No one doubts that violence continues to be on the rise in Santa Cruz. Just last Friday night, a 17-year-old girl was shot in the hand during a car chase in what police are describing as yet another instance of gang-related violence, while the rival Vagos and Hell’s Angels motorcycle gangs are fighting over turf in the city. And in the middle of all this, Police Chief Howard Skerry’s resignation goes into effect next week.
City Manager Martin Bernal seems to be in no rush to find a replacement. He says that no decision has been made yet as to who will replace Skerry, but there is also no job posting on the city’s website. In the event that a replacement for Skerry is not found in the coming week, Deputy Police Chief Kevin Vogel will take over as Acting Police Chief.
Meanwhile, UC Santa Cruz Police Chief Mickey Aluffi is retiring this November, leaving the university’s force leaderless as well. Read more at Santa Cruz Sentinel.
