The bats are swinging once again after a season that was suspended by violence. A domestic argument at a game last week led to gunfire and now North Vallejo Little League parents are stepping up to the plate and requesting more police presence around the parks.
"It's a dangerous community out there. These are some of the faces that get on the field out there. Don't let tragedy happen to these [kids]," said Greg Reason, the North Vallejo Little League president.
Also last week, league officials say nearby gunfire had players running into a dugout for shelter, but police say it's not that simple to assign an officer there.
"Our officers are stretched pretty thin in the sense that we have to go from one priority call to the other," said Vallejo Police Lt. Sid DeJesus.
In a city that filed for bankruptcy, there should be about 160 sworn officers on duty. There are only 85.
"We hope we can get some concessions and we can hire more police. We also have a new tax measure that we're talking about. We approved hiring five new officers and hopefully there will be more coming in the future," said City Council Vice President Stephanie Gomes.
Right now, any special assignments would cost overtime pay the city doesn't have. In the meantime, police say the best they can do is drive by the park when they're not overwhelmed with priority calls.
