What will it mean for public safety?
The Parlier Police department is dealing with budget cuts.
It comes at the same time the city is dealing with its latest murder.
69-year old Robert Lopez is accused of killing his nephew.
The shooting happened Wednesday night at the Salandini Villa Apartments.
Police say there's been a murder every year for the last few years at the complex.
But as CBS 47's Lemor Abrams reports, there's a feeling of uneasiness inside the department.
The first homicide of the year comes as the force expects to lose a few officers as a result of budget cuts.
The Salandini Villa Apartments is home to families with small children, but it turned into a crime scene Wednesday night.
“It was reported that two family members were engaged in a gun battle,” Police Chief David Cerda said.
Parlier Police found a 40-year old man shot dead on the floor of his apartment.
The victim's uncle is behind bars, facing homicide charges.
“He was identified as the suspect...also known as the family member-the uncle who was engaged in a gun battle with the nephew,” Chief Cerda said.
Police Chief David Cerda says the motive is still under investigation. But there's a disturbing twist.
Last year, he says the victim's son was stabbed to death in a gang-related disturbance, in the same apartment complex.
Some neighbors are now afraid to appear on camera.
“[I’m} worried because these things happen more and more and more...repeatedly...yes repeatedly,” a mom said without identifying her name or face on camera.
As the city's crime goes up, the force braces for another round of budget cuts that could slice the department in half.
Incidentally, officers were inside a council meeting to defend their positions, when they were called out to the shooting.
The council will vote in two weeks on how to slash the department.
