East Palo Alto marks zero homicides in 2025 as city sheds violent past
East Palo Alto sees zero homicides in 2025
The city of East Palo Alto recorded zero homicides in 2025.
EAST PALO ALTO, Calif. - East Palo Alto recorded zero homicides in 2025, a milestone city leaders say reflects years of progress for a community once labeled one of the most violent in the nation.
It marks the second time in the past three years the city has reached that goal, police said, underscoring how far East Palo Alto has come.
From violence to progress
The backstory:
East Palo Alto Police Chief Police Chief Jeff Liu. Jan. 5, 2026
In the 1990s, East Palo Alto was known as the per-capita murder capital of the United States.
"Every little act of violence, people are thinking, ‘Yeah, that’s the murder capital.’ That was so many years ago," Police Chief Jeff Liu said. "Can we move forward from that? Can we build a new reputation — a safe reputation?"
Authorities say the city is close to doing just that, crediting strong community partnerships, youth programs, and increased police presence for helping reduce violence.
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Challenges
Dig deeper:
The progress comes despite officers working out of aging portable buildings plagued by leaking roofs.
"This facility that we’re in — not that I’m complaining — but it was temporary when we moved in [back] in 2006," Liu said. "We need to get out of here, and we need to get into a real police department."
Civic Commons proposal
Big picture view:
City leaders hope to address that issue through the proposed East Palo Alto Civic Commons, a development that would include a new police department, city hall, library, community spaces and a sports complex.
The city’s current city hall is housed in a San Mateo County building.
"Something as simple as facilities — we’ve lacked it for so long," City Manager Melvin Gaines said. "Forty-three years from incorporation, we’ll be able to make that come true."
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Funding the future
What's next:
East Palo Alto City Manager Melvin Gaines shows the proposed civic commons development. Jan. 5, 2026
The site for the project is being donated and would be developed through a public-private partnership. City officials have launched a capital campaign to close a $90 million funding gap.
"It’s just a testament to perseverance and continued progress," Mayor Webster Lincoln said. "That we actually have something that we own."
Authorities said the long-term goal is to create a city where safety is assumed, and residents have access to the services and amenities they deserve.
"I hope that is something we can all focus on, building, rather than just putting Band-Aids on things," Liu said.
City officials are fundraising for the project and are considering asking voters to approve a bond measure later this year.
The Source: Information for this report comes from interviews with East Palo Alto officials.