Salinas >> The Salinas Police Department’s Violence Suppression Unit will be getting help from Homeland Security Investigations to probe cases of human trafficking and gang crime in the city.

“We’re glad to have the expert assistance of HSI, especially in protecting our residents from the horrible practice of human trafficking, which we’ve seen more of lately,” said Adele Fresé, the Salinas police chief, in a press release. “We also know that if residents see federal agents working with us, they may be worried it’s immigration enforcement, and I want to emphasize that it is not. Our city is safer when everyone feels secure in reporting crime to us.”

Homeland Security Investigations is a component of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is the nation’s second largest federal investigative agency. It is charged with focusing on transnational criminal activity. Homeland Security Investigations has dedicated an agent to work with the Salinas Violence Suppression Unit, and will work collaboratively on cases that are initiated based only on the crimes being committed, not someone’s immigration status.

Federal immigration law is not within the Salinas Police Department’s jurisdiction, and the department said it sees its mission as protecting the safety of all residents of Salinas, not investigating immigration status.

“Partnerships with law enforcement agencies, like the Salinas Police Department, are vital to help keep local residents safe,” said Ryan Spradlin, San Francisco area special agent in charge, in a statement. “When Homeland Security Investigations is involved in a case, it is not because of someone’s immigration status. It is because of the criminal activity they are suspected of committing. In fact, many of the people we investigate are U.S. citizens or here in the country legally.”

Homeland Security Investigations has unique statutory authorities and its agents are able to help the Salinas Police Department investigate many types of crimes including financial crimes, money laundering and bulk cash smuggling; commercial fraud and intellectual property theft; cyber crimes and online child predators; human rights violations; human smuggling and trafficking; document and benefit fraud; narcotics and weapons smuggling/trafficking; and transnational gang activity.

James Herrera can be reached at 831-726-4344.