Source: San Jose Mercury News Contact: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 Author: Alan Gathright, Mercury News Staff Writer 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.