Seaside residents take part in gang violence workshop

Over 50 people crowded the Oldemeyer Center in Seaside Thursday night for a community workshop focusing on ending youth gang violence in the city.

“My biggest worries are just everything for my daughter,” said Seaside resident Joanna Loera.

Loera grew up in Seaside and came to the meeting to help make the city a better place for her daughter.

“She is going to be surrounded by gangs, she’s going to be surrounded by friends that are not good, and drugs,” said Loera.

At the meeting, residents learnedMonterey County spends $207 million a year on resources related to violence. But city leaders said the workshop isn’t about money, it’s about stopping the cycle of crime.

Everyone was put into groups and asked “What makes a safer Seaside?” Every group mentioned family time and more activities.

“The main purpose is to really bring the community together. It’s really going to help our city of Seaside task force put the plan together and then determine what gaps we need to fill,” said Youth Violence Prevention Manager Theresa Zamora.

The plan Zamora is referring to is the Violence Prevention/Youth Opportunity Plan, which thecity hopes will help address its continuing problem with gang violence.

“I believe this is the first step. It’s part of the action part by engaging with one another. It’s really being interactive and hearing what the community has to say,” said Zamora.

The next workshop is March 7th at the Oldemeyer Center in Seaside at 10 a.m.