SALINAS, Calif. - Tonight Salinas City Council members supported plans for 52 acres of redevelopment in East Salinas. A plan that was first introduced in 2008 but has since expired. Now its back on the table. And part of the redevelopment may include a new building that may become the new home for Salinas Police.
But in a time when money seems to be tight, real tight, and Salinas already told the chief no to more officers, you may be asking yourself how the city of Salinas plans to fund a new police station.
Central Coast News told you a recent study found the department should be operating with close to 200 officers, right now there are only 150. And last year the city needed federal grant money to hire just 8 officers. We asked Chief Kelly McMillin how he plans to get the money for the building.
"Whatever funding mechanism is determined will probably be separate from the funding stream that comes from hiring police officers," said McMillin.
But is a new building really going to help combat the gang problem that has long plagued the city? And if a budget doesn't allow for both, what is more important, a building or more boots on the ground?
"Even give today's staffing level, without increasing the police department, which I think everyone knows needs to happen, this building is not getting us there," said McMillin.
The Chief showed Central Coast News the condition of the current police station and how cramped some halls were inside. The Chief also said that if Salinas Police do get the new building, it won't just be a place for police officers, but a community facility.
"Its a place where the whole community can come, not just when something bad happens and they need police. But when anything positive happens in Salinas."
