By Joanna Putman
Police1
FRESNO, Calif. — Homicide and shooting rates in Fresno have dropped dramatically in 2023 so far, KGPE reported. The police department’s chief says it’s the men and women of the department that made it possible.
“The last three years, our violent stats are going down year, after year, after year,” said Chief Paco Balderrama.
The change dates back to the beginning of Balderrama’s term in 2021 when there were 74 homicides. In 2022, there were 52. So far in 2023, there have been 26.
“I can say that I’m extremely proud of the men and women that are out there doing the work,” Balderrama said.
The decrease in homicides makes Fresno one of the safest cities in the United States, according to the report.
Detroit, New Orleans and Albuquerque all share about the same population size as Fresno: around 500,000, according to census data. All three have average homicide numbers in the triple digits.
“We have been so effective in solving these homicides and shootings, there has been no time for these retaliation shootings to take place,” Balderrama said. “When we put that person in jail, there’s less reason to go and hurt somebody else.”
Shootings are down about 20% this year, and gang-related shootings have also decreased, according to the report.