Monterey County Local Crime & Justice News Articles and Digest

Education Crime & Justice

Court Denies Plaintiffs Attorney Fees in Latest Monterey High Stadium Court Ruling

02/08/2024
The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District has once again prevailed in its pursuit of completing a stadium renovation project at Monterey High School, according to the latest court ruling.x

From San Joaquin Valley Sun...

Public Safety Crime & Justice

Appeals Court Temporarily Reinstates Calif. Background Checks for Ammo Purchases

02/06/2024
California’s law that requires background checks when purchasing ammunition is back in place.

From Los Angeles Times...

Crime & Justice State of California

Newsom to Send 120 CHP Officers to Fight Crime in Oakland

02/05/2024
Gov. Gavin Newsom is increasing state police presence in Oakland under a new law enforcement campaign to target rising violent crime and theft.

From Los Angeles Times...

Crime & Justice

How Many People Die Each Year in Jails and Prisons? No One Knows

02/02/2024
As Jay D. Aronson and Dr. Roger A. Mitchell explore in their book “Death in Custody,” that lack of data is a national problem.

From Monterey Herald...

Crime & Justice City of Marina

Marina Names Former Kansas City Deputy Chief as New Police Chief

02/01/2024
The new Marina Police Department Chief of Police is a law enforcement veteran with more than 30 years in service.l Randy Hopkins started work this week and will be sworn in next week.

From Monterey County Weekly...

Crime & Justice City of King City

After a One Year Search Marina Appoints Randy Hopkins as New Police Chief.

01/31/2024
Image for display with article titled After a one year search Marina appoints Randy Hopkins as new police chief.

On Tuesday, Jan. 30 the City of Marina announced Randy Hopkins as its new police chief.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

Public Safety Homelessness Crime & Justice Government

Should Homelessness Be a Crime? New San Mateo County Law Allows Charges

01/29/2024
Image for display with article titled Should Homelessness be a Crime? New San Mateo County Law Allows Charges, but SCOTUS May Get the Last Word

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that could reshape how California tackles the homeless problem.

From Los Angeles Times...

Crime & Justice

Tribal Leaders Cite Problems with California’s Feather Alert for Native People Who Go Missing

01/28/2024
In the first year of California’s Feather Alert system, authorities denied some requests to issue bulletins on missing people, causing concerns.

From Monterey Herald...

Crime & Justice City of Salinas

Salinas Police Department Gets New Assistant Police Chief

01/26/2024
After a nearly two-month nationwide search process, Salinas welcomes new Assistant Chief John Murray. He has served the Salinas community for more than 27 years, most recently as a commander in the field operations division.

From Monterey Herald...

Business, Economy & Jobs Crime & Justice

Did Legal Marijuana Help or Harm Californians? Here’s What the Data Says

01/26/2024
When California’s cannabis shops opened their doors six years ago this month, they inaugurated the world’s largest market for legalized recreational marijuana. What’s life like, after legalization?

From Los Angeles Times...

Crime & Justice Government

L.A. Is Being ‘Stripped for Parts.’ Here’s What the City Council Wants to Do About It

01/26/2024
Among growing concern over copper wire thefts, L.A. City Councilmembers Kevin de León and Traci Park proposed a task force anchored by the LAPD.

From SF Gate...

Transportation Crime & Justice State of California

Controversial California Bill Would Physically Stop New Cars From Speeding

01/25/2024
The proposed bill would require new California cars to have a speed limiter.

From Monterey County Weekly...

Crime & Justice City of Salinas

Salinas City Council Unanimously Approves a Two-Year Contract for Police Officers.

01/24/2024
Image for display with article titled Salinas City Council Approves a Two-Year Contract for Police Officers

Salinas City Council voted 6-0 to approve a new contract with the Salinas Police Officers Association.

From Los Angeles Times...

Crime & Justice

Jailed for Missing a Court Date, He Died After Not Being Given His HIV Medicine

01/23/2024
An El Dorado County Jail inmate died after not receiving vital HIV medication for weeks, a new lawsuit claims.

From CalMatters...

Crime & Justice State of California

Californians Want to Use Zoom for Court Appearances. Will Lawmakers Let Them?

01/22/2024
Each year, California lawmakers pass temporary extensions to COVID-era rules that allow people to attend court via video conferencing services. One powerful state union has been a barrier to making the feature permanent.

From CalMatters...

Business, Economy & Jobs Crime & Justice State of California

As California Closes Prisons, State Spending Per Inmate Hits a New Record

01/22/2024
Locking up a California state prisoner for one year costs nearly twice as much as tuition at the state’s top private universities—due to inmate medical costs and pay boosts for prison guards and other workers.

From SFGate...

Crime & Justice

Oakland Gas Station Is Going Viral for Its Nonstop Car Burglaries

01/16/2024
An auto burglary trend shows that thieves are targeting travelers.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

COVID-19 Public Safety Health Transportation Crime & Justice Government

Death on the Roads: Traffic Fatality Crisis Far From Over

01/14/2024
Image for display with article titled Death on the Roads: California Traffic Fatality Crisis Far From Over

California in 2024 has implemented two new, potentially important traffic safety laws

From Monterey County Weekly...

Crime & Justice City of Salinas

City of Salinas Approves Red Light Abatement Act Ordinance to Combat a Surge of Visible Sex Work.

01/12/2024
Image for display with article titled Salinas Approves Red Light Abatement Act to Combat Surge of Sex Work

The Salinas City Council voted 5-0 to approve the Red Light Abatement Act ordinance. Mayor Kimbley Craig and Carla Viviana González were absent.

From Sacramento Bee...

Public Safety Homelessness Crime & Justice

SCOTUS to Hear Case with Major Implications for Homeless

01/12/2024
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case related to whether cities and towns can ban camping on public property. The high court could overturn Martin v. Boise, a 2018 federal court decision that keeps western cities and counties from blocking public camping when sufficient shelter space is unavailable.

Monterey County Local News: Crime & Justice