Salem police sweep city's north side in response to surge in violent crimes

Salem Police took to the streets and parks of the city's north side en masse Thursday and Friday in response the recent surge in violent crimes in the area.

Police made nine arrests on charges including parole violations and menacing constituting domestic violence. Suspects were mostly adults, though one was a juvenile, according to the police department. 

The arrests were not directly tied to ongoing investigations into the earlier violent crimes, according to police spokesman Treven Upkes. Still, police were generating leads, he said.

"None of those charges are related to the shootings," Upkes said. Homicide and shooting investigations remain underway.

Gangs:Salem Police disbands gang task force, shifts focus

Trafficking:Man who killed sex trafficking victim at Salem motel sentenced to life in prison

Earlier this month the area saw two suspected homicides within three hours of each other, two drive-by shootings, a report of shots fired and a stabbing.

"This is in addition to those types of things," Upkes said.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation joined Salem officers in the sweep for total of 41 law enforcement officials, police said. Not everyone was walking the streets, however.

Among the heavily patrolled spots were the areas of Market Street NE and Evergreen Avenue NE, McKay Park near McKay High School, Englewood Park and Northgate Park, along with the surrounding areas, according to Upkes.

Residents have wanted increased patrols of late, Upkes said. With limited resources for the police force, he said, patrol officers right now spend most time responding to calls for service. The police action this week was a proactive move to go look for people instead of responding directly to calls for service.

Upkes said he walked around Northgate and Englewood parks. Police were greeted by many families out enjoying the parks, he said. There was soccer, barbecue and kids out playing, he said. 

Among the suspects arrested for serious crimes:

• Gerardo Daniel Obregon-Longares, 18, for second-degree robbery 
• Jesse Jimenez, 23, for menacing constituting domestic violence and a parole violation
• Jesus Valentin Renteria-Arellano, 18, for two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and additional charges

Jonathan Bach has been a reporter with the Statesman Journal since 2016. To support his work, Subscribe to the Statesman Journal. Contact him by email at jbach@statesmanjournal.com, call (503) 399-6714 or follow him on Twitter @jonathanmbach.