ATM scammers are back in Fresno, outwitting banks, convenience store owners, and customers with sophisticated new technology. A video showing an overlay pad on a card reader at the 7-Eleven at Golden State and Shaw Avenue in Fresno has gone viral on social media, and the Fresno Police Department says...
Fresno Wants to Watch You as You Park at the Park
Update, 7/15/21: the Fresno City Council approved installing vehicle license plate readers at Roeding and Woodward parks by a 6-0 vote. Councilman Garry Bredefeld was not present, as he is out of town. Original story: Fresno officials wants to implement new parking technology for visitors at two of the city's...
Did Police Get What They Need from Fresno’s New $1.4 Billion Budget?
The Fresno City Council passed the $1.4 billion budget by a 5-2 vote. Council members debated on how well city funding improves police. Councilmembers Garry Bredefeld and Mike Karbassi, who both voted no on the budget, felt more could have been done. "Every one of us campaign on (public safety)....
Facebook Sales Helping Fuel Illegal Fireworks Problem in Fresno, says Police Chief
Facebook posts selling illegal fireworks are among the latest challenges faced by Fresno officials trying to clamp down on nightly and noisy aerial displays roiling neighborhoods across the city. Police Chief Paco Balderrama says the social media posts are just one part of a network of illegal sales his department...
How Will Fresno Recruit More Police Officers? Decisions Coming This Week.
For years, the Fresno City Council has heard about vacancies in the police department, affecting the agency's ability to keep the city safe. In his first budget hearing, Police Chief Paco Balderrama kept the familiar theme during a session that lasted for more than four hours. There is money in...
Fired Fresno Cop Being Investigated Over Sacramento Protest
Sacramento police are investigating whether former Fresno police officer Rick Fitzgerald committed a crime during a November rally. "We can confirm that there is an active investigation involving that person (Fitzgerald) and an incident that occurred in Sacramento. In order to protect the integrity of the investigation we are unable...
Fresno Names Police Reform Board to Implement Policy Changes
Last year, a special committee recommended 73 ways to reform the Fresno Police Department in the wake of local and national protests over law enforcement practices. Now, a new 8-member board will help carry out those suggestions. The original reform committee, created last year after the death of George Floyd...
City’s Next Police Chief Has Different Views Than His Predecessors. Here’s What He Said.
When the national search for Fresno's next police chief launched — for the first time — last year, Paco Balderrama didn't think he was ready. In April 2019, he had just become the first Latino deputy chief in Oklahoma City's history. He didn't feel he had enough experience at that...
Policing Changes Coming to Fresno. Implementation is Next Step.
Policing in the city of Fresno is about to change. The Fresno City Council voted to formally accept 73 recommendations from the Commission on Police Reform. However, more steps need to take place before such recommendations become policy. "It's an issue that has been simmering for years," Mayor Lee Brand...
Police Cite Dozens of Bicyclists and Pedestrians in Fresno Enforcement Operation
Bicyclists and pedestrians aren't usually the ones targeted for citation during police safety enforcement operations. Well, those tables turned on Monday when the Fresno Police Department cited dozens of them for multiple violations. Yes, jaywalking was included. In total, police issued 73 citations to bicyclists, pedestrians and some drivers between...