Community ‘distraught’ after Salinas police officer gunned down during traffic stop
Residents of the Central Coast express shock and sadness over the shooting death of Salinas police officer Jorge David Alvarado, who died on Friday night.
People flooded the police department building to leave flowers and cards.
Members of MC Blue, a local community membership organization in support of the police, also marched downtown to display blue-striped flags, honoring all who are in the service of the police.
Passers-by played the horns in support.
Community members said they woke up to the news on social media and were forced to show their support.
“It broke my heart,” organizer Lyle Skeen said. “My heart told me to come here to show my support and cry for the officer.”
Donna Lizama said that when she heard the news from friends, she immediately became concerned about a relative who currently works for the department.
“I just cried and started crying. It’s sad,” he said. “We talked and it’s okay. I asked him if it was okay for him to come or if it was too much to go out here and he said, ‘No, it’s okay. The community really needs to see support. “
Debbie O’Connor says she was “distressed” by the news and also felt it was important to show up on Saturday afternoon.
“We all need to defend our agents and it’s hard when it comes home,” he said.
Skeen said the group expects more people to come together throughout the day to show their support, but added that there are other concerns beneath the surface, citing the continuing tension between society and police across the country.
“I think people are afraid to show their support because of the retaliation,” he said.
Skeen and other community members said the incident calls into question whether officers have sufficient resources to protect the city from the rise in violent crime.
Lizama expressed her gratitude to the local police and firefighters who were present at the scene on Friday and again on Saturday.
“Santa Cruz sheriffs, Watsonville agents are going one step further and taking care of our community while our officers take the time to get over it,” he said. “Send drive message”.
During Saturday’s press conference and during a flag-lowering ceremony outside the department building, several city officials and leaders were overwhelmed with excitement as they cried and hugged.
Several county leaders and residents of Salinas turned to social media to express their condolences and support to the fallen officer, his family and the police department.
Community ‘distraught’ after Salinas police officer gunned down during traffic stop Source link Community ‘distraught’ after Salinas police officer gunned down during traffic stop
