Salinas Police arrest dozens of people in crime sweep
The Salinas Police Department wrapped up a week of gang busts in the city.
The crime sweep was part of a coordinated effort with federal law enforcement that has led to more than 40 arrests.
Police said it wasn’t just gang members they were looking for, they were also looking for parole violators and violent criminals with arrest warrants.
KION went on a ride-along with officers Friday as they made several arrests.
Officer Justin Salinas is cautiously optimistic about what these sweeps accomplish.
“They are very successful in the fact that our presence is known. It lets the people that are on probation, parole that are actively committing crimes know that we have not forgot about them,” said Salinas Police Officer Justin Salinas.
Officers were looking for violent criminals, people who have violated their probation or have misdemeanor warrants.
On the target list, a house where known gang members go and a vehicle of interest parked outside. A chase began and then a woman was arrested.
Police detained at least ten people from inside a house and were processing each to see whether they were on the wanted list.
On Friday, May 25th, a total of six people were arrested.
There are now 45 arrests this week resulting from these busts, all gang, drug or parole-related.
“I hope we’re sending a clear message that we’re not going to lose focus on the criminals in this community, and those who have guns, those who commit violent crime, robberies, stabbings, those who want to continue in the gang life, we are coming at you.” Said Salinas Police Chief Adele Frese.
Police are hoping the sweeps will help get their message across.
“Because when people who are out there committing these types of crimes will often times become paranoid because of the increased law enforcement presence in the city of Salinas and Monterey County,” said Officer Salinas.
Police say they’ll continue these types of sweeps in different ways throughout the summer with the feds, possibly with more undercover operations.
