Fresno City Leaders Hold Community Meeting to Address Recent Violence in the Tower District

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Fresno city leaders outlined ideas aimed at improving safety in the Tower District during a community meeting that drew business owners, residents and other community members concerned about the recent violent crime.

The meeting, held at the Tower Theatre, was delayed after the power went out but began once power was restored.

“We have a zero tolerance for violence in the Tower, that’s our goal,” Mayor Jerry Dyer said.

Community members voiced frustrations about violence in the neighborhood, with some raising concerns about outside groups coming into the area.

“The residents just don’t want that type of outside group coming in causing problems or causing a clash,” one person said.

Fresno resident Ezrah Avila said the violence has affected a neighborhood where people should be able to spend their free time.

“It’s supposed to be a place where people are able to have fun and enjoy their time. Where people are able to come out after work and enjoy their weekends. But the fact that it’s been brought to this, it’s really sad.”

City leaders presented a framework aimed at combating violence and improving safety in the Tower District. The proposals included increasing the number of police officers in the neighborhood, placing contract officers in front of some bars and restaurants, and adding more lighting.

“We’re working with some of the business owners so that some of the patios are not operating after 10pm,” Dyer said.

Some proposals received applause from those attending the meeting, while at the same time drawing a negative response.

The meeting followed a series of violent crimes in the neighborhood. Sunday’s shooting was the fourth reported shooting in the Tower District over the last four months.

Some people at the meeting also accused certain bars and clubs of contributing to the ongoing problems.

“But not much has been said about the business owners who create the conditions for violence in Tower,” one person said.

MIA Nightclub owner Lewis Evrek pushed back against criticism of his business.

“We have nothing on our record for MIA that would imply that there should be a conversation with our name mentioned with our bars that have caused problems in the past,” Evrek said.

Evrek said he has taken additional steps to protect patrons, including adding more surveillance video to his business and requesting contract officers.

While he described the city’s proposals as a good first step, Evrek said questions remain about how to achieve the community’s safety goals.

“We don’t want violence in our Tower streets or any streets for that fact. I believe we share the same goal. Getting there is the question.”

Parking problems and the location of food vendors were among other concerns raised during the community meeting.

The Fresno City Council is scheduled to hold a special meeting focused on improving public safety in the Tower District, specifically addressing sidewalk food vending.

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