Two men rob woman at gunpoint, flee in sedan

[Post removed.]

The police report stated, "The suspects then ran to a white four-door Nissan sedan, which was last seen heading towards University Circle. Neither victim was physically injured.

The victim described the suspects as two Hispanic males, each about 25 years old and wearing black shirts and face coverings."

Why the editing of the police release? How is is the public supposed to help provide information?

Most American newspapers don't print the race of the suspect(s). The police don't like it, but the push started in the late 80s. As long as the public has access to the police report, the general public can read what we read, and newspapers have the right (like any business) to call their own shots. Two Hispanic males in their mid 20s hardly narrows it down. Stay safe!

By that reasoning "male" or "female" wouldn't really narrow it down significantly either.

Male or female doesn't narrow it down. That's why it's no big deal. Unless you have age, height, weight, race, gender, etc. Even then descriptions aren't always accurate. Let police and media follow protocol.

It can lead to wrong conclusions.

Yesterday I heard a cashier wishing some Indian people a "Feliz Navidad" at Costco. The Indian family just laughed.

Hi @Online Name and hello @Jennifer. Thanks for your question and your helpful response. Palo Alto Online doesn't publish the racial identity of suspects when the police description is not detailed. As it is, "mid-20s, black shirts and face coverings" casts a pretty wide net that may not be helpful in the investigation.
Our policy aligns with that of the Associated Press, which provides standards for the industry.

They are getting more brazen by the day. This needs to be dealt with. Eventually an innocent citizen is going to be shot dead in one of these Palo Alto robberies. It is just a matter of time.

"A woman in her 80s" attempted to help the young woman. The best and worst of humanity on display on that train platform today.

Right. We need social workers with counseling skills instead of law enforcement, so victims can be consoled instead of protected.

Fritzie Blue: I agree wholeheartedly. That 80 year old woman puts the thugs to shame.

As for the police, I know they cannot be everywhere but if the stories in the press are a good indication, the current level of presence is inadequate. There just might be a connection between the state's $30 BILLION surplus and the uptick in crime. Serious social problems (hunger, homelessness, crime) are increasing while "Sacramento" is amassing billions. There's a lot wrong with that picture. Every tax payer should be appalled by this mismanagement of public funds. Message to Gavin: put politics aside and start spending those dollars on society NOW.

Totally agree with Fritzie Blue and Annette.

Also the posts on NextDoor and what we hear from personally friends and acquaintances about the increase in brazen crimes, sometimes with photos of criminals that never make the police blotter reports or make the news.

I'm still waiting for the report on the auto accident that incapacitated one of our elected officials two weeks ago. Ironically, it happened near where another never-reported car wreck happened a year or two ago where there were photos and lengthy discussions of whether that accident involved 2, 3 or 4 cars and at what point such accidents finally get publicized.

Economics of Journalism 101: This paper (and most other local papers) make their money selling real estate ads. The rest of the syllogism is left to the reader as an exercise.