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Monterey County Crime & Justice Articles



King City Rustler logo LOCAL NEWS
Monterey law firm opens new office in King City

KING CITY — Monterey law firm Fenton & Keller has opened a new law office in King City, led by attorney John E. Kesecker, following a soft opening on May 1, with plans for an official opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony …

Monterey County Weekly logo LOCAL NEWS
An event in Seaside highlights the mostly hidden crisis of missing Indigenous women.

Just yesterday, Weekly Editor Sara Rubin wrote in this newsletter about the incredible 10-year journey of Matika Wilbur, an Indigenous woman from the Swinomish and Tulalip tribes of coastal Washington who set out across America to document the stories of…

Monterey County Weekly logo LOCAL NEWS
Seaside Police Department will launch a program to pay for vehicle repairs in lieu of tickets.

On July 6, 2016, Police Officer Jeronimo Yanez pulled over 32-year-old Philando Castile for a broken taillight near Minneapolis. The officer asked Castile for his license and registration; as he reached, Yanez shot and killed Castile.

Monterey County Weekly logo LOCAL NEWS
Monterey County Jail is violating a settlement over living conditions, lawyers claim.

Lawyers representing Monterey County Jail inmates in a settlement over conditions claim that the jail’s health care provider is in violation of the terms of the agreement – and they are requesting to unseal redacted reports detailing the alleged failures.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo LOCAL NEWS
Greenfield appoints Mixer as new chief of police

GREENFIELD — Greenfield City Manager Paul Wood has appointed Capt. Guillermo “Bill” Mixer as chief of police for the City of Greenfield effective April 27. As police chief, Mixer will also serve as a member of the Greenfield Executive Team, …

Salinas Valley Tribune logo LOCAL NEWS
Photo | Gonzales welcomes new police officer

GONZALES — Officer Joshua Macias was sworn in as the newest member of the Gonzales Police Department by Chief Keith Wise on April 17. “Welcome on board Officer Macias,” the department said on social media.

Monterey County Weekly logo LOCAL NEWS
Young rap star stabbed to death in Soledad prison.

The Correctional Training Facility in Soledad announced the death of Jaime Brugada Valdez, known in the rap industry as MoneySign Suede. MoneySign was stabbed to death in the shower in the evening of Tuesday, April 25, according to a statement…

Monterey County Weekly logo LOCAL NEWS
Pacific Grove settles with former police officer at center of controversy.

The city of Pacific Grove has settled out of court a $1 million free speech lawsuit filed last year by former P.G. Police officer Michael Gonzalez. Under the agreement signed by Gonzalez and P.G. Assistant City Manager Tori Hannah on…

Image caption: Murder committed by strangers who don't know the victim remained relatively rare, data shows,
Is Crime Out of Control? What's the Reality?

Fears that violent crime is out of control on the streets of California cities rose after the murder of a well-known tech exec. But what are the facts and do they back up the rising moral panic about crime?

Monterey County Weekly logo LOCAL NEWS
Trailblazing public interest attorney Michael Stamp dies at 72.

Guided by a keen sense of justice, Michael Stamp was not afraid to stand up to anyone—government or developers or pro sports teams, or the attorneys representing government or attorneys or pro sports teams. In his career as a lawyer,…

King City Rustler logo LOCAL NEWS
James Hunt appointed as King City police chief

KING CITY — James Hunt has been appointed as King City’s new police chief, announced City Manager Steve Adams on Tuesday. Hunt has been serving in the City’s interim chief role since late last December, filling in after the departure …

Image caption: A memorial to the seven victims slain in a mass shooting in Half Man Bay in January 2023.
Mass Shootings in California: 2023 Has Been a Bad Year

Three mass shootings with at least six fatalities have already taken place in California in 2023, resulting in 25 deaths. Statistically however, California has been below average for the United States in rate of mass shooting deaths.

Monterey County Weekly logo LOCAL NEWS
Automated police cameras put Monterey County at the frontline of the debate over safety vs. privacy.

The past month has seen local cities double down on automated police surveillance equipment that promises to reduce crime and assist short-staffed forces – but which has also raised privacy concerns among citizens and civil liberties advocates.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo LOCAL NEWS
Salinas Police receive more than $1M for new technology as city honors slain officer

SALINAS — U.S. Reps. Jimmy Panetta and Zoe Lofgren recently visited the Salinas Police Department to highlight new federal funding for the department to deploy technology that will improve efficiency, officer safety and community transparency. Salinas Police Department received $1,165,000 …

Salinas Valley Tribune logo LOCAL NEWS
Planning gets underway for South County Family Justice Center

MONTEREY COUNTY — Community members are invited to attend a strategic planning event for South Monterey County’s Family Justice Center later this month. A team from the Family Justice Center Alliance, a project of Alliance for HOPE International, is helping …

Image caption: The AB 3121 Task Force to Study and Develop Reparations Proposals for African Americans meets in Oakland on Dec. 14, 2022.
Reparations Task Force Seeks More Than Dollars

The task force members are discussing monetary and nonmonetary reparations ideas to compensate for slavery and racism. Some say they want policies to prevent future harms against Black Californians.

Monterey County Weekly logo LOCAL NEWS
Seaside PD clamps down on speeding drivers on Hilby and other residential streets.

Seaside police are cracking down on speeding drivers, particularly on residential streets, in response to concerns from residents and in advance of a city-commissioned traffic calming plan currently in the works for Hilby Avenue.

Image caption: Can YouTube be held liable for a deadly terrorist attack if its algorithm recommended ISIS videos?
SCOTUS Takes on Section 230, the Online Free Speech Law

The U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday heard arguments in a potential landmark case that could roll back Section 230, the 27-year-old law that protects free speech on social media and other online platforms. Which way were the justices leaning?

King City Rustler logo LOCAL NEWS
Former King City police chief returns to fill vacancy

KING CITY — Former King City Police Chief Robert “Bob” Masterson is returning to the city, but this time as interim police captain. King City Police Department announced Masterson’s appointment Feb. 10.  “I am pleased that Bob agreed to return …

Monterey County Weekly logo LOCAL NEWS
Seaside prayer vigil in honor of Tyre Nichols focuses on a message of community action.

A prayer vigil held in honor of Tyre Nichols turned into a call for community action on Tuesday, Feb. 7.

Featured

California cities switch to more inclusive, district-based elections system.
Voting Rights...the Final Frontier
Pushed by activists, cities move from at-large elections to district races.
Access to abortion in California is limited in many areas, though state laws protect a woman’s right to choose.
Abortion Rights in California, Explained
But even in California, access to abortion services in many areas remains limited.
The California mental health crisis is tied to both homelessness and rising crime.
UPDATE: California’s Mental Health Crisis: How We Got Here
The making of Gov. Newsom's plan to help get mentally ill Californians into treatment.
The cycle of crime and homelessness is escalating, but it doesn't have to be that way.
Homelessness and Crime in California: Even More Complex Than You Think
What causes the cycle of homelessness and crime, and how to stop it.
The California Supreme Court has defined the state’s legal and political agenda for more than 170 years.
How the California Supreme Court Blazes Legal Trails
From its beginnings in the Gold Rush, the state Supreme Court continues to define the state today.