STOCKTON, Calif. — Cynthia Cortez lives in a home a short distance down the street from the scene of a triple homicide just days ago.
She welcomes any extra police presence to help keep her safe.
"I think they're doing a really good job about being around more often, really stopping a lot of people," Cortez told ABC10.
Police have been more visible patrolling in neighborhoods like Finland Avenue and North F Street, near Filbert Street where three young people were killed last Friday.
As a result, three days in a row have netted a series of arrests resulting in eight illegal guns being taken off the streets.
"Every day they're taking guns out of those neighborhoods. And, we know we're preventing some type of retaliatory type of shootings by just doing that," said Silva.
Silva says confiscating the guns involves a two-part approach: One, a saturation of patrol cars in neighborhoods impacted by the deadly violence. And, two, walking door-to-door to talk to neighbors and listen to their concerns.
"[We are] also educating them on how they can stay connected with the police department and report crimes anonymously through Stockton Crime Stoppers," said Silva.
Jaime Cardona also lives near where the three young lives were taken. He has no doubt the extra patrols bring extra peace.
"It's letting people know that their presence [is] here and you know they're protecting the streets, they're protecting the community," Cardona said.
And, as long as there's peace, Cortez welcomes the police.
"They need to patrol all of Stockton like this," she said.
So far, no arrests have been made in the five homicides that have happened since last Friday. If you have any information, call Stockton Crime Stoppers at 209-946-0600. You can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
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After five search and arrest warrants were served in Stockton and Tracy, law enforcement made multiple arrests on weapons-related charges.