SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – On Wednesday, San Diego City leaders, including Mayor Todd Gloria, City Council President Sean Elo Rivera, and Police Chief David Nisleit, addressed the recent rise in violent crime throughout the city.
They say that since the beginning of this year, police have responded to 10 murders in San Diego, which is an 80 percent increase over the same period last year. In addition to the homicides, officers responded to 44 shootings and multiple attacks that did not end in deaths.
According to SDPD, during the first two months of the year, police also recovered 372 guns, 77 of which were ghost guns, banned in the city.
Mayor Gloria said the city is adding more police resources in affected areas. “We are also installing public safety deterrents in specific areas that we know are linked to this increase in violent crime. In addition, I have directed our city’s transportation department to prioritize street light repairs in these communities to increase lighting, visibility and safety.”
He said the city had identified 25 lights in need of repairs in Mount Hope and Mountain View, and repairs began on Tuesday.
Ilo Rivera represents neighborhoods that have seen an increase in shootings, he said he has heard directly from people affected in those communities.
“Some may mock these actions as ways to deal with a problem like violence, but I have heard directly from my constituents, the hardest hit neighborhoods, that this will actually make them feel safer,” Elo Rivera said. “We also need longer-term solutions that should include investing in our youth, creating opportunities, and building proven programs to reduce gun violence.”
Chief Nisleit has asked the public to present any possible information that could help in the investigation into nine murders since the beginning of 2022.
The victims of these homicides are listed below and include a 14-year-old boy, Erick Balanzar. Balanzar was killed in Mount Hope during a drive-by shooting. Police have arrested several suspects in connection with the shooting but are seeking further information.
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