The Salinas City Council approved a staff plan Nov. 18 to install additional street lighting and a set of surveillance cameras in an Alisal neighborhood identified as a site of prostitution and human‑trafficking activity.

Staff members reported on a community meeting held Sept. 16 where residents overwhelmingly supported more lighting and cameras and opposed parking restrictions that they feared would harm neighborhood residents. The city contracted a lighting needs assessment that identified a first‑phase lighting package concentrated on Roosevelt and nearby blocks. The estimate for streetlighting was about $620,000; staff proposed using reprogrammed CDBG funds from the substantial amendment the council approved earlier in the meeting. Nine blade cameras for the focus area were estimated at approximately $94,000 and would be tied into the police department’s existing Genetec system.

Council asked about privacy and data access. Commander Aaron Short said the cameras would be purchased (not leased) and housed on the police Genetec system; only Salinas Police Department personnel would have access, and video would be shared with outside agencies only for specific criminal investigations when legally required. Short said cameras will not be monitored 24/7 but would enable targeted surveillance when the department has reason to believe activity is occurring.

The council approved proceeding with procurement and use of the identified funding sources. Staff said procurement and installation would proceed after HUD approves the CDBG substantial amendment and that a bid process would likely take 60–90 days.