Carlos Olin Montalvo III

Mike Bethke, a local businessman and community advocate, said it seems like the city is at a low point. He likened it to a 12-step program, where a drug addict gets so far down he finally seeks help.

Here is a rundown of some of the crimes that have recently taken place  in Santa Cruz:

• Anarchist rioters smashed up mom-and-pop businesses on Pacific Avenue cuasing more than $100,000 in damage
• Vandals spray-painted tags around a city block downtown
•  Someone sliced the brake lines on a UC Santa Cruz biology researcher's vehicle
• A methamphetamine dealer was gunned down during a drug deal along Branciforte Creek 
• A Santa Cruz High School graduate was gunned down by gang members in a neighborhood park
• Four of the city's past six homicides were gang-related and all taking the lives of men ages 16-20  
  

Santa Cruz police have started a collaboration with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement National Gang Unit to investigate gang crime in the city less than a month ago. A thirty year old Salvadoran national, Jose Abrego-Galdamez suspected of being a high-ranking member of the violent street gang Mara Salvatrucha (MS13) was arrested and likely will be deported. At least two killings are blamed on the MS-13. He is the first suspected gang member to be arrested through the new partnership.
  
San Jose Merucry