The Monterey Fire Department will begin conducting fire safety inspections on June 1, 2021, for all homes in areas at risk for a wildland fire within the cities of Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel, and Sand City. This inspection is done on an annual basis to help minimize the spread and growth of a wildland fire and reduce the potential loss of homes in such an event. Once the inspection has been completed, the fire department will only leave a notice at the home if any corrective actions should be taken by the homeowner/occupant. The notices will be in the form of a self-adhesive notice left on or near the door. NEWS RELEASE IN PDF

Timing played an important role when the City of Monterey Fire Department came upon an opportunity to replace an aged Type 3 wildland engine received via a grant from the Fort Ord Reuse Authority 17 years ago. A typical lifespan of a rigorously used fire engine is 15 years. With longer and more devastating wildfires happening throughout the state for several years now, the wildland engines are used extensively for mutual aid throughout the state. When resources are sent out on statewide mutual aid assignments, the City is reimbursed the cost of staff and for the use of vehicles. Over the past seven fiscal years, reimbursements for vehicles have been nearly $575,000, the majority of which has been credited to the City’s Equipment Replacement Fund. NEWS RELEASE AND PHOTOS IN PDF

On May 16, 2021 at approximately 4:22 p.m. Monterey Police Officers were dispatched to an in progress robbery at Super Cuts, 488 Alvarado Street. Dispatch informed officers the suspect was inside the business, threatening employees and demanding money. NEWS RELEASE AND PHOTO IN PDF

Thanks to solid vaccination rates that continue to climb locally and throughout California, the Cities of Monterey, Pacific Grove, and Carmel, are breathing a collective sigh of relief that the Peninsula can offer a fun and restful respite from the pandemic for families celebrating Memorial Day weekend, May 29 - 31, 2021. Last Memorial Day weekend was a much grimmer picture. Required social distancing and newly mandated mask wearing, along with closed businesses and beaches were spawned by increasing COVID-19 infection rates and a critical situation in many hospitals. NEWS RELEASE IN PDF

On May 14, 2021 at approximately 12:10 a.m., Monterey Police Officers were dispatched to a single vehicle collision on Del Monte Avenue at Cunningham Road. Officers arrived on scene and observed a sedan that appeared to have been traveling east on Del Monte Avenue when it lost control and struck a utility pole. Officers and medical personnel attempted to render aid to the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. Tragically, the driver succumbed to injuries sustained from the collision. The driver was identified as Demarshe Ervin, 27 years old of Salinas. NEWS RELEASE IN PDF