SPD’s long-term strategy to combat violence

The Salinas Police Department continues to work on its long-term strategy to combat violence in the aftermath of a tragic milestone in Salinas. Police say the homicide record is at an all-time high after two more shootings over the weekend.

The previous all-time record was set in 2009, when there were 29 homicides. Salinas Police Chief Kelly McMillin says the department is working to solve these homicides, but it’s understaffed by some 35 positions. Despite these challenges, Chief McMillin says they’re doing what they can to solve cases and keep the city safe.

“Because we have a homicide problem doesn’t mean every other crime stops too,” Chief McMillin said. “And we are dealing with the same body of crime, arguably a greater body of crime with ever fewer officers, which is why we’ve had to cut back on our community policing efforts our school resources officers, our traffic officers and refocus that effort on patrol and investigation.”

All the while, the department is working on the PIER Strategy, developed by the Department of Justice. It’s already been implemented in the Hebbron Heights neighborhood, once considered to be one of the most dangerous is Salinas. Officers would be make a presence in the community and build relationships with neighbors.

“Hebron Heights, historically, has been one of our most violent neighborhoods,” said Jose Arreola, the director of Community Alliance for Safety and Peace It still has a violence problem, but not where it used to be.”

PIER is a four-pronged approach to stop violence, because police simply can’t arrest their way out of the problem. According to the Salinas Police Department’s website:

P: Prevention means working with families to help young children get a healthy, happy start in life.

I: Intervention means reaching young people who might be drawn towards a violent lifestyle, and offering them better alternatives like counseling, mentoring, after school programs, recreation centers, sports or job training.

E: Enforcement is what police do when they have to, protect people from those who have become a threat.

R: Re-entry services are provided to people who are returning to society from prison. The goal is to help them make a fresh start.

The department is facing an officer shortage, and Chief McMillin says while new officers would have to make arrests when needed, he would also want them in the community, establishing relationships with neighbors and building trust.