Seaside investigates shooting with hopes of combating crime with new hires

Another shooting investigation is underway in Seaside and it’s a type of crime police said they’re becoming too familiar with. But the Seaside Police Department hopes some key new hires will help pave the way to a safer city.

People who live near Wednesday night’s crime scene on Hamilton Avenue said they’re becoming very concerned about crime in the city. But at City Hall one fresh face said she’s hitting the ground running with a plan to combat crime and it’s only her fourth day on the job.

“The actual goal right now is to work with the consultant that we’ve hired to put a plan together and execute that plan,” said Youth Violence Prevention Coordinator Theresa Zamora.

Zamora said she’s hoping to put her experience in community behavioral health to good use. Her job is one of two new positions at the city specifically tasked with putting a stop to the violence long term.

“Yeah, that’s the first time I’ve heard a shooting next to my house,” said resident Juan Rodriguez.

Rodriguez said he’s lived on Hamilton Avenue for years and was confused when police showed up to investigate a shooting on his street. Police said a man in his 20s was shot in his driveway, leaving him in critical condition. So far investigators said they don’t have any evidence the incident was gang-related.

“I think the primary challenge right now is really engaging the community in the conversation around what well-being to them is and that will really guide them to come up with some different strategies and plans around gang violence,” Zamora said.

Police said the attack was unprovoked, the shooter allegedly opened fire on the victim, his brother and two friends who were standing in the driveway. While her title may include the word “youth” Zamora said her mission is to engage young adults and parents as well.

“The actual goal right now is to work with the consultant that we’ve hired to put a plan together and execute that plan,” Zamora said.

With a crime analyst also on board, the hope is to stop the crime trend before it spikes any higher.

Zamora said she has the next few months to work on a violence prevention plan for the police department and hopes to pull it together by February.