Monterey County Local Public Safety News Articles and Digest

Public Safety

New Fire Station Addresses Critical Need in Southern Monterey County

03/01/2024
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In response to a longstanding need for improved emergency services in rural Southern Monterey County, a new fire station has emerged in Lockwood.

From Los Angeles Times...

Public Safety Health Crime & Justice

Study Finds Almost 50% of San Francisco Drug Users Not Residents

03/01/2024
A report of a 12 month study which ended in February indicates almost half of those cited for drug usage were not residents of the city, leading to questions about city approaches to drug addiction.

From Monterey Herald...

Public Safety Resilience County of Monterey

Monterey County Transitions to New Emergency Alert System in March

02/29/2024
Those signed up for alerts with the current system will be transitioned to the new system as part of the process. Officials note integration with County GIS map platform as key benefit of new system.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

Art, Culture & Media Public Safety Families & Children Crisis & Personal Support Government

Lawmakers Now Calling for Regulation of Social Media

02/08/2024

CEOs of Instagram, Snapchat tell parents at Senate hearing they’re sorry for deaths of children.

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...

Public Safety Environment Water Resilience

The Terrifying Forces That Created a California Monster Storm

02/05/2024
The storm fed off of unusually warm waters as it grew. It also reached “bomb cyclone” status as it neared California.

From Los Angeles Times...

Public Safety Water Resilience

L.A.’s Flood-Control System Survived Epic Storm. But It’s Losing the Battle With Climate Change

02/05/2024
Los Angeles County flood control network withstands punishing rains—for now.

From Daily Democrat...

Public Safety Environment

Some Experts Are Proposing a Category 6 Storm Rating

02/05/2024
A handful of super powerful tropical storms in the last decade and the prospect of more to come has a couple of experts proposing a new category of whopper hurricanes: Category 6.

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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
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 Monterey Herald...

Public Safety City of Monterey

Monterey Sidewalk Repairs Underway

01/26/2024
Sidewalk repairs, which in many cases are the responsibility of adjacent property owners, are happening in Monterey to reduce tripping hazards and clean up uplifts caused by trees roots and wear over time.

From SF Gate...

Public Safety Resilience

New USGS Map Shows California Is at High Risk for Damaging Earthquakes

01/24/2024
An updated earthquake hazard map from USGS shows a high shaking risk in California.

From Los Angeles Times...

Public Safety

Shasta County Supervisors Vote to Allow Concealed Weapons in Local Government Buildings

01/24/2024
The Shasta County Board of Supervisors voted to allow guns in local government buildings, defying California law.

From Los Angeles Times...

Public Safety Resilience

‘Thousand-Year Storm’ Leaves San Diego Reeling From Punishing Rainfall, Floods

01/23/2024
Hundreds of San Diego homes and businesses were damaged or ruined in devastating floods after punishing rainfall fell on Jan. 22.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

Public Safety Health Transportation Elections & Politics Government

Can Traffic Deaths in Los Angeles Be Reduced With a Ballot Measure?

01/16/2024
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City council rejected the “Healthy Streets L.A” initiative. Now it’s up to Angeleno voters.

From Los Angeles Times...

Public Safety Resilience

The 1994 Northridge Quake Was a Shock. Here’s Why the Next One Won’t Be

01/16/2024
Our understanding and preparedness have come a long way since Southern California’s magnitude 6.7 earthquake in 1994. We’re still learning from that destructive temblor.

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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 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 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 CalMatters...

Public Safety Crime & Justice Government

Kinder, Gentler Prison Guards Key to Newsom San Quentin Reform Plan

01/05/2024
California correctional officers train like ‘they are going to war’ to work in state prisons. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to transform San Quentin could require a kinder approach.

Monterey County Local News: Public Safety