Calexico police shortage

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Community members spoke out about the high crime and shortage of police officers at the Calexico City Council meeting on November 2.

The Calexico Police Department says in the last four years there's been an increase in property crime and crimes against people including robberies.

The Department says its budget has decreased over the years to $5.6 million.

In 2008 they had a budget of almost $10 million.

One of the citizens at the meeting last night said she's concerned with all the crime.

“Three cars were broken into or attempted to be broken into... and why did they do that because people know there is no police," said Diana Luricungo, a citizen of Calexico

Right now, the Calexico police department has a shortage and tells us it has 25 police officers, when the department should have closer to 40.

“Other issue that comes up you know problems with the neighbor civil issue we have 3 officers and supervisors that does that on a twelve hour bases of the shift for all twenty four hours of the day," said Jesus Serrano, Police Chief of Calexico.

The Department tells us they are looking to bring more police officers to the city.

“We are currently recruiting police officers and reserves... what we are trying to do is build our police force to increase our numbers so we can have enough officers out there to meet that one per thousand population of officers,” said Jesus Serrano.