Published
9 months agoon
Homicides in the city of Fresno are trending down after a two-year spike.
Through Wednesday and with three days remaining in 2022, the city reported 59 homicides. That is down from 74 in both 2021 and 2020.
The pandemic-era homicide spike in Fresno reversed a trend of lower numbers in 2018-2019.
Meanwhile, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office reports that it has had 12 homicides in its patrol areas this year. That’s down from 13 homicides in 2021. The office had 12 in 2020 and 15 in 2019.
For this year, the county’s homicide rate in its unincorporated communities per 100,000 residents is 7.2. In 2021, it was 7.8 per 100,000.
Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama credited the local gang enforcement unit (MAGEC) for aiding the drop in homicides and violent crime in a recent tweet.
“I was privileged to accompany @FresnoPolice MAGEC gang enforcement in serving multiple search warrants today. This team works extremely hard and are highly motivated without complaints. MAGEC is a HUGE factor in helping lower violent crime by 30% this year. Thanks for all you do!” Balderrama wrote last month.
I was privileged to accompany @FresnoPolice MAGEC gang enforcement in serving multiple search warrants today. This team works extremely hard and are highly motivated without complaints. MAGEC is a HUGE factor in helping lower violent crime by 30% this year. Thanks for all you do! pic.twitter.com/7ajNKV8AAQ
— Chief Paco Balderrama (@BalderramaPaco) November 30, 2022
Balderrama also credits a focus on taking illegally possessed guns away from felons and gang members for the homicide reduction.
He praised the “consistent proactive policing by our patrol districts and specialized units” for their efforts in seizing illegal guns in a Nov. 12 tweet.
Related Story: Are Fresno Residents Safe? Here’s What 2021 Crime Stats Reveal
Clovis also reported lower homicide numbers. Year to date, Clovis has only reported two homicides. The city had five last year.
Comparing the numbers, through homicides per 100,000 residents, Fresno has 6.75 times more homicides than Clovis.
(GV Wire/David Rodriguez)
(Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office)
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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