After the fourth Tower District shooting since May, Fresno officials are planning an increased police presence, new parking and vendor restrictions, and additional lighting and security cameras to improve safety in the popular nightlife area.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer called for officers to be positioned in front of known trouble spots as part of the city’s response to the recent violence.

Sunday’s shooting, in which a gunman fired nine shots at close range and struck two people, occurred shortly after midnight outside MIA Nightclub.

“What we do know is (that) status quo is unacceptable,” Dyer said. “The level of violence is unacceptable. And we are moving and operating with a sense of urgency and with a zero tolerance approach and zero tolerance to violence.”

Police said people were standing shoulder to shoulder along the sidewalk outside the nightclub when the shooting occurred.

One person involved in the confrontation was struck by gunfire, along with an innocent bystander waiting in line to enter the nightclub. Both suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

A 16-year-old boy from Fowler was arrested Sunday night in connection with the shooting and is expected to face an attempted murder charge, Police Chief Mindy Casto said Monday.

Casto said about 12 officers were already deployed in other parts of the Tower District when the shooting occurred and responded to the scene.

Sidewalk Congestion a Major Concern

Dyer met Monday morning with about 40 team members, including City Council members Miguel Arias and Annalisa Perea, as well as Police Chief Mindy Casto, to identify recurring problems in the Tower District and discuss possible solutions.

One of the primary concerns is sidewalk congestion, particularly during popular events when large crowds gather in an area with limited space.

“When you get large numbers of people mixed with alcohol in a congregated area, and some of those people have feuds, prior feuds, it is a recipe for having violence,” Dyer said at a Monday news conference. “And that’s what we saw this (Sunday), and we’ve seen it here recently.”

Changes Coming to Parking, Vendors, and Lighting

One way the city plans to reduce congestion is by restricting where mobile vendors can operate in the Tower District.

Rather than allowing vendors to park or set up along sidewalks and curbs throughout the area, the city will require them to operate from a designated location at the southwest corner of Van Ness and Olive avenues.

“The days of the Wild Wild West in the Tower District corridor are behind us,” Arias said. “We’re gonna force everything from vendors parking in red areas that are meant for fire trucks.”

“The community will see that we’re gonna be enforcing rules across the board on everyone that is a guest in the Tower District, and also providing for these businesses and vendors a way to do business safely in the Tower District, Arias said.

Another planned change involves reducing curbside parking and converting spaces into designated passenger loading and unloading zones.

Dyer said the changes will affect about 18 parking spaces but “will give us a lot more area.”

The new loading and unloading zones are expected to take effect Thursday, with restrictions enforced around the clock. Dyer said the city could adjust enforcement hours in the future.

City officials also plan to install additional lighting and security cameras throughout the Tower District, beginning with temporary mobile lighting.

“We know that the more light that we can provide, the safer people feel and the safer people will be,” Dyer said. “So we are taking steps to increase the intensity of the LED lighting that we have in the Tower District. We may not have that done this week, but over a period of time, we are working towards that.”

The mobile lighting is also expected to be equipped with a security camera that can be monitored remotely.

Fresno to Enforce Curfew for Minors

The city also plans to enforce its curfew for minors, which prohibits those younger than 18 from being outside without an adult between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Officials are also working with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to ensure establishments comply with alcohol regulations and do not overserve customers.

“We will ensure that it becomes safer,” Arias said. “Everything continues to be on the table.”

Dyer echoed that commitment.

“It will be different. We’re going to make it safe. We’re going to stabilize the area of the Tower District.”

Tower District Community Meeting Set for Wednesday

A community meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Tower Theater, 815 E. Olive Ave.

Tower District residents and business owners are encouraged to attend.

Dyer, Arias, Perea, and representatives of the Fresno Police Department will address public safety concerns and discuss next steps for the area.