Monte Bella community signs petition to close park gates on Halloween night
Members of the Monte Bella Community Park came together and signed a petition asking for the community's gates to be closed.
Last year, a 14-year-old was stabbed at Monte Bella Community Park, so as a response this year, residents hope a petition will add safety in the area.
“I heard the sirens. I knew something happened," Monte Bella Neighborhood Watch president Jorge Guerra said. "So this year we got together and said 'we need a change.' We need to have our communities come together and change for the better and help children enjoy themselves. No kid needs to see somebody stabbed or bleeding out in the middle of the road."
“I heard the sirens. I knew something happened. So this year we got together and said, we need a change. We need to have our communities come together and change for the better and help children enjoy themselves. No kid needs to see somebody stabbed or bleeding out in the middle of the road”
Along with the stabbing, the large number of people who came from outside the community drew concerns.
“There were several fights in this park due to the lack of having any police patrolling or people coming around and making sure it was safe," Guerra said. "There was just too many people in the park and they had blocked all the roads. You couldn't get through. You couldn't walk anywhere.”
The petition was presented to the Salinas City Council. It's calling for the closure of the community park’s gate after dark as well as a stronger police presence.
One parent talked about how costumes can also be a factor in keeping people safe.
“I think with children especially, we do become more alert and aware. Like, I'm not sure if this is like your costume or is this is this what intention specifically out? Because, you know, we're just not 100%. We can't be 100% secure on who who are around or who's around us.”
The park is a public space and open to everyone beyond the Monte Bella community.
Guerra along with others on neighborhood watch hope that this can lead to significant change, even if for one night.
“The reason for petition was a safety and security for our neighborhood. This park is a beautiful park and we want everybody to enjoy it," Guerra said. "But mostly we want our kids and our families and people that come to come and enjoy it.”
KION reached out to the Salina Police Department for a statement on the possibility of a police presence, but no statement was given at this time of reporting.
