You Are Safer on Fresno's Streets

Fresno used to have some of the most dangerous streets in California and much of America. Accidents and deaths related to automobiles (primarily as a result of excessive speed) were at an all-time high when I was elected in 2001 as a council member representing the northwest area of Fresno in 2001. That is certainly not the case today. Fresno's streets are among the safest in California with accidents and deaths significantly below what they used to be. The Fresno Police Department, in fact, was recently recognized by the State of California for its traffic safety program. How did Fresno get from having one of the worst traffic safety records in the state and nation to be among the very best? Much of the credit goes to Police Chief Jerry Dyer and the Fresno Police Department.

Jerry Dyer had served for years with the Fresno Police Department when newly elected Mayor Alan Autry appointed him Chief of Police in 2002. I was initially disappointed with the Mayor's choice because a national search for this position was not conducted. My thinking was that any internal candidates for chief, such as Jerry Dyer, needed to best any external candidates that apply. Since this process was not followed, I hoped that newly sworn Chief Dyer would be up to the challenge.

One of the first decisions by Chief Dyer after being appointed was to invite each of the seven council members to meet with him to discuss what we thought were critical issues the Fresno Police Department should address. All council members, I assume, shared with him the unacceptable level of crime at that time. I had, however, another issue: Traffic accidents and deaths city-wide but particularly in my northwest council district.

Chief Dyer listened and promised to work on the traffic safety issue. He then began a difficult, but ultimately successful, effort to convince County of Fresno staff and the Fresno County Board of Supervisors that the revenue-sharing agreement the city and county had put together years ago should be modified to provide more dedicated monies strictly for traffic enforcement. These additional revenues could only be used for the purchase of motorcycles and police officers to reduce unsafe driving practices that often result in accidents or deaths.

Within a year of getting approval by the County to revise the tax-sharing formula, the Fresno Police Department had significantly increased the number of motorcycles and officers on Fresno's streets. The results were dramatic. Accidents and deaths decreased by almost half!

No one likes to get a ticket for speeding or other "moving violations." If you do receive one, however, please remember that the fine you pay goes to support traffic enforcement and has resulted in a safer Fresno. Your chances of being injured or killed in a car while in Fresno has greatly declined thanks to the leadership of Chief Dyer and the staff and officers of the Fresno Police Department.

Coming Soon. . .

1. What about an Orchids and Onions Award to recognize the good and not-so-good in Fresno?
2. Are local-area blogs useful?
3. Stop with the state bonds and start paying as we go!

Comments are welcome. Click on "Comments" below or e-mail me at abriancalhoun@gmail.com.