Ventura police add more security cameras to the promenade after deadly stabbing

Ventura police have increased patrol and added additional security cameras nearly two weeks after 35-year-old Anthony Mele was fatally stabbed while having dinner at Aloha Steak House.

Ventura police are making their presence known all along the promenade.

“We have added some shifts of additional patrol, 2-4 officers will be patrolling this area for a large majority of the day,” said Tom Higgins, who is the Ventura police public information officer.

The added patrols follow the stabbing death of Anthony Mele two weeks ago while having dinner with his wife and daughter at Aloha Steak House. Jamal Jackson, who is listed as homeless, is accused of walking into the restaurant and stabbing Mele in the neck while his 5-year-old daughter Willow was sitting on his lap.

Just a few hours before the killing, Ventura police were keeping an eye on Jackson through security cameras set up along the promenade almost six years ago. Since the murder police have added more.

“We are increasing those numbers just along the promenade,” said Higgins. “We have had some installed from Marina Park to Surfer Point.”

Some residents say adding camera’s won’t help. One resident who wanted to remain anonymous said they need more police presence.

“It’s a little too late. You know the cameras are fine but it doesn’t intimidate, it doesn’t help much.”

Ventura police were watching Jackson after getting multiple calls of him being disruptive. They watched him on surveillance because no officers were free to respond at that moment.

Police declined to comment on the killing, but believe adding additional security cameras will give them extra sets of eyes.