Questionable Police Practices Continue After Palo Alto Police Chief Forced to Retire

Was an off-duty Palo Alto police officer fulfilling contractual duties as a consultant of "emergency preparedness" when he was spotted hanging around outside the home of a tenant activist? Or was he playing the role of private investigator and contributing to Page Mill Properties' scheming tactics to frighten outspoken tenants?

The Palo Alto Police Department's policy manual expressly prohibits employees from accepting outside employment as a private security guard, private investigator or other similar private security position.

Former police chief Lynne Johnson, who retired in December amidst allegations of racial profiling, authorized an officer to do contract work for Page Mill Properties despite a long standing problem between Page Mill (located in Palo Alto) and the City of East Palo Alto supported by tenant activists in that city. Tenants and their supporters can't help but wonder if the Palo Alto officer wasn't somehow involved in the property company's accusations that a community organizer attempted to extort Page Mill Properties, especially since the officer refused to identify himself to the tenant after photographing him and his car. The behavior of the officer is seen by some in the community as consistent with other unethical activities by Page Mill Properties.

Many tenants, but especially recent immigrants with limited English speaking skills, have left the Page Mill apartments rather than deal with the threatening notices and unjustified rent increases. The property management has left washing machines unrepaired, refused to replace worn carpets, and now reports are coming in of yard maintenance irregularities. In the yard of one tenant who has dared to speak out, the company had shrubs and bushes pulled out seven months ago; Page Mill has yet to replace them with any kind of landscaping.