After a murder and two shootings in two nights, the Fresno Police Department is focusing its resources on areas where violence is on the rise.
We rode with officers tonight as they searched for those who could cause trouble.
Police are worried there will be retaliation for the murder and shooting on Wednesday evening. It was a gun battle between two different gangs. One man was killed. Another was wounded.
On Friday night, officers patrolled areas where those gang members hang out.
"Our primary focus tonight is hitting the gang areas. Really trying to focus on the areas that have been plagued with the shootings and gang violence and trying to impact that," said Officer Brandon Lyon, a member of the Violent Crime Impact Team.
VCIT is stopping known criminals, including a man who has several warrants for his arrest on drug charges.
More than a dozen officers patrolled the area where the shooting and murder occurred Wednesday. They're concerned about more violence.
"That's what we're really focusing on is the retaliation and preventing another shooting from happening" said Officer Lyon.
Officers were in that neighborhood when the murder occurred and quickly caught the gunmen.
The residents we spoke with Friday night were happy to see police. But they were scared to appear on camera.
They're worried about the gangs. Gang members are becoming more bold.
In the past few months, we've seen shootings during the middle of the day, even early in the morning.
"If they see a rival gang member they're going to take the action they feel they have to take against him," said Officer Lyon.
That's why police are trying to be visible and proactive, to put an end to the increase in violence.