Salinas police release report on crime in the city

A report presented to Salinas City Council by Salinas Police Chief Kelly McMillin is offering a detailed look at the city’s most violent year on record.

The report, which McMillin presentedTuesday, focuses on why the city experienced such a high number of homicides in 2015. It also looked at the challenges Salinas police officers are facing, arrest rates and possible solutions.

The report put all of the 40 homicides into four different categories. According to the department’s findings, 10 were “gang-related,” nine were considered “mostly gang-related,” six were from “family or domestic violence” and 15 were from an “instant dispute,” like a robbery or drug deal gone wrong.

According to Salinas Police, the department was only able to make 13 arrests so far out of the 40 homicides.

Salinas Police say there are a number of reasons why it is difficult to make an arrest in these cases. One prime reason gang-related homicides are hard to crack is because witnesses in those cases are typically fearful to come forward with information, according to the report.

The report also focuses on what is being done to stop these crimes.For example, police say, they are giving extra attention to troubled areas like Chinatown.

“We patrol Chinatown all the time, said McMillin. “We hire additional officers on overtime just to focus on that area. By focusing those officers on those area we are able to keep those folks safe and keep that community safe,” he said.

The report also dives into some other possible solutions, such as reviewing any shooting where someone was hurt or killed. Furthermore, the Salinas Police Department has hired a Crime Analyst.

According to the report, part of her job is to look at crimes to figure out trends and links in hopes of figuring out a solution.

The Salinas Police Department is also dealing with a staffing shortage. At last check, there are 29 positions available.