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Seaside police highlight youth‑violence tensions, cold‑case push and recent sexual‑assault arrest
Summary
Seaside police described a social media ‘Cold Case Mystery Monday’ campaign, ongoing youth‑violence tensions involving Seaside students at Monterey High, and praised Monterey Police Department’s work in a recent sexual‑assault arrest; commissioners urged equitable treatment for Seaside students.
Chief Borges briefed the Seaside Safety Commission on multiple public‑safety priorities, including a newly launched social‑media effort to solicit tips on unsolved homicides, ongoing youth‑violence tensions tied to incidents at Monterey High and nearby Alvarado Street, and a recent arrest in a child sexual‑assault investigation that involved collaboration with the Monterey Police Department.
"We started a social media campaign a few weeks back called Cold Case Mystery Monday and we're trying to really get these cases out there," Chief Borges said, describing an effort that has already produced tips. He said the department has increased task‑force activity focused on youth prevention and is preparing a 4th of July public‑safety plan that will be presented to the city council.
Borges told commissioners that a recent Alameda/Monterey‑area incident involved Seaside residents and that some Seaside students were placed on independent study as a safety measure after tensions at Monterey High. Several commissioners and the chief expressed concern about any perception that Seaside students were being treated differently and the chief said he would look into the school response and advocate for equitable treatment.
The chief credited Monterey Police Department for investigative assistance in a disturbing child‑assault case. "They did a great job investigating and discovering all this stuff ... it was actually a great collaboration on their behalf," Borges said, and named Detective Salmon for his work with victims.
A commissioner asked whether the department had considered using artificial intelligence to review video evidence in sexual‑assault cases. Borges said the department had not adopted that approach, emphasizing that any use of technology would need to be legally sound for prosecution and that human review remains necessary.
Why it matters: The department’s social‑media campaign and the recent investigative arrest are intended to increase tip flow and public safety in Seaside. Commissioners said they want the city’s youth‑violence prevention efforts to prioritize Seaside students and not permit unequal treatment across neighboring districts.
Next steps: The police department will present a 4th of July public‑safety plan to the city council; the chief said he will follow up on the school‑placement question and coordinate with the task force and school district as needed.
