fresno elections 2008

I support the city's dual approach to quash gangs through prevention and apprehension. If I could change anything, it would be to increase the focus on prevention. This means more after school programs, expanding park space and introducing employment and internship opportunities to our youth.

As for District 2, the department should increase neighborhood patrols. We need to tackle the graffiti, prevent speeding drivers from racing down residential streets and deter criminal elements from breaking car windows and other offenses.

Yes. I believe more proactive approaches need to be taken in order to keep kids out of gangs to begin with. The FUSD and Fresno Parks and Recreation have teamed up to provide after school recreational programs that are very successful. I fully support these programs as “Crime Prevention”.

I would continue to support the initiatives that our law enforcement agencies are currently working on.

For the most part, I support the efforts of the Fresno Police Department to fight the gang problem. Their aggressive round ups of Bulldog and other gang members not only keeps our streets safe but it saves lives. It also gives some gang member a chance to get out of the gang. With approximately 7,000 known gang members in Fresno we must be vigilant in our efforts to contain these gangs. We also have a major population of ex-felons that continues to grow as a state prison system sends them back into our community. I also support the angle bracelet tracking of gang members and other criminals.

As a firm supporter of law enforcement efforts to tackle gang problems I also realize that there is another approach to resolving the gang problem. Successful intervention at an early age can prevent some youth from ever getting into gangs. It is estimated that it costs about $1 million to process a young offender through our criminal justice system. From a pure economic viewpoint, a successful youth program that costs $100,000 would certainly be a bargain if it successfully keeps kids out of gangs.

There is a clear a nexus between the problems at Fresno Unified and problems of crime and unemployment in Fresno. The city recreation department has implemented some innovative after school programs in collaboration with Fresno Unified. I have seen a presentation of these programs and I am very impressed. The city must support and collaborate with Fresno Unified to try to keep kids in school and out of gangs. I am a strong advocate of vocational training in our primary school systems. There are many kids who could have successful careers in trades such as plumbing, auto mechanics, carpentry and other trades but they have no formal training in their schools. We need to offer incentives to keep kids in school. I am also a strong advocate of mentoring programs for our youth as exemplified by the program developed by the Fresno Business Council.

I support the City’s current approach to quash gangs and I support the City’s involvement in regional efforts as promoted by the State’s CALGRIP program. We need to continue our 3 prong effort of intervention, prevention and suppression. Unlike the incumbent, I’m willing to spend additional tax dollars to quash gangs because I know that when a City has crime and gang problems, it is much harder to attract new industry, to create new jobs and to attract the best employees for our existing employers. Nothing exists in a vacuum.

This is the greatest problem facing our City. I fully support Police Chief Jerry Dyer ’s program to help eradicate gangs in our community. I will continue to support him and look for ways to help him and the officers on the streets. My new Anti-Slum landlord has the additional side-effect of helping eradicate gangs in neighborhoods. Gangs are a multi-issue problem that needs to be approached not only by strong policing but also by community and faith based organizations.

No one should support allowing gangs to thrive and run free. Putting a lid on gang activities is a proper approach. But that isn’t enough. Prevention must be the foundation of reducing crime. Early in my first term as a County Supervisor I called attention to the pending problem of gangs. At that time the police chief said there wasn’t a gang problem in Fresno. Now we know what happens when the problem is ignored. Enforcement is important but it is only half the solution.

When you become Mayor, you take an oath to protect the people of Fresno. To help people sleep at night, we must be out in front to eliminate gangs from this city. It is absolutely critical that gang members, taggers, and all criminals understand that if you threaten the people of this city, you will pay significant cost. I will fight to make sure criminals are sentenced fully and expected to serve their time. For the sake of our people, we must spread the word that criminals are not going to succeed in Fresno. I applaud Chief Dyer and his department’s approach to not only eradicate gangs, but respond immediately to graffiti. I would continue to fund those programs, continue to consolidate with the county and seek major tax reform to improve public safety funding, and increase the numbers and salaries in our police and fire departments.

The Fresno Police Department is doing an exemplary job. The city needs to piggy back the efforts of local law enforcement by increasing educational resources to our children and their families, and by dramatically increasing the available employment opportunities in Fresno. People are pulled into criminal lifestyles when they are devoid of other options. Studies support the fact that educational and economic opportunities have a direct affect on crime reduction and that includes gang involvement.

I fully support Chief Jerry Dyer and will retain him as Chief of Police. Gangs are our number one problem in Fresno. The recent Grand Jury reports approximately 24,000 gang members in our area. I will continue the gang suppression program and support the Chiefs idea’s to fight crime. In addition, a regional approach is needed and I will work with local community based organizations to prevent gangs from recruiting the youth of our community.