After 42 years of service, former Fresno police chief Andrew Hall "signed off" on Thursday. Hall gave way to new chief Paco Balderrama on Monday, completing a 16-month run as police chief. Surrounded by many colleagues at police headquarters, including his predecessor and now Mayor Jerry Dyer, Hall took part...
Fresno’s New Police Chief Says No Honeymoon Period. ‘Violent Crime is Number One.’
Paco Balderrama thought he would have a honeymoon period as Fresno's new police chief. A recent surge in violent crime changed his mind. "Initially, I had a 30, 60, 90 day plan to kind of ease in and get to know everybody, not just the department members, but also the...
After Violent Crime Op This Weekend, Hall Will Hand Over Fresno PD Reins
Paco Balderrama will be sworn in as Fresno’s next police chief on Monday. He was first introduced on December 8 during a virtual news conference. Current Chief Andy Hall's last official full day as the top cop is Sunday. He's overseeing one last violent crime suppression operation through this weekend. The...
Police Say 68% Arrested in Fresno Violence Crackdown Already Released. Operation Extended.
The Fresno Police Department launched a violent crime suppression operation on October 6 in response to an increase in murders and shootings. It was scheduled to end after the holidays, but in a Wednesday news release, Police Chief Andy Hall said, "we are continuing to see an unacceptable amount of...
Fresno Detective Arrested. Was Texting Before Fatal Collision with Pedestrian, Police Say.
Fresno police detective Benito Soto was arrested Wednesday on a number of charges stemming from his involvement in a fatal night time accident that killed a homeless man near downtown Fresno. A search of Soto’s cell phone showed he was texting while driving, which led to the Sept. 5 accident,...
A ‘Well Liked’ Veteran Fresno Police Officer Is in the Hospital With COVID-19
A 'well liked' veteran Fresno police officer is in the hospital with COVID-19. "I can't get into the particulars on it, but he has had some complications with COVID-19," Fresno Police Sgt. Jeff LaBlue tells GV Wire℠. "We're waiting to see how the medication takes to his body." LaBlue says the officer's...
Man Arrested After Taking Fresno College Instructor Hostage at Her Home
A Fresno City College student is in custody after taking his former instructor hostage at her home, police said Thursday. The rescue of the unidentified instructor unfolded Thursday morning, The Fresno Bee reported, with a retired Tulare County Sheriff’s deputy who lived nearby interceding with his firearm before police could arrive....
Police Reform Panel Will Send 73 Recommendations to Fresno Mayor, Council
The final Fresno Commission on Police Reform meeting has been pushed back from Monday until Thursday evening at 5 p.m. on Zoom. The commission will be voting on its final report to send to the Fresno City Council. Commission chair Oliver Baines said a few extra days were needed to finish...
Fresno’s Top Cops Call Out Newsom on Closed Prisons
Fresno's top law enforcement officials called out Gov. Gavin Newsom to reopen prisons. After an increase in violent crime in the city, Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp and several law enforcement leaders addressed the media at a Wednesday afternoon news conference at the county Plaza Building. Smittcamp Calls Out...
Social Media Posts Claim a Gang Is Randomly Shooting at People. What Does Fresno PD Say?
Social media posts have been popping up claiming a new gang in Fresno called "Catch a Body" is pulling up to random cars and opening fire. Fresno Police Department Deputy Chief Mark Salazar tells GV Wire℠by Zoom it's all just make believe. Listen to this article: "It has driven some...