Busy 48 hours for Salinas police raises staffing shortage concerns

It’s been a busy 48 hours for the Salinas Police Department.

It all started Tuesday afternoon when the U.S. Marshals Service served a warrant at a home on Cherokee Drive. The suspect barricaded himself inside the house, initiating a stand-off with police that continued into Wednesday. Salinas police had several officers assisting.

Then there was a deadly shooting across town just after 8 p.m. Tuesday. Later, officers were needed to investigate a robbery at a fast food restaurant and two home invasions.

Because the department is already short staffed, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol had to come in to help handle some of the emergencies.

Salinas police Deputy Chief Dave Shaw said some 911 callers had to wait several hours for an officer to show up because they were short staffed.

“The first priory is obviously life threatening calls. The shootings, the
stabbings, fights, things where people are injured seriously,” said Shaw.

Department officials said many officers had to stay late and the next shift was called in early.

“We typically have 11 (officers) for the day (shift), 11 for swing and 10 at night. Last
night we called all those 10 in earlier. We also had detectives that once
they were done with their shift throw on uniforms to go help,” said Cindy Burnham, administrator for Salinas police.

Salinas police said it’s busy nights like the last two days that cost the city overtime and drain officers – all because they’re short staffed.