Safety and Preparedness

Homestead Safe Routes to School

Homestead Road intersects with Foothill Expressway to connect four jurisdictions and three schools.

Rising crime, particularly property crime, concerns us all. My own home was targeted. While we want to avoid panic and overreaction, we also want to support our exemplary police force and take sensible steps to warn criminals that Los Altos is a place best avoided.

Our police headquarters is ready for substantial renovation, and while we’re at it, we should consider ways to enhance police presence across our town from north to south.

A top priority for city council is the never-ending focus on improving safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists as they traverse our streets and sidewalks. One particular challenge is Foothill Expressway, a high volume arterial road cutting through places where children make their way to and from school each day. The challenges are multiplied by jurisdictional issues with neighboring cities and the county. Yet a review of incidents, ranging from frightening to deadly, highlight the human urgency underlying seemingly arcane traffic engineering.

Every Californian knows that earthquake planning is about when, not if. Seasonal smokey air reminds us of the imminent dangers of wildfire. Our professional public safety staff is augmented  by the volunteer Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), supporting our city’s ability to respond and recover after a disaster event. City council needs to encourage each resident to take responsibility for preparation and resilience.