Citing a rise in violent crime, Fresno police chief Andy Hall announced on Wednesday the formation of a city-wide violent crime suppression task force. Posting on Facebook, Fresno police said, "In the month of September alone, our community has suffered 104 shooting incidents and 12 murders." The department pointed to changes in...
Questions Arise Over Holdback of Fresno PD Use of Force Critique
Several Fresno City Council members criticized police auditor John Gliatta for withholding a report regarding allegations of police use of excessive force during a January 2019 arrest. Gliatta told a subcommittee of the Commission on Police Reform he was concerned about releasing his findings only weeks after the George Floyd death...
On Any Given Day, 3% of Fresno Police Workforce Is Sidelined Due to COVID-19
Fresno police officers don't always have a choice when it comes to social distancing. On any given day, 3% of the department's employees are out due to the pandemic. Whether they have the virus themselves or have been in contact with someone that has, they are sidelined. In an instant,...
Blue Lives Matter. Hundreds March in Fresno to Support PD.
When hundreds gathered in downtown Fresno on Thursday afternoon for a march to support police, it was short on ceremony but long on appreciation. Carrying American flags, "Support the Blue" flags, and various political messages on signs, about 300 gathered at City Hall. They marched down Tulare Street with a...
Colorful Fresno Rally Promotes Newsom Recall, Trump Reelection and More
A street corner rally in northeast Fresno this weekend attracted dozens of enthusiastic demonstrators supporting conservative causes. Participants who gathered at Champlain and Shepherd avenues waved large flags and held colorful signs advocating for a recall of Gov. Gavin Newsom, the reelection of President Trump, reopening schools, and supporting police....
Advance Peace Is Approved, but Arias and Hall Remain at Odds
Even though the Fresno City Council approved funding for Advance Peace, perhaps council president Miguel Arias and police chief Andrew Hall didn't get the message Thursday. They continued their public sniping at each other during the debate. Also in Politics 101: Arias, Hall snipe at each other over police metrics....
Chabad Fresno Thanks Police with ‘Copcakes’
Chabad Fresno wanted to thank police for the service they provide. So, they set up a canopy at their Shepherd Avenue synagogue on Wednesday to hand out "copcakes" and water to police officers who came by. Fresno police officer Steve Jacobson even received an impromptu "Bar Mitzvah" ceremony, complete with...
Fresno Approves Permanent Ban on Carotid Restraint Use by Police
The Fresno City Council voted to outlaw the carotid restraint hold by police at its Thursday meeting. It was one of several significant items on the council's meeting agenda: Also in Politics 101: City Council approves carotid restraint ban. Hold would still be allowed under certain circumstances. Could there be a...
Suspect Writes an Apology After Fresno Police Track Down Stolen Little League Property
A bit of digital sleuthing by the victim of a Little League building break-in helped police track down a couple of suspects. The ensuing events involved some nifty Facebook work, some boots on the ground police work, an American flag, and a handwritten apology letter from one of the suspects....
Fresno Considers Permanent Ban on Carotid Restraint Use by Police
The Fresno City Council will consider immediately outlawing the carotid restraint hold by police at its Thursday meeting. It's one of several significant items on the council's meeting agenda: Also in Politics 101: City Council considers carotid restraint ban. Hold would still be allowed under certain circumstances. Could there be a...