Santa Maria Motels Magnet For Crime - KCOY Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo - News

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- Some motels in Santa Maria are attracting more than just visitors looking for a place to stay the night but rather serious criminal activity.

Santa Maria police say they receive numerous calls from motels along the South Broadway area which seems to be a magnet from criminals.

Police responded to the Buckboard Motel on the 1600 block of South Broadway after a woman was shot in the leg.

They found a trail of blood leading from the parking lot but the room was empty.

And this is isn't the first time motels in this area have had problems.

"We have had many calls for service at the Buckboard and many calls for service at local motels," says Lieutenant James Ginter.

Just last month, the man accused of running over and killing his girlfriend was discovered at a Motel 6 on Preisker Lane after failing to appear in court.

Police found a car stolen by a carjacking ring just a few weeks earlier.

Police say criminals may be attracted to motels like these due to the low rates.

"People that own the hotels, they can't do a background check. They don't screen the people and it may be that you do have some people that are less desirable that stay there on occasion and we get calls, says Ginter.

He says there's little the community can do.

"The community has little input as to who stays and who doesn't stay at the hotel. The hotel manager on any give night they allow someone to stay there, they don't know if they are good or bad. They're just doing business," says Ginter.

Police say they are working with local motels providing suggestions on how to prevent and address crime at their businesses.