SALINAS, Calif. - The feds sound off on what Salinas is doing well and not so well in fighting the city's gang problem. One federal agent said Salinas is actually ahead of the curve in the gang fight.
"We've been very impressed since being on this visit," says Sue Badeau, one of the federal agents visiting Salinas.
Badeau from the Department of Justice said the City of Salinas is doing a lot of things right to fight gangs. Among them the community working together and businesses stepping up. She also really likes the Rancho Cielo program that helps at-risk youth turn their lives around.
But, before the City of Salinas gives itself a pat on the back, she admits more work needs to be done.
"There's definitely still some issues," says Badeau. "There's a really wonderful program for example for re-entry for people that are coming back into the community after having been in prison, many again who have been gang-involved here in Salinas, but it's very small. It's not enough to serve the need and the demand."
She's referring to the Silver Star program and that's one of her biggest concerns. It's in jeopardy of going away because of the city doesn't have the money.
That's not good since the state wants to reduce the prison population. Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue agrees.
"We tend to think in terms of enforcement, suppression, intervention, community engagement but we have to think very seriously about prison re-entry," says Donohue.
The other thing Badeau took away from this visit she said the City of Salinas needs to keep the momentum going and not let two years of success slip away.
Submitted by Azenith Smith, Central Coast News
