Violent Crime Down in Fresno

Some good news when it comes to your safety in Fresno. 

Violent crime is down. But break-ins, of cars and homes, are on the rise.

Murders in Fresno are at the lowest level they’ve been in ten years. There were 35 murders in 2011 compared to 45 in 2010 – a decline of 26 percent.  

“Our goal is to have zero murders in our city,” said Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer.

In the last year, Dyer has focused on combating violent crime.  

Rapes are down almost 32 percent. Robberies are down half a percent.

“Those are some incredible numbers when you consider the poverty we face in Fresno, the challenges we face with our inability to incarcerate and hold people in jail,” Dyer said. 

Overcrowding at the Fresno County jail has lead to early releases of thousands of prisoners. Also, adding more pressure is the fact state inmates are now serving time at the local jail or being released early instead of going to state prisons.

Some crimes are on the rise in Fresno. Burglaries are up 8%, more cars and homes broken into.  

“I’m pleased with our violent crime reduction numbers, but we have a lot more work to do in terms of reducing property crime numbers,” Dyer said.

The police department has cut hundreds of employees to balance the budget.

And during our live Town Hall meeting, Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin said the public can help prevent crime.

“They're calling on residents to volunteer, to implement neighborhood watch. The public can get involved to fill the gap,” Mayor Swearengin said. 

The police department offers assistance to set up Neighborhood Watch programs. You can get more information by calling the department at 621-7000.