East Salinas neighbors team up to protect Alisal students after gang slaying

The violence and taunting that had been allowed to exist finally struck a deeper nerve with residents, school and community officials and business interests on Jan. 12, 2009. That's when a 15-year-old Alisal High student walking to school was fatally shot in a gang-related incident on the 700 block of Burke Street.

The neighborhood said enough is enough and appealed to Salinas Councilman Tony Barrera for help in making the street safer.

Now, more than a year after the homicide, Barrera and others have gathered some resources to improve the area. Local businesses have donated money for landscaping improvements and for surveillance video. Alco Water Co. said it will spend about $65,000 to install two surveillance cameras and provide better lighting in the area, a walkway and plant flowers, said Alco President Tom Adcock. McShane's Nursery and other businesses are also pitching in.

http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20100212/NEWS01/2120316/East-Salinas-neighbors-team-up-to-protect-Alisal-students-after-gang-slaying

Posted by Jeanette Pantoja