Monterey police increase patrols in Cannery Row
Monterey police are investigating two violent attacks in two weeks in the Cannery Row area.
On November 23, Raul Melendez, 28, was fatally shot at Cannery Row Parking Garage on Wave Street. His death was the first in that neighborhood since 1991.
On December 3, police were called out to Blue Fin Cafe and Billiards on reports of a double stabbing. They believe both suspects likely stabbed each other and it looks to be gang related.
“We ended up making an arrest of one individual that is currently at county jail,” said Monterey Assistant Police Chief Marty Hart. “The other individual required some hospital treatment and once that treatment is resolved, he will also be booked into the county jail.”
Police have not identified the stabbing suspects yet. Some of the charges they could face include attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.
Police call the two incidents “an aberration,” saying the city and Cannery Row are generally safe areas. Because Cannery Row is a tourist attraction, many of the crimes are property crimes like shoplifting and theft.
Police do not believe the recent violent attacks are related, but say they aren’t taking chances.
“We have increased patrols down in the area,” Hart said. “We’re meeting with the night establishments and we’re going to be holding them accountable to what their use permits require them to do as an establishment. We just really want people to know, we take it serious.”
Police and some residents say they still feel safe, even after the sun goes down.
“My husband and I, we walk with her at night with our dog,” said Carolina Elmquist. We feel safe.”
ORIGINAL POST:
By most measures, Monterey’s Cannery Row is a safe place where visitors can shop for souvenirs and enjoy a nice meal, but that image is suffering in the wake of two stabbings and a homicide in the past two weeks.
The latest incident happened around 1:30 a.m. Saturday when two men stabbed each other during a fight outside the Blue Fin Cafe. Both men — whose names have not been released — were hospitalized and face numerous charges including attempted murder.
On November 23, a man was shot and killed in the Cannery Row parking structure on Wave Street.
Tonight, KION’s Mariana Hicks shows us how police and merchants are responding to the increase in violence.
