📋

Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Fresno County Grand Jury • 2001-2002

City of Fresno Police Chief’s Advisory Board

Published: June 04, 2002 9 pages

View PDF View Full Original

⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings 17 findings

Business representatives.

Members of faith-based organizations.

Community activists.

Fresno City Council member appointees.

Share information between the police department and all segments of the community.

Serve as a sounding board for decisions.

Obtain input on policy issues (immigration, high speed pursuits, truancy, etc.).

Allow ideas to be brought to the police department.

Discuss new programs.

F10

Share concerns and desires of the direction of the organization.

F11

Familiarize the Board with the police department.

F12

Obtain diverse opinions. D. Vacancies on the Board were not advertised through the media, although a news conference was held announcing its establishment. There were 17 positions filled as a result of the news conference and the

F13

Los Angeles County experienced a 33.3 % reduction.

F14

San Francisco County experienced a 28% reduction.

F15

Riverside County experienced a 21% reduction.

F16

Orange County experienced a 16% reduction.

F17

The State of California overall experienced a 16% reduction. E. From January 1, 2002 to April 17, 2002, the California Highway Patrol recorded 36 fatal vehicular accidents in Fresno County. F. The Fresno Police Department reports more than a doubling of traffic deaths (27) for the first 5 months of 2002 compared to 12 deaths during the same period in 2001. G. The City of Fresno is divided into five policing districts. The total number of police assigned to traffic control is 24 officers. H. Due to a 1977 Memorandum of Understanding with Fresno County, the City of Fresno receives no revenue from traffic citations.* I. From July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001, the total number of traffic violations reported in the City of Fresno was 49,956. Historically in Fresno County only 1/3 of all traffic citations are responded to by those cited. J. Title V of the California Education Code Section 51220(J) requires every high school in California to provide driver education. This classroom instruction is focused on tenth graders. K. Before the age of 18, individuals must show evidence of having completed a hands-on driver training course by an approved school in order to qualify to take the Department of Motor Vehicle driving test. At the age of 18, hands-on driver training is not required. Of the 934 public high schools in California, only 7 provide hands-on driver training. None of these schools are located in Fresno County. L. The recent use of enhanced traffic enforcement in problem areas temporarily reduces the number of speeders and thus the average rate of speed.

Recommendations 15

R86
Page 70

The Fresno Chief of Police prepare and issue a mission statement for the Chief’s Advisory Board.
R87
Page 70

The Fresno Chief of Police specify the number of members of the Chief’s Advisory Board.
R88
Page 70

The Fresno Chief of Police establish a format to allow for the rotation of terms for members of the Chief’s Advisory Board.
R89
Page 70

The Chief’s Advisory Board be comprised solely of unpaid volunteers.
R90
Page 70

Members of the Chief’s Advisory Board be accessible to the public.
R91
Page 70

Member of the Chief’s Advisory Board continue to be comprised of a broad cross section of the community to provide diversity.
R92
Page 70

The Chief’s Advisory Board remain in an advisory capacity and continue to serve as a conduit for information between the citizens of the City of Fresno and the Fresno Police Department. MULTI-AGENCY GANG ENFORC EMENT CONSORTIUM (MAGEC) Introduction The 2001/2002 Fresno County Grand Jury reviewed the Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC). The goal of MAGEC is to eradicate criminal activity of street gangs whose members threaten, terrorize, and commit a multitude of crimes against citizens, schools, and businesses.
R93
Page 70

The necessary officers and resources assigned to the Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC) be continued in order to deal with escalating gang activities.
R94
Page 70

Cities within Fresno County currently not participating in the Multi- Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC) reconsider participating in the program. TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Jess Saldana, Chair Alan Button Jim Cotton Merle Hanson Eric Lin Leo Shishmanian 64 TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION The 2001/2002 Fresno County Grand Jury reviewed and investigated complaints from concerned citizens of Fresno County. The area investigated and reported is: A. The unusually high number of traffic injuries and fatalities in Fresno County and the City of Fresno. Areas reviewed and recommended for follow-up by the 2002/2003 Fresno County Grand Jury are: A. Fresno-Yosemite International Airport construction. B. Traffic signal light cameras. MOTOR VEHICLE-CAUSED INJURIES AND DEATHS IN FRESNO COUNTY Introduction Based on unsolicited concerns from local health care and trauma experts regarding the number of motor vehicle-caused injuries and deaths in Fresno County, the 2001/2002 Fresno County Grand Jury conducted an investigation.
R95
Page 70

The number of traffic control officers within the Fresno Police Department be increased and enforcement be significantly intensified.
R96
Page 70

Enhanced traffic enforcement be used frequently by the Fresno Police Department at unannounced checkpoints as an on-going process on heavily traveled streets, including morning and evening commutes. 67
R97
Page 70

During daylight hours, the use of unmarked cars for traffic enforcement be considered by the Fresno Police Department.
R98
Page 70

The City and County of Fresno work together to change the 1977 Memorandum of Understanding to provide revenue to the City of Fresno for enhanced traffic control.*
R99
Page 70

Driver education students be made aware of personal injury or death which can occur through reckless driving, speeding, or driving under the influence. Graphic videos are available to the schools for this purpose.
R100
Page 70

The penalties for driving under the influence be vigorously enforced for all offenders and to the maximum extent of the law.