CRACKDOWN TO HIT EAST P.A. GANGS

But city officials upset sheriff didn't consult with them on latest plan

The San Mateo County sheriff announced a crackdown Tuesday against violent
East Palo Alto gangs, but he may first have to settle a beef with the
mayor, who's irked that the city wasn't consulted.

Sheriff Don Horsley told the county board of supervisors that a 10-officer
strike force will target four key gangs and drug dealers allegedly
responsible for increased dealing and a bloody turf war that boosted the
city homicide count to 15 in 1997.

``I don't believe that crime in East Palo Alto is out of control. It's not
1992,'' Horsley stressed, referring to the year when the city's 42
homicides made it the per capita ``murder capital'' of the nation. But
Horsley added, ``We want to make sure that there isn't an open market for
drug trafficking,'' which triggers feuding.

East Palo Alto Mayor R.B. Jones said that while he's grateful for any help
combating crime, the sheriff should have talked with his city's police
chief and city council.

``I would be the first to say, `Thank you Sheriff Horsley, we could
certainly use 10 more officers,' '' Jones said Tuesday. ``But you don't
just send an occupying force into somebody's community.''

As chief law enforcement officer for the county, the sheriff does not need
city approval for the operation.

The dispute underscores the long-strained relations between county
officials and leaders in the largely minority community, which voted to
become an incorporated city in 1983 specifically to have its own police
force.

A separate issue from the task force is Horsley's proposal for a joint
city-county police authority that would strengthen law enforcement in East
Palo Alto.

Horsley said the agency would be controlled by a city-dominated board. But
the sheriff insisted he must have some management authority to improve a
department that has suffered from lax discipline and brutality scandals.
Horsley said his proposal would boost the beleaguered 31-officer police
department to 42 officers and increase pay by 33 percent.

But Jones said the city simply wants to hire some of the sheriff's deputies
- -- like temporary office workers -- while retaining command of the city's
force. Horsley isn't willing to relinquish control over his troops.

Meanwhile, some county supervisors are growing impatient to see the city's
proposal for a long-term solution to the crime crisis. The county has
pumped $10 million in law enforcement help into East Palo Alto over the
past five years.

``We need to make a firm commitment to keeping East Palo Alto safe,''
Supervisor Ruben Barrales, whose district includes East Palo Alto, said
during the Tuesday board meeting.

But Supervisor Mary Griffin replied: ``I would like to see the East Palo
Alto (city council) make an equally firm commitment to keeping East Palo
Alto safe.''

Griffin suggested a summit between supervisors and the city council that
would ]allow leaders to find common ground for a permanent solution.