South County officials ask the public’s help

South Monterey County cities are taking action to strengthen law enforcement in their communities and they’re asking for the Public’s help.

Cities like Soledad, Gonzalez, Greenfield and King City have launched a new survey, hoping to get residents to weigh in.

The survey is part of a shared grant called Four Cities United.

It’s purpose is to build better relations between the South County Community and law enforcement. One goal, to find out what the community wants from city officials.

” ‘Do Soledad police officers respond quickly when you need them?’, ‘ Do Soledad Police officers solve problems that are important to you?’ “

Just some of the questions South County residents are asked to answer in the survey. It’s all part of what South County cities are doing to build a better relationship with the people they serve.

“Basically we call it a community score card to really find out what their feelings are about our service” said Chief Eric Sills with the Soledad Police Department. “Are they getting what they want to see out of the police department, are there areas of improvement, what can we do to better serve them.”

Soledad residents say the survey is a good idea.

“I think it’s great, it creates awareness for the officers being able to see what they can do better creating community awareness as far as what the community really thinks that is an important matter for them” Soledad Citizen Daniel Urzua says.

The survey is available on the website “Survey Monkey”. Soledad and Gonzales have promoted it on Facebook. Still some people say law enforcement needs to make sure the word gets out to everyone.

“Maybe fliers around town that there’s a survey so that people are aware” Mickel Stickel a Soledad resident said.

Chief Eric Sills says Soledad is taking that into consideration.

“Not everyone has access to a computer” Chief Sills said. “We understand that so a good possibility we may mail some of these surveys out as well.”

The survey will close May 15th. The City of Soledad plans to track its progress with a follow-up survey in a few years.