FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Violence in different parts of Fresno has spiked in recent weeks, resulting in more crime scenes.<\/p>\n
Now, police are deploying more officers on patrol, both on foot and on the streets.<\/p>\n
“Prevention is a huge part of this. And by having our officers out and being highly visible, there’s less likely for the criminal element to feel like they can perpetrate some crime and get away with it,” said Lt. Justin Hoagland of the Fresno Police Department.<\/p>\n
Police say it’s part of a two-to-three-week violent crime suppression operation that started Saturday, something they say is a direct response to the recent uptick in violent crime.<\/p>\n
It comes just two days after five teenagers were stabbed in three separate incidents.<\/p>\n
Two at downtown Fresno’s monthly Art Hop event around 9 p.m. on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The other at River Park just an hour later.<\/p>\n
All three incidents involved teenagers, something officers say is concerning.<\/p>\n
“I’ve seen kids that have made some very unfortunate mistakes and just one simple contact by law enforcement was enough to get them to turn around and change their behavior, and that’s what we want to see. Unfortunately, we’ve also seen kids that have been arrested repeated times,” Hoagland said.<\/p>\n
And while police say there has been an increase in violent crime involving minors in recent weeks, they also say it’s not a new trend.<\/p>\n
Fresno Police Sergeant Dominic Morini says that in his ten years with the department, seeing kids involved in gangs has been a problem in Fresno for years.<\/p>\n
“I’ve seen kids as young as 11 with gang-related tattoos,” Morini said.<\/p>\n
While not every violent crime committed by teens is gang-related, Morini says the need for more role models for teens is there.<\/p>\n
“Explaining to these kids the route they may be going down. Maybe assist them in getting down the right track. Whether that’s through contacting counselors at school, members of the community,” Morini said.<\/p>\n
Police do not believe Thursday’s stabbings in Downtown Fresno and near River Park are gang-related.<\/p>\n
Both incidents remain under investigation.<\/p>\n
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