Salinas? Monterey? Help pls (Santa Cruz, Watsonville: home, rent, motel)

[jmhunter]

Hey there, I worked for a REAL law enforcement agency, in a non-sworn position. I am not starting an anti-santa-cruz war here... But look at the crime statistics, on this very site. Maybe it was the fact that I was working the night one of our good friends was shot in "boy" beat (if you know what i mean), but Santa Cruz has some issues... when was the last time an officer was shot in Salinas?

Salinas's aggregate numbers are lower. I lived in the city of Salinas for several years before here... Look them up on this very site...Go spend some time in Old Town, or have dinner at Elli's.... Spend some time in South... then come back on here, please.

[Wisteria]

Originally Posted by jmhunter

Hey there, I worked for a REAL law enforcement agency, in a non-sworn position. I am not starting an anti-santa-cruz war here... But look at the crime statistics, on this very site. Maybe it was the fact that I was working the night one of our good friends was shot in "boy" beat (if you know what i mean), but Santa Cruz has some issues... when was the last time an officer was shot in Salinas?

Salinas's aggregate numbers are lower. I lived in the city of Salinas for several years before here... Look them up on this very site...Go spend some time in Old Town, or have dinner at Elli's.... Spend some time in South... then come back on here, please.

So, you weren't a sworn officer....

Look, you know the reality, and I think it is misleading and wrong to guide people to Salinas. I understand there are pockets there that are okay, however, it is very misleading to compare Santa Cruz to Salinas, and it's not fair to those who don't live in this area.

I think it might be better for you to start a thread about the pros of Salinas. Unfortunately, I have to listen too much to what happens there here, and it might be interesting to see another point of view for those pockets that are safe. In the meantime, I don't think it is wise to encourage families who are moving from out-of-the-area to choose Salinas over Monterey or Santa Cruz. If you really care about people's safety, then you'd be clear about the risks involved, especially with children.

I hope that people reading this will take the time to do in-depth research about the area. And, I, too, will not start on some long thread debating back and forth, so say what you want, but I encourage you to do it in a separate thread. People are free to do as they please.

Good luck to those who are moving to the Monterey Bay area.

[Mika>Kimi]

Originally Posted by jmhunter

But look at the crime statistics, on this very site.

Would it be fair to compare the number of murders between these cities? Using the numbers listed on this site Santa Cruz has avaraged 2.1 murders/year between 1999-2005. Salinas has avaraged 15.4 during the same period. Granted, to some those numbers might not be important.

[jmhunter]

Look at the aggregate scores..a city cant be judged on murders alone... and while you're at it remove al of the murders thta are gang members.

[Mika>Kimi]

Originally Posted by jmhunter

Look at the aggregate scores..

Is there a point in here somewhere? You think that aggregate scores will turn things around for Salinas vs. Santa Cruz? No matter how you look at the murder numbers, they are MUCH HIGHER in Salinas. C'mon dude, you can't be serious in trying to downplay the murder rates of Salinas.

Originally Posted by jmhunter

..a city cant be judged on murders alone...

You are absolutely correct, sir. How could I have been so foolish to overlook this very important fact. Who cares about a city's murder rate if it has nice restaurants, fabulous shoe stores and a good library.

Originally Posted by jmhunter

and while you're at it remove al of the murders thta are gang members.

Sure, that makes sense, since most people do not care about gang murders. "Honey, we had five people killed in a drive-by shooting by my work today, no big deal, just those silly little gangsters messing around again."

[jmhunter]

Most of salinas is impervious to the "gang problem"

[SusannaK]

Originally Posted by Mvn2nc

I grew up in Monterey and now am in N.C- how long have you been in the Carolina's?

I've lived in the Southeast since 1995, first Atlanta, then Charlotte, then Columbia, now Aiken. I've been in South Carolina since 2000.

[sonarrat]

As I said in another thread, if I had to work in the Salinas region I would live in Aptos or Soquel and just endure the Highway 1 traffic. I would also certainly avoid anything along 101 between Salinas and King City.

[jmhunter]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

As I said in another thread, if I had to work in the Salinas region I would live in Aptos or Soquel and just endure the Highway 1 traffic. I would also certainly avoid anything along 101 between Salinas and King City.

If you stay to yourself in KC, Green field, Soledad, Gonzales, you should be ok, but there is nothing to do, little shopping... They reflect little areas like "Lost Hills, CA" in that they're only supported by freeway traffic, and feel just like a san Joaquin valley city.

[Yaeneth]

Okay, I live in Salinas and my husband has had a gun pointed at his face. My sister also has seen the aftermath of a drive-by shooting. She saw a body laying face down in parking lot. I've had a friend die because of a drive by shooting. He was shot in the face.

BTW...I'm not Hispanic either and do not hang out with gang-bangers!

I live in the North Side of Salinas. Where do you all live?