12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY december 5-11, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com Nearly a year after its previous police chief resigned, the Salinas Police Department has a new chief. Two interim chiefs later, Carlos Acosta’s first day on the job was Nov. 29. The 51-year-old is a longtime San Jose police officer who was in charge of the bureau of investigations. He is the third Salinas police chief in less than four years, filling a role left vacant by Roberto Filice, who resigned in January to take over as assistant general manager of public safety and police chief at East Bay Regional Park District. Acosta was hired after Salinas conducted a second round of searching for the next chief. The first search came under fire after residents and former police officers said there was a lack of transparency in the process. René Mendez was hired as city manager in March, and one of his first priorities was hiring a new chief. Despite members of the community expressing interest in having the next chief be local, he selected a chief from San Jose. “I selected Chief Acosta because of his demonstrated leadership and values that are centered around service to his community,” Mendez said during a swearing-in ceremony on Monday, Dec. 2. Acosta said his priorities include creating partnerships with the community, building Salinas PD’s workforce and investing in training and development for police officers. Like police departments across the country, Salinas PD is struggling with retaining officers, who routinely leave for nearby agencies that offer better pay. Currently the city has 133 sworn police officers and 31 vacancies. “We have staffing concerns, but the community is the most important thing. As long as we build partnerships, we can start that foundation of what we can do collectively together to really create vibrancy, safety and a more prosperous city and community here in Salinas,” Acosta says. Cmdr. Brian Johnson says the department welcomes the stability of having a chief after a year of interim leadership. “I think Chief Acosta will help retain people, and we’ll be able to build on that,” Johnson adds. This year, Salinas PD has removed over 200 firearms from the streets. Homicides decreased last year from 11 in 2022 to six in 2023. Acosta’s monthly salary is $20,385, plus benefits. When Monterey was dropped from the Pecos League baseball schedule following the 2023 season, both city officials and Andrew Dunn, owner of the independent minor league, expressed interest in the team’s return. Now, with the final touches being put on a new contract, it seems possible that the Amberjacks will be back at Sollecito Ballpark in 2025. Although an agreement has yet to be signed, Dunn has released a provisional summer schedule that runs from May 22 to July 27. According to the schedule, the Amberjacks would play their first home game on Sunday, May 25 against San Rafael. Before this can happen, a contract between the league and the City must be completed. City officials plan to bring it before the Parks & Recreation Commission at a Feb. 12 meeting. If it meets with approval, Monterey City Council would have the final say, likely in March. “We are currently finalizing our contract,” reports Nat Rojanasathira, Monterey’s assistant city manager. While the contract covers details such as staffing, security, maintenance, sign- age and insurance—“it’s a long list,” Rojanasathira says—the main sticking points in negotiations have been concession sales and the home schedule. Both were problems that led Dunn to dissolve the team. According to Rojanasathira, the city has an existing lease with El Estero Snack Bar, adjacent to the ballpark, that limits the types of food and drinks another lessee can sell. Scheduling is a different headache. Sollecito Ballpark is operated by the parks department, hosting recreational leagues and youth camps. “It is heavily used,” Rojanasathira says. “The schedule has to balance public use.” As outlined on the Pecos League website, the 2025 schedule—if played—would see the Amberjacks at home on Saturdays and Sundays, with one Friday night contest. All weekday games would be on the road, a schedule similar to previous years. The Monterey Amberjacks were one of the original Pacific Division squads when the Texasbased league expanded in 2017. Top Cop Carlos Acosta is sworn in as Salinas’ new police chief, promising partnership. By Celia Jiménez news Recreation Review Monterey County Parks Commission meets to hear updates on various matters, including the Laguna Seca Recreation Area, the parks master plan and more. 3pm Thursday, Dec. 5. County Government Center, board chambers, 168 W. Alisal St., Salinas. Free. 7554895, countyofmonterey.gov. Public Eye Seaside City Council meets to discuss city business. Public comment is accepted. 5pm Thursday, Dec. 5. Council Chambers, 440 Harcourt Ave., Seaside. Free. 899-6707, ci.seaside.ca.us. Desal Discussion The State Lands Commission hosts an environmental justice outreach and engagement meeting on Cal Am’s proposal to construct four new subsurface slant wells and convert an existing test well into a fifth subsurface slant well. The commission is processing an application from Cal Am for its desalination project. 11am-1pm (environmental impacts and general comments); 3-6pm (environmental justice impacts) Friday, Dec. 6. Marina City Council Chambers, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. (916) 5741888, slc.ca.gov. Sprucing Up Friends of Seaside Parks Association organizes weekly work days to clean up and maintain parks throughout the city. 10am-noon Saturday, Dec. 7. Highland Otis Park, between Highland and Mendocino streets; and Martin Park, between Lowell and Luxton streets, Seaside. Free. friendsofseasideparks. org. Planning Matters Monterey County Planning Commission meets to consider developments, including the construction of two single-family homes in Carmel and a storage facility and mixed-use building in Castroville. Public comment is accepted. 9am Wednesday, Dec. 11. County Government Center, board chambers, 168 W. Alisal St., Salinas. Free. 7555146, countyofmonterey.gov. Get Involved Pacific Grove seeks applications to fill vacancies on various leadership roles, including the planning commission, recreation board, economic development commission and more. Applications are due Dec. 15. 6483181, cityofpacificgrove.org. Community Giving This year, 206 nonprofits are part of Monterey County Gives! Read about their Big Ideas and donate to help their efforts. Donations accepted through midnight on Dec. 31 at mcgives.com. On Deck After a year’s absence, the Monterey Amberjacks are looking to again take the field. By Dave Faries Salinas Police Chief Carlos Acosta, a longtime San Jose officer, started his new job on Friday, Nov. 29. He addressed the public and the press at a swearing-in on Dec. 2. e-mail: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “The community is the most important thing.” Daniel Dreifuss
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