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Dyer Calms Protester, Invites Him to Panhandling Discussion
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
April 10, 2019

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Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer demonstrated his leadership skills Wednesday at a street corner news conference unveiling a plan to discourage panhandling.
While city councilmembers Garry Bredefeld, Miguel Arias, and Paul Caprioglio announced their plan, a truck pulled around the corner of Blackstone and Herndon avenues where the news conference was taking place. The man stopped and blared his horn, temporarily disrupting the event.

City council will consider installing these signs to discourage panhandling (GV Wire/David Taub)

Dyer In Action

Dyer, a supporter of the “Help Us, Help Fresno” initiative, approached the truck. He explained to the motorist, Brian Bobbitt, what the ordinance does and doesn’t do.
“Trust me … I opposed the other one because it was enforcement against the people asking,” Dyer told Bobbitt about the defeated STOP ordinance.
He convinced Bobbitt to pull around so he wasn’t blocking traffic and join in the news conference, which he did. Dyer also agreed to meet with him later.
Bobbitt said that the homeless issue affected his family, and he had concerns about the barriers some shelters have in taking in the homeless.

Council Sign Plan

As far as “Help Us, Help Fresno,” the plan is to spend $20,000 to distribute 150 signs at busy intersections and requesting businesses. They ask that motorists don’t give to panhandlers and, instead, donate to charities.
Bredefeld said this solution was proposed after the council voted down “STOP,” the Safe Transfer of Objects to Pedestrians ordinance March 21. That plan would have fined drivers for transferring anything (money, water, etc.) from their car to a pedestrian.
The council will debate the resolution Thursday (April 11) at 2 p.m.

Watch Video of Dyer’s Interaction with Protester


 

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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