Press Releases

Release Date/Time: 9/11/2020 11:34 AM
Incident:Labor Day Weekend Reckless Driving Enforcement
Date: Friday, 9/4/2020
Location:City of Salinas

The Salinas Police Department has received numerous complaints from local businesses and residents about reckless drivers in parking lots and on our roadways.  These drivers shut down our roadways or block parking lots to perform dangerous driving maneuvers such as drifting, donuts and racing; commonly known as Side-Shows.  Some vehicles have passengers hanging out of the windows while performing these maneuvers creating a dangerous situation for nearby spectators and passengers.

Our community has reported the loud vehicles, yelling spectators and screeching tires keep nearby residents up at night and our businesses report vandalism, littering and damage to their parking lots.  These events attract hundreds of vehicles and hundreds of spectators.  

Over Labor Day Weekend, we conducted special enforcement to curb the reckless driving.  With help from the Monterey area California Highway Patrol, we were able to identify several vehicles driving recklessly in parking lots and took immediate action by impounding vehicles and citing drivers for reckless driving.  

Some vehicles were able to get away, but our Traffic Unit has followed up with seizure warrants authorized by a Monterey County Superior Judge to seize and impound the vehicles for 30-days.  We have since impounded and seized five vehicles and are in the process of locating and seizing more throughout Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties.   

This is an ongoing investigation and we will continue this type of enforcement.  If drivers come to Salinas to drive recklessly then expect their vehicles to be seized; either immediately from the scene or a few days later after a seizure warrant has been authorized.

We send a sincere thank you to our local businesses and residents who have reported the reckless driving and encourage them to continue to let us know.

Release Authorized by:Miguel Cabrera
Telephone:831 758-7289

Release Date/Time: 9/3/2020 12:26 PM
Incident:Go Safely, California: September is Pedestrian Safety Month
Date: September
Location:City of Salinas

September is Pedestrian Safety Month and Salinas Police Department will join law enforcement agencies across the state to educate the public on how to be safe when walking or driving. While the COVID-19 pandemic and wildfire emergencies have had an impact on Californians, the safety of pedestrians remains a cause for concern.

Since 2009, the number of pedestrians killed or injured on California roads has increased dramatically, accounting for nearly 25% of all roadway deaths. A report released earlier this year by the Governors Highway Association (GHSA) projected that pedestrian deaths in 2019 reached the highest point in more than 30 years.

'More people are out walking, exercising and doing what they can to spend a little time outdoors after spending so much time inside staying at home,” Salinas Police Department, Public Information Officer, Miguel Cabrera said. 'Looking out for one another is the least we can do during these difficult times.”

For the safety of everyone walking or driving, Salinas Police Department will have additional officers on patrol throughout the month of September specifically looking for violations made by drivers and pedestrians that make roads unsafe.

These violations include speeding, illegal turns, failure to yield, not stopping for signs or signals, and pedestrians who do not cross in marked crosswalks or designated crossing areas.

Salinas Police Department offers steps drivers and pedestrians can take to be safe:

Pedestrians 

• Ditch the distractions. Keep your eyes up and phones down, especially when crossing the street. 
• Always use marked crosswalks, preferably at stop signs or signals. 
• Make eye contact and nod or wave at drivers. A quick nod or wave is an easy way to let a driver know you see them, and they see you. 
• Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see. Get in the habit of walking with a flashlight or wearing a reflective vest so it is easier for drivers to spot you. 
• If you need to briefly walk into the street to maintain social distancing on sidewalks, remember to look both ways for cars.

 Drivers 

• Slow down on busy streets and at intersections. 
• Avoid distractions, which includes cell phones, eating, using in-dash touch screens, or turning to talk to passengers. 
• Be extra careful approaching crosswalks. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians. Stop prior to the crosswalk. 
• Try to avoid blocking the crosswalk when making a right-hand turn. 
• Have your headlights on and slow down at night when pedestrians are difficult to see

Release Authorized by:Miguel Cabrera
Telephone:831 758-7289

Release Date/Time: 8/23/2020 11:21 PM
Incident: Shooting / Attempted Murder
Date: Sunday, 8/23/2020
Time: 11:21 PM
Location: Fremont Street / Carr Ave.

At 7:30 PM officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation and calls of shots fired in the area of Fremont St. and Carr Avenue. Several bullet casings were located at the scene. About 15 minutes later officers received reports of a shooting victim in the area of Mae Avenue and Cortez Street. The 20-year-old victim was treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Detectives are investigating if the two incidents are connected.

Anyone with information please call Detective John McNeil at (831) 758-7277, or email him at [email protected]

Or call the Salinas Police Department at (831) 758-7321. If you would like to remain anonymous, you can call the Salinas Police Department Tip Line at (831) 775-4222.

Release Authorized by: Cmdr. John C. Murray
Telephone: (831) 758-7350

Release Date/Time: 8/9/2020 9:54 AM
Incident: Firearms Related Arrest
Date: Saturday, 8/8/2020
Time: 4:50 PM
Location: 1600 Block of First Ave.

On 8/8/2020 at approximately 4:50PM, the Salinas Police Department received a call regarding a person who had armed himself with a stolen handgun on the 1600 block of First Ave. The victim caller indicated that he was visiting from out of state and that he had secured his handgun in his vehicle. He noticed that the suspect, Ernesto Rodriguez Orellana (31), was inside the victims' truck going through his things. The victim confronted Orellana, who is a tenant at the residence, and noticed that he had taken his handgun and holster. When the suspect refused to return the stolen property, the victim called the police.

Release Authorized by: Commander Bryan Cupak
Telephone: (831) 758-7250