Salinas city leaders encourge teens to prevent violence by joining neighborhood watch groups

There have been 23 homicides in Salinas so far this year. The latest just this weekend and last week a 16-year-old was killed. Now neighborhood watch groups in Salinas want to try something a little different to turn its city around and stop the reoccurring violence.

City officials said they aren’t just inviting the teen population to join the neighborhood watch groups. But feel it’s required after a recent homicide involved a teen.

“It kind of worries me. A lot of times is a little harder to go out past a certain hour because you don’t know what there is outside,” Salinas High School senior football player Michael Solorio said.

This Friday, his team plays North Salinas High School and would have played against 16-year-old homicide victim Carlos Robles.

“I know his number, number 60 got shot I don’t know if it was gang affiliated or what but it kind of just opens your eyes,” Solorio said.

It’s opened the eyes of other students on campus too. Many of the students are aware of the gang violence in the city and say they would join a neighborhood watch group to help give a teens perspective.

“I would join because I really want to stop this, I don’t think it’s right for my age or younger to be doing this,” Salinas High School student April Uribe said.

Councilman Steve McShane is a firm believer in having our youth help keep our streets safer.

“Violence against youth it can only be addressed with youth at the table and organizing to combat it,” McShane said.

Making the streets feel safer is all Solorio said he wants.

“A safe place where people could really open up more without a fear of being judged or fear of what others might say and I feel like something like that would really help,” Solorio said.

If you are interested in joining a neighborhood watch group you can go to www.salinasneighborsunited.org.