Kong history.

Guns are not manufactured in E.P.A., crack-cocaine and other various drugs are not produced in that area. Yet the drug-ridden zombies get almost all of the news coverage. This only goes to re-inforce the stereo-type image of poor-blacks and hispanics, especially to the upper middle-class folk.

I dare the law enforcement institutions to join hands and get grant monies to go after the "big dogs" drug sellers and produce a paper trail of how these drugs are getting into the urban blight areas throughout the bay area and put a major stop to the drug problems in our state's poor (minority) communities. Then I'll say "well done." Until that time, it's just like putting a piece of cheap scotch tape over a bullet wound and expecting the blood to stop flowing.

Posted by Yes, but, a resident of the The Greenhouse neighborhood, on Jun 18, 2009 at 7:22 pm

Attacking the core of the problem is a good idea. But the organization behind this appears to be able to easily take out the whole PA police force, along with myriad legal and government actors, and innocents.

We'd need state and federal help.

While that would seem expensive, in my opinion success actually would save the city and state money; maybe enough to balance the state budget.

Posted by Anon, a resident of the Palo Alto Hills neighborhood, on Jun 18, 2009 at 10:35 pm

Thanks for the straight talk. My sponsor was too busy; besides he's cured and won't really understand. He found God. Good for him I say. He's got 8 yrs. clean. I've got a day. I worked 8 hrs. and blew it all in 2 hrs. I hate my life with crack. SO, why ?

I can't talk myself out of it. When does a gambler cut his losses?

When he has no more money. I think the worst part of being homeless and broke is the negative thinking and the poor me attitude. I just truly despise myself. I'm a liar and a bad son. I'm a shitty friend and a bad brother. At least I have good military service and for now a totally clean criminal record.

Thanks for letting me vent to you. God Bless.

Posted by Cynthia, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Jun 18, 2009 at 11:45 pm

This is for Anon, I respect your honesty. However, your posts are confusing because you say you smoke crack-but when commenting on others usage you seem to distance yourself in a different category? An addict is an addict, no matter what the addiction, crack, sex, food, alcohol. They all have one thing in common-destruction if out of control. I used to be an addict. Clean and sober for over 18 years, that's why I have compassion and I believe in tough love. You need to get off your computer and get to as many meetings as possible, don't try to give advice until you have been abstinet for at least a year. God Bless and Good Luck!

Posted by JustMe, a resident of the Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood, on Jun 19, 2009 at 10:23 am

What I believe:

1) You are never cured of your addiction, it is a lifelong monkey on your back.

2)If you start to think you are cured, you are fooling yourself and beginning to give into it again.

3) There is no giving in "just a little" to an addiction, you either cave or don't cave in to it.

4) Fighting an addiction is one of the hardest things you will ever do, only the truly strong can resist.

5) The best way to deal with addiction is to not become addicted in the first place by staying away from addictive things.

6) I don't know if I am strong enough to fight an addiction, I am glad my only addiction is coffee. I know I cannot give up coffee, but at least it is not killing me.

7) When someone tells me they do drugs a little, "but it is under control", I never believe them. The drugs are too insideous and the rest of their life is too long for the drugs to gain the upper hand. It's just a matter of time.

8) People who introduce children to drugs are among the lowest forms of life on the planet and need to be stopped by any means it takes. There is no compassion I can develop for them, no level of tolerance I can find, no excuse to justify it.

Posted by See it now, a resident of the Ventura neighborhood, on Jun 19, 2009 at 11:08 am

Can't you see how this is REALLY played out??? It all starts at the top........SOMEBODY has to put the money into it to manufacture and distribute all these drugs.......hey, how about that Olie North character of yesteryears?? Flyin stuff in....... etc. On OUR money!

Then there are the judges...humm...Well, all the above just gives jobs to the controlling jailers who are on a power trip over the users who get caught and have to do some time... (dropping the soap can get pretty dangerous in there...)

And of course, prost

Posted by Saxman, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Jun 19, 2009 at 12:21 pm

I grew up in E.P.A on “Verbena” from around 1956 - left around 1982, still in ca.

To use time and money to go after users is nothing more than publicity , back in the day when the folks from across the bridge came over to cop, it was like going to Jack in the box for them, and it’s the same now as it was then, whenever money is involved those who have it will continue to have it those who don’t will not. It’s just like any other commodity you need people to sell and you need people to buy! And you need people to fill the Jails and prisons it’s just a game if you’re willing to play it won’t end with a few bust of users, sellers until the root is cut or legalization, the last time I lived there I don’t recall anyone owning any kind of aircraft to bring drugs into the country.

Just my thoughts

I came thru about 4 months ago, my have the landscape has changed.

Posted by saxman, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Jun 19, 2009 at 12:35 pm

This is for Anon

Hey man until you are ready to quit, you're barking up a tree no amount of rehab , talking , walking is going to do you any good!

You have to be ready and say to yourself you had enough! That’s all, it’s in your mind that make this decision, no one can do it for you, you have to kind of find the reason that you smoke it and deal with that reason, that’s what I did! You got to realize that life is not about feeling good every minute of the day there are ups and there will be downs, you know dying is easy, living is hard!

So you have to figure out if you will continue to take the easy way out or the hard way.

Posted by Anon, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Jun 19, 2009 at 12:36 pm

To JustMe ...

I agree with yourlast post 100%. Thank you for posting.

Posted by Saxman, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Jun 19, 2009 at 1:00 pm

To Anon

Of course I can’t take all the credit for quitting, I think I may have left out the part about asking God to take this away from me and gave it to him to burden, and it wasn’t like I found God, because God was not lost! God is always there I just ask in the name of your son Jesus take this away from me I do not want it anymore! All I had to do after that is believe it was done, I threw my new pack of cigarettes away, and had no more taste for the pipe threw that out too! That was 1991.

I have a shot of brandy more or less for hot tody when sick, now and then or a beer when I feel like it but not to get drunk!

Take care

Posted by really?!, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Jun 19, 2009 at 3:06 pm

GET THE SUPPLIERS, NOT THE THINED OUT CRACK ADDICT GRANNIES.

IT ALL STARTS WITH THEM.

CUT OFF THE HEAD AND THE CHICKEN CAN ONLY RUN SO FAR.

THE SUPPLIERS WILL TALK, THEY HAVE MORE TO LOSE THAN SOME DREAD-HEAD IN A BLACK HOODIE. THESE PEOPLE DON'T CARE ABOUT THE DEALERS.

(IF YOU PUT DEALERS IN JAIL, THEY WILL FLOOD THE JAILS WITH DRUGS...)

OUT-OF-TOWNERS SOULD BE TOP PRIORITY. GET THEM OUT FIRST THEN FIX YOUR OWN.

PS.

put that money into the schools instead of crappy ineffective shot-spoters, police ray-bans, and dodge chargers. it's two books per kid and they're from 1997. just make sure the ravenswood city school district doesn't steal the money like they always do.

Posted by the watcher, a resident of another community, on Jun 19, 2009 at 4:47 pm

Once again, and I repeat.

I dare the law enforcement institutions to join hands and get grant monies to go after the "big dog" drug sellers and produce a paper trail of how these drugs are getting into the urban blighted areas throughout the bay area and put a major stop to the drug problems in our state's poor (minority) communities. Then I'll say "well done." Until that time, it's just like putting a piece of cheap scotch tape over a bullet wound and expecting the blood to stop flowing.

We can intellectualize all day about the druggies and how they can and should get help for the addictions. However one thing to be faced is the fact that ill-educated people and lack of jobs has made drugs the "ilLEGAL TENDER" in many of the poorer areas. Also, be assured that if we open a few closets in some of the well-off (non-minority) areas outside of cities like East Palo Alto, you may well find drug money has supported a sizeable portion of the upper middle class life styles.

It would be nice to see the police catch one or more major supplier, put their names and faces on the news, treat them as true criminals and not a priviledged "above the law" misguided peccants.

Oft times there are (unfounded or founded) speculations that perhaps drugs can be and have been flown into areas via the approximately 23 small apports in the bay area.

And I quote:

"The Bay Area is home to some 23 airports that serve commercial and general aviation users."

Makes one want to say "hmmmmmmm," and wonder how often are luggage checks done at these private airports.

Everyone is equal under the law.

Posted by Really?!, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Jun 20, 2009 at 1:53 am

yes.

the head suppliers come from 4 places (trust me, was a drug dealer look out in my younger days.) Palo Alto, West menlo park, Hillsborough, and Foster City. They tell all the college kids whats up. These guys can be easily spotted, where else are you gonna find 2009 Mercedes Benz SL55 going down a street with no sidewalks? yet no one says a thing. only the out-of-towner hippie preppies are ones who say "TAKE ACTION" when they don't even have to live here. It's always the college kids in their jettas and "GO CARDINAL" bumper stickers who have to cruise my block looking to buy a dimebag of some "nigga" in a hoodie".

FIX YOUR SURROUNDINGS FIRST THEN YOU CAN TELL US HOW TO FIX OURS.

Posted by Monica, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Jun 20, 2009 at 10:45 pm

What a waste of TAXPAYERS MONEY.

What a joke those police officers are feeling pretty stupid Well maybe not OVERTIME GUYS.

Posted by Monica Again, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Jun 20, 2009 at 10:49 pm

Now did the governor send these guys out to really to clean up EPA bad move on all parties except the seven in jail Ok yeah oh ok.

Right bad move on all parties we could have used those officers else where.

what a waste of our money.

Posted by Siko, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Jun 22, 2009 at 11:48 am

I think the police department just wasting there money...The task force in East Palo Alto just harrass people.

Posted by closerthanyouknow, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Jun 22, 2009 at 1:45 pm

I can't believe that EPA Police even wanted to report this as “police work.” Are you serious, arresting vagrant (homeless, no income potential,). This is a complete waste of time, maybe one of these people will be convicted, and two may plea and got to a drug program for a couple of weeks. Look a little deeper, these officers know who’s dealing, yet they are not arresting them. They have known for some time and I know this for a fact, but they don't arrest them. People this is a "Publicity Stunt" and a complete waste of tax payers money and a complete waste of recourses. You may arrest these people for a simple violation, but this is hardly news just in case someone is thinking I'm saying leave these people on the street. But trust me, jail time will be minimal, and most will go to a drug rehab (a complete waste of time, but provide shelter at our expense).