Monterey County Local Crime & Justice News Articles and Digest

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Public Safety Homelessness Crime & Justice Government

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

01/29/2024
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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
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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
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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
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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.

From Los Angeles Times...

Public Safety Crime & Justice Government

LAPD Chief Announces Departure at End of February

01/12/2024
Michel Moore, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, announced he will resign. The departure of Moore, who has been in the job since 2018, will spur the appointment of an interim chief and a nationwide search for his replacement, according to Mayor Karen Bass.

From CalMatters...

Crime & Justice

With Tighter Budgets, Police Seek Less Time in Court

01/11/2024
To keep more police on patrols, law enforcement groups want officers to spend less time in court. Legislation would allow non-sworn community service officers to testify in preliminary hearings.

From Monterey Herald...

Education Crime & Justice

Former CSU Monterey Bay Dean Files Discrimination Lawsuit

01/10/2024
Leslie Williams, the former associate vice president for student affairs, is suing California State University Monterey Bay’s board of trustees for wrongful termination, after she said she experienced gender discrimination and retaliation.

From Sacramento Bee...

Health Crime & Justice

$10M-Plus Lawsuit Follows Multiple Deaths at Sacramento Jail

01/09/2024
Sacramento attorney Mark Merin has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the family of a man who died in May after being held at the county jail. Other inmates have died in recent years, and the jail is under a federal consent decree to improve its health care.

From LAist...

Public Safety Crime & Justice

Hate Crimes Rising in Los Angeles

01/09/2024
Cal State San Bernardino’s Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism found that hate crimes rose 12.9% between 2022 and 2023. The spike follows a particularly stark increase in crimes against Jewish people.

From Monterey Herald...

Crime & Justice City of Salinas

Salinas Police Chief Resigns

01/08/2024
The largest city in Monterey County is losing its police chief as Roberto Filice takes on a new position with the East Bay Regional Park District as its new assistant general manager of public safety and police chief.

Monterey County Local News: Crime & Justice