Community reacts after two people injured from a shooting in Acosta Plaza
SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Residents of Acosta Plaza are living in fear following a shooting incident over the weekend that has left many feeling unsafe in their neighborhood.
Maria Maldonado, a local resident, shared how the community has been rattled. "I go out with fear," she said. "The violence is there, and if you go out for errands, you go with fear." Many residents, like Maldonado, are calling for increased police presence in the area to address growing concerns over safety.
Imelda Medrano, who also lives in the area, spoke about the anxiety the incident has caused. "I don’t feel super safe," she admitted. "What we do is try to stay off the streets late at night."
Medrano said she and her family are increasingly cautious and often feel it's better not to know about violent incidents to avoid creating more anxiety. "If I find out or hear about these things, I get more nervous, but it's good to know to take precautions," she explained.
The shooting, which marked the fourth reported call in Acosta Plaza this year, was the first in which someone was injured. From January of this year to last month in March, this is the first confirmed shooting with three others called in without evidence.
Despite the mounting concerns, Salinas Police have provided limited details on their ongoing investigation. Local authorities have not shared much information about potential suspects or the cause of the incident, which has only heightened the sense of unease among the community.
Maldonado and other residents, including Ramiro Melchor Garcia, are hopeful that the authorities will increase their efforts to make the neighborhood safer. "The person in charge needs to put more surveillance here in the city," Garcia urged.
While some residents are calling for more visible law enforcement patrols, others feel that little can be done to curb the violence that continues to affect their daily lives. "We could have more police presence, but what else can be done? Little can be done," said Maria Maldonado.
As the investigation continues, the community remains on edge, hoping for a sense of security to return to their streets.
In response to the recent rise in violence, Salinas Police confirmed that the shooting was the first time someone had been struck among the reports of shootings called in near Acosta Plaza since March 2024.
From March 2024 to December 2024, six shootings were called in with only two confirmed and four called in with no evidence located.
For now, residents like Medrano are left to navigate their lives in a neighborhood filled with uncertainty and fear.
