Citing a rise in violent crime, Fresno police chief Andy Hall announced on Wednesday the formation of a city-wide violent crime suppression task force.
Posting on Facebook, Fresno police said, “In the month of September alone, our community has suffered 104 shooting incidents and 12 murders.” The department pointed to changes in criminal justice policy as the key factor.
“The implementation of $0 bail, state-wide early release from prisons, and revolving doors at our local jail has caused this city’s violent crime to more than double from previous years.” the department’s message said. “This lack of accountability has caused a surge in gang activity in our City.”
The post also noted, “Since $0 bail and early releases were implemented in April, Fresno has seen a 126 % increase in shootings and 55 % increase in murders.”
The department said 80% of the homicides this year have been gang motivated.
Federal Prosecution
Police say they’ll use every tool at their disposal to hold those accountable for violence in the community. This will include high visibility patrols in crime stricken neighborhoods and federal prosecution for specific gun crimes. The post said Hall and District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp have met with state and federal law enforcement partners to coordinated responses.
Recent Shootings
Reports from local television stations KSEE and KGPE detailed several shootings in the last week:
A man is in critical condition after a shooting in central Fresno Sunday afternoon, according to Fresno police. Authorities say they responded to the area of Ashlan and Marks avenues just before 5:00 p.m. for the call. Witnesses at the scene told police two separate groups exchanged gunfire between each other then fled the area. Shortly after, the California Highway Patrol advised Fresno police there was a victim of a shooting in the area of Highway 99 between Ashlan and Shields avenues.
Police are investigating a drive-by shooting that killed a 46-year-old man in southeast Fresno last Friday night. Authorities say they responded to the area of Barton and Wahington avenues at around 10:00 p.m. for a call of a victim of a shooting. When the officers arrived at the scene they found a dead 46-year-old man lying on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound to the head.
Shots were fired after a group of people got into an argument in northwest Fresno Friday afternoon, according to Fresno police. Police say they responded to the Platinum Tire and Wheel tire shop near the area of Bullard and Blackstone avenues at around 5:00 p.m. for a group of people that got into an argument which led to a shooting. No injuries were reported.
‘We’re in the Middle of a Crime Wave’
During a September 24 Fresno City Council meeting, Councilman Luiz Chavez said 600 criminals have been released back into the city since April.
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“We’re in the middle of a crime wave, and that is not a term that I use loosely because that’s how it’s being described here in our city,” Chavez said. “And we need to really step up and prioritize public safety.” He said merchants on the Kings Canyon/Ventura corridor have been targeted.
Chavez blamed the state for criminal justice reform promises he says haven’t been kept. Councilman Garry Bredefeld also blamed the state by pointing to $0 bail releases during COVID-19.
Andyfab
October 8, 2020 at 3:56 pm
Get ready to have Fresno’s overzealous, gun slinging police officers start crashing through your doors because “they think” there’s a violent crime happening in your home when all it is is a re-run of “Hunter” or “T.J. Hooker” playing on your television. Get ready, Fresno, for an increase in “excessive force” or “wrongful death” lawsuits. Pretty soon we will have to pass a Police Bond Measure to pay off all of the settled lawsuits as well as the future ones.
Willy
October 8, 2020 at 9:46 pm
AndyFab grow up Fresno PD has no time to be over zealous they are after hardened criminals that Newsom let out of prison to prey on citizens. Our crime is up 300% its not fantasy land or TJ Hooker or other nonsense its real world issues.
All police forces have “lawsuits” as long as the law allows people to file and there is greedy attorneys it will never cease, what do you expect the Fresno Police not to protect and serve?
Obviously you are one of the defund nuts that blame all the actions of criminals on the police. Maybe you should suggest people have better parenting and teach their kids not to kill other children, rob, and sell drugs on our streets . A little bit of responsibility and accountability goes a long way.
Stop the blame game. , wait till you call the police or sheriff and seconds count.
Police don’t just “crash through your door” unless they have a search or arrest warrant and you are not responding.
Stop being dramatic.
Fresno needs to get rid of this high crime rate and drug problem , also the burden is put on us tax payers for everything from the time these low lifes are in school we pay for their meals to their housing, books, education et.c, from our property taxes.
Greeka
October 9, 2020 at 8:33 am
Excellent comment Willy.
Jeff
October 11, 2020 at 12:23 pm
We would benefit from seeing some numbers: the percent of recent crimes that were committed by zero-bail and early release prisoners is one that I’ve never seen. Another set would compare local crime rate with local unemployment, during this pandemic, last year before the pandemic , and the last recession.
Smiley
October 12, 2020 at 10:04 am
Jeff, unemployment and pandemic are not a reason for committing a crime. I hope you don’t plant that seed in the mind of your offsprings. Give some thought to responsibility, respect and work ethics.
Max
November 8, 2020 at 11:50 am
If your unemployed then you received more money during that time so let’s debunk that crap right away. After over 25,000 prisoners were released early some by years get ready. Xmas is coming and that’s a bigger home invasion time. Thanks Newsom
Amanda Knapp
November 24, 2020 at 7:52 pm
Yes to all of this Jeff! How is a prompt for specific statistics to accurately assess a threat to the community possibly interpreted as a preposterous request?!
Tracy Lane
October 16, 2020 at 9:51 am
Meh… I live in Clovis.
Clayton L Casner
October 20, 2020 at 2:56 pm
@Tracy Lane. Its “our” backyard like it or not. We are in it as a whole. Stand united stay united. We may all be affected by violent crime one day. We all gotta be in it for the person next to us.