The 50 young professional women of PINC continue to raise their game on behalf of Greater Fresno. On Tuesday, the group presented a $150,000 check to Breaking the Chains, a nonprofit dedicated to combatting human trafficking and helping survivors. "This opportunity is a game-changer for our community," said Debra Rush,...
Pence: California Health Care Expansion Will Boost Human Trafficking
Vice President Mike Pence worries that a new California law extending health care to illegal immigrants will weaken the border. Pence reacted to California Gov. Gavin Newsom signing SB 104 into law on Tuesday. The bill extends taxpayer-funded health benefits to all low-income Californians 25 or under, regardless of immigration...
DA Smittcamp Talks Gangs, Stolen Guns, Sentencing Reforms
Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp is calling for a community-wide effort to prevent children from joining gangs. She also has a message for otherwise law-abiding citizens: Lock up your guns! If you don't, they could end up used in robberies and murders. Here is what Smittcamp has to say...
Walters: Slavery in 21st Century California? It's Real.
Some years ago, I was flying from Orange County to Sacramento and happened to sit next to a woman who was headed to a meeting in the capital on human trafficking. She told me she had escaped from an abusive marriage to a wealthy man in Pakistan and since coming...
Human Trafficking Bulldog Gang Member Faces Life in Prison
A member of the Bulldogs street gang is headed to federal prison after being found guilty on drug and human trafficking charges Thursday. Filiberto “Beto” Chavez, 37, was found guilty of distributing and possessing methamphetamine, and conspiracy to engage in interstate travel for prostitution. A federal grand jury also convicted...
Brand to Human Traffickers: All of Fresno Is Coming After You!
Fresno Mayor Lee Brand put human traffickers on notice Wednesday morning. We're coming after you. We're arresting you. You're going to prison. And here's one more thing: The flophouses on Parkway Drive and Blackstone Avenue better clean up their acts. If they don't, the city will take them over. No ifs,...
Mayor Lee Brand's 2018 State of the City Address
Fresno Mayor Lee Brand gave his 2018 State of the City address on June 20 at the Fresno Convention Center. The luncheon event is organized annually by the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. Brand talked about a variety of issues including water, homelessness, public safety, fiscal challenges and economic development. You...
With Congress on Board, It's Not Business as Usual for Fresno Pimps & Their Allies
From the streets and courtrooms of Fresno to the halls of Congress and the White House, human traffickers are being sent a loud message. Americans are fed up with them preying on vulnerable young women and boys and shattering their lives. Following the overwhelming passage of the Fight Online Sex Trafficking...
Ride Along With Fresno PD As They Take Down a Pimp
The Fresno Police Department, under Police Chief Jerry Dyer, is teaming with District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp to crack down on human trafficking and educate the public that prostitution is not a victimless crime. In addition, local nonprofits such as Breaking the Chains are providing victims — many of whom are...
Ride Along With Fresno PD As They Take Down a Pimp
The Fresno Police Department, under Police Chief Jerry Dyer, is teaming with District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp to crack down on human trafficking and educate the public that prostitution is not a victimless crime. In addition, local nonprofits such as Breaking the Chains are providing victims — many of whom are...