Salinas families displaced by fire are concerned about looting
A devastating fire that wiped out most of an apartment complex in Salinas has more than three dozen people trying to pick up the pieces. It has been an exhausting few days for them, and what’s worse, they’re worried someone might take the few things they have left.
Some things are as they would be, like a pick-up soccer game. But other things are quite different, like families spending the night apart.
“I’m staying in a hotel,” Juan Garcia said.
The Red Cross has extended its emergency shelters for some of the families. But even with that help, some are deciding to stay and keep an eye on their homes, like Juan’s dad.
Juan and his family live in one of the apartments that’s still standing, but without power. The city has prohibited people from going back in for now. His dad could stay with the rest of the family in the hotel room the Red Cross provided, but he’s decided to watch over his home instead.
“He’s worried about stealing,” Garcia said.
And so are the neighbors, after they say a woman was robbed at the complex.
“Yes, we are worried because someone broke into my neighbor’s apartment that wasn’t damaged, and stole from her,” Nora Duran said.
Salinas police say they’re aware of the potential problem, but they say it’s up to the complex manager to hire extra security.
Meanwhile, Salinas City Councilmember Tony Barrera says he has health concerns.
“Some of these doors have been posted as unhealthy dwellings, or they’re dangerous,” Barerra said. “But some people are still going in the apartments, which presents a hazard to the families, especially the children, and I’m very concerned about that, so the landlord should be here right now.”
Barrera says he’s trying to figure out how the city can help. On Monday night, Salinas firefighters knocked on a few doors, asking if they needed anything.
For now, this community is mostly leaning on each other.
“Everybody is helping each other out because we’re in a case where we don’t know what to do right now,” Fernando Duran said.
PG&E hasn’t gotten back to News Channel 5 on when power will be restored to the apartments that are still standing.
