To: Mayor Betsy Nash, Menlo Park Police Chief David Norris, City Manager Justin Murphy and City Council Member Jennifer Wise

Our Menlo Park neighborhood is living in fear. The growing pattern of residential burglaries is shattering our sense of safety, and we demand immediate, time-bound action. 

More than 25 of our homes in just the west side of Menlo Park were burglarized during the last year.  One home was broken into twice within a month, including a home invasion where three robbers entered the bedroom of a resident while he was asleep. The home burglary surge in Menlo Park is clearly shown in the Citizen RIMS database published by the Menlo Park Police Department.  This includes daytime incidents, which are particularly concerning from a public-safety standpoint. Despite these statistics, to our knowledge, not a single arrest has been made –  a fact that signals low detection risk to offenders and leaves our community vulnerable.

These statistics most likely understate the crisis because some break ins and attempts may not have been reported. The home burglary wave in Menlo Park continues this year, with repeated home invasions during January, even though several streets have hired private security forces.  

We therefore ask that the following immediate actions be taken to increase the protection of our homes in the Menlo Park community.

1. Temporary burglary suppression effort in the west side of Menlo Park

Deploy a high-visibility, short-term burglary prevention effort (e.g. 90 days) focused on residential streets experiencing repeated incidents
Clearly communicate when this effort begins so residents understand that action is underway.
2. Rapid, practical prevention measures

Conduct a focused assessment of lighting, visibility, and environmental design in the west side of Menlo Park streets and pathways.
Coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions where patterns suggest offenders may be operating across city boundaries.
Add signage and temporary security cameras in high incident areas to demonstrate that the west side of Menlo Park is focused on crime prevention.
3. Clear communication on actions and outcomes

Host a neighborhood-specific town hall within the next 30 days to explain enforcement and prevention strategies and answer community questions directly.
4. Clear guidance and follow-up expectations for residents

How to report burglaries and suspicious activity
How and where to submit camera footage efficiently and updates on what action would be taken when camera footage is submitted
What follow-up residents should expect after reporting a residential burglary
5. Written response and accountability

Provide a written response within 30 days outlining immediate actions taken and future actions planned. Please designate a Menlo Park Police Department point of contact for West Menlo Park residents.

Our commitment as residents

Menlo Park residents are committed to being constructive partners in public safety. We will continue to:

Report crimes promptly and accurately
Share relevant footage responsibly when requested
Participate in neighborhood safety and prevention efforts
At the same time, public safety is a core responsibility of local government, and residents need to see visible action and clear communication to restore confidence.

Call to action

Menlo Park deserves to feel safe in our homes and neighborhoods. We urge Mayor Betsy Nash and Police Chief David Norris to treat this as a priority public-safety issue and take prompt, targeted action to prevent further residential burglaries.

Please sign this petition to support immediate, practical steps to protect Menlo Park families and homes.