SANTA MARIA, Calif.- The shooting death of Jose Ortega is the latest in what has been a disturbing trend of death or violent crime in the area.
Local business owners and residents say much of the problem originates at low-cost, budget motels in the area.
They say the motels have become "magnets for criminal activity."
Some of the motels even receive taxpayer subsidies for providing temporary housing for the mentally ill, recovering addicts, sex offenders, parolees and probationers.