MONTEREY COUNTY HOMICIDES UP vs

MONTEREY COUNTY AUTHORITIES SAY THAT IN THE YEAR 2004, THERE WERE 10 MORE HOMICIDES THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. OF THE 37 HOMICIDES THAT TOOK PLACE, 23 ARE THOUGHT TO BE GANG-RELATED, AND MOST REMAIN UNSOLVED. THE FEAR OF GANG RETALIATION HAS MADE SOLVING MURDER CASES DIFFICULT, SINCE WITNESSES ARE RELUCTANT TO COME FORWARD. THE MONTEREY COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND SALINAS POLICE DEPARTMENT CREATED A GANG-TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERS BELIEVE 2004 WAS A HIGH POINT FOR HOMICIDES, AND HOPE THE TASK FORCE WILL BE ABLE TO CURB GANG ACTIVITY.