FRESNO (KMJ) — Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer says they need to increase the number of officers out on patrol because those who commit crimes don’t fear the justice system like they once did.
From last year – crime figures show shootings are up, robberies are up, and fatal traffic collisions are up.
“We know we’re challenged by a number of factors. One of those is a lack of consequences within our criminal justice system”.
“We know that when other parts of the criminal justice system are not as strong as they once were, what it really requires an increased presence of law enforcement out on the field to deter crime and apprehend those individuals that are committing crime very quickly”.
But Chief Dyer says in order to have more cops on the streets – more need to be recruited.
“The other challenge that we face quite frankly is our hiring and the inability to keep pace with the number of officers that are leaving this organization”.
The comments were made during the City Council’s budget hearing.
Chief Dyer says they’ve been struggling to find enough recruits to fill the ranks, with officers on detective assignments having to be put on patrol to make sure the streets stay safe.
