Monterey County Local Public Safety News Articles and Digest

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.

From SFGate...

Public Safety Environment Transportation

Snow Shortage Followed by Potential Whiteout in Sierras

01/05/2024
Heavy snow is projected in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Previously, warmer storms had been bringing precipitation mainly to higher elevations in the Sierras.

From Los Angeles Times...

Public Safety Environment Water

WWII-Era Dump Site Found Off LA Coast

01/05/2024
Munition boxes, depth charges and smoke floats have been found 3,000 feet underwater off the coast of Los Angeles. More than 100 square miles of ocean might be contaminated.

From Sacramento Bee...

Public Safety Housing Government

Repairing Sidewalks Can Cost Property Owners Big in California

01/04/2024
California state law dictates that property owners are responsible for repairing damaged sidewalks. In Sacramento, this has left some owners facing bills of thousands of dollars or tax assessments from the city.

From SFGate...

Public Safety Transportation Government

Driverless Cars Can’t Be Ticketed in SF for Speeding or Running Red Lights

01/03/2024
San Francisco police officers have been operating for more than a year with guidance from their chief that California’s vehicle code doesn’t provide authority for them to ticket driverless cars for infractions like speeding or running red lights. Officers are still encouraged to report relevant information about incidents.

From Los Angeles Times...

Public Safety Families & Children Government

Law Goes Into Effect Blocking Guns in Many California Public Places

01/02/2024
A law passed by the California legislature in 2023 has gone into effect banning licensed gun holders from bringing their firearms to places like playgrounds, churches and casinos. The law faces an ongoing challenge in the federal court system.

From CalMatters...

Art & Culture Public Safety History Crime & Justice Government

American Graffiti is Back: Cruising Now Legal Again in California, But So Are Speed Cameras

12/27/2023
Under new state laws, five cities will test cameras to catch speeding drivers and cruising bans will be lifted statewide. The first is supposed to improve road safety, but critics of the second say it will endanger the public.

From CalMatters...

Business, Economy & Jobs Public Safety Crime & Justice Government

California Consumers Will Have Easier Time Getting Compensation for False Advertising Under New 2024 Law

12/27/2023
A new law, sponsored by Attorney General Rob Bonta, will create a fund designed to fully compensate victims of false advertising or unfair competition.

From Monterey Herald...

Public Safety Health Resilience

Smoke Exposure From Controlled Burns Is Raising Concerns

12/26/2023
Prescribed burns, used to limit destructive wildfires, are growing in frequency at California State Parks. But as the smoke drifts into residential areas, it’s easy to see why many Californians are concerned about the health impacts.

From Los Angeles Times...

Public Safety Crime & Justice Government

California Law Enforcement Heads to Idaho for Retirement

12/21/2023
Some firefighters and police officers who worked long enough in California to earn pensions are heading to more conservative destinations like Idaho in retirement. Some of these people even run for political office in these places.

From Escalon Times...

Public Safety Resilience State of California

Coordinated Effort Aims to Secure Aircraft for CalFire

12/19/2023
An effort spearheaded by the Newsom administration and congressional leaders resulted in Congress authorizing and accelerating the transfer of seven C-130 aircraft from the U.S. Coast Guard to CalFire, expanding California’s firefighting fleet.

From Salinas Valley Tribune...

Public Safety Crime & Justice City of Gonzales

Gonzales Police Officers Complete ABLE Training Program

12/14/2023
Image for display with article titled Gonzales Police Officers Complete ABLE Training Program

The entire Gonzales Police Department completed the Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement program on Nov. 30.

From SFGate...

Public Safety Health

SF Hits New Record for Overdose Deaths

12/14/2023
The fentanyl epidemic has pushed San Francisco to a grim milestone: a new record for overdoses. A total 752 people overdosed in the first 11 months of this year, surpassing 2020’s record number of 726.

From LAist...

Public Safety Transportation Government

Protesters Calling for Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Shut Down 110 Freeway

12/13/2023
A group of protesters sat down with interlocked arms on the 110 Freeway near downtown LA on Dec. 13, halting southbound traffic for more than an hour. Multiple people were arrested according to the CHP.

From Monterey Herald...

Public Safety Health

California Is on Pace to Have Fewest Annual Deaths in Four Years

12/13/2023
For the first year since COVID-19 upended our lives, the number of deaths from all causes is expected to fall under 300,000 in the Golden State.

From Sacramento Bee...

Public Safety Crime & Justice State of California

Assembly Group on Retail Theft to Hold First Hearing

12/12/2023
A new select committee in the California Assembly dedicated to retail theft will hold its first hearing on Dec. 19. This allows the committee to get to work before the next legislative session on an issue that’s drawn much press for California in recent years.

From Salinas Valley Tribune...

Public Safety Transportation City of Greenfield County of Monterey

County Selects Greenfield to Receive $250K Grant to Promote Safe Practices for Bicyclists, Pedestrians

12/11/2023
Image for display with article titled Greenfield to Receive $250K for Bicyclist, Pedestrian Safety

The County of Monterey Health Department’s Public Health Bureau is the recipient of a $250,262 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to support its Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program in the city of Greenfield.

From Monterey County Weekly...

Public Safety City of Monterey

UPDATED: Monterey Fire Chief Retires in Wake of No Confidence Vote by Firefighter's Union.

12/11/2023
Image for display with article titled Monterey Fire Chief Retires After No Confidence Vote

Monterey Fire Chief Gaudenz Panholzer is retiring from the leadership position he’s held since 2013, the city announced. Less than two weeks ago, Monterey Firefighters Association Local 3707 shared that 87 percent of its members had voted “no confidence” in Panholzer’s leadership.

Monterey County Local News: Public Safety