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CBS News
7 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Manteca residents weigh in on police staffing in community focus group
One per 1,000 — that's the so-called "standard" of how many police officers are needed per 1,000 residents. In Manteca, the police department is trying to change that standard by becoming more efficient. "We're doing a data-driven analysis of our actual numbers, crunching them to see how many officers we actually need for patrol to adequately protect this community," Manteca Police Chief Stephen Schluer said. The Manteca Police Department has 83 officers, with 44 on patrol. On Wednesday, they held a community focus group asking the public to weigh in on what they consider safe staffing levels within the department. "I think our police department has matured, improved a great deal over the last four to eight years," Manteca resident Judy Blumhorst shared. "I think we've turned over. We're using our resources better and we're also able to fund things a little better." The group also discussed topics like overall safety within the city and what residents like and don't like about the department, all to help shape its future and how the city uses its Measure Q sales tax money over the next 20 years. "A lot of it is towards public safety," Blumhorst continued. "This is supposed to be dedicated to public safety, and there is a commission of citizens who are supposed to review and make a report every year. We have no legislative power, but we do have oversight pulpit." This community meeting regarding police staffing has been years in the making. While present at the beginning, the police chief stepped out of the meeting for a reason. "I wanted to be them to be able to speak freely without having police representatives there and get their honest input because that's what we need," Chief Schluer explained. "We need honest input from the public." The last time Manteca police asked for public input like this was more than a decade ago. With residents and the police department coming together, they hope to build a more effective and transparent relationship.
CBS News
06-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Over 500 red-light violations occur in Manteca in just 1 month, police say
Manteca police issue nearly 500 citations in 1 month for red light runners at two intersections Manteca police issue nearly 500 citations in 1 month for red light runners at two intersections Manteca police issue nearly 500 citations in 1 month for red light runners at two intersections MANTECA — The City of Manteca is cracking down on red light runners. The police department says they've already issued over 500 citations in one month, and not all of their red light cameras are up and running yet. Eventually, there will be multiple intersections where these cameras will be — 14 right-of-ways in total — to catch people breaking the law. It's at busy intersections like Daniels St. and Airport Way where you can see multiple red light cameras. "It's a bit surprising, maybe alarming, that many people are running a red light," said Manteca Police Chief Stephen Schluer. Chief Schluer said there were 527 red-light citations issued during the month of May in the city. He says the city has five red light cameras that are already active, but people are still driving "10 to 15 miles per hour over the speed limit as they just run through a red light." Each violation costs drivers a $490 fine, and a portion of it goes back into the department. "That goes back into the red light camera fund. We pay our bill of $5,250 per approach, and the remaining of that stays in the general fund for the police department," Schluer said. The goal is to use the money to hire a community service officer to handle smaller incidents. "Free up our traffic officers by taking minor collisions, to continue doing their daily duties of writing citations, patrolling," he said. Nine more cameras will become active once they're online and after their 30-day grace periods, where drivers are issued warnings instead of citations. All are expected to be online later this year. "This isn't for revenue. It's for safety," Schluer said. "If people are stopping at red lights, they're stopping at others too because it becomes a habit." Next February, Schluer will give a presentation to the council on its total number of citations and the program's effectiveness, and the council can decide if it's worth continuing.
