'The blood of children being shot is on your hands': Fresno DA slams Governor Newsom for his bail policies that have let violent criminals out of prison
A sudden rise in violent crime in a California county is drawing criticism from a local District Attorney who is laying the blame squarely at the feet of state governor Gavin Newsom.
The coronavirus pandemic coupled with new rules over bail practices has led to more criminals being let out from prison either early or simply without spending any time in jail at all.
Law enforcement officials and the District Attorney of Fresno county, in the central portion of the state, are not happy with Governor Newsom.
Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp holds a press conference to talk about the efforts being made by local and federal law enforcement agencies to combat Fresno's surge in violent crime
Fresno Police Chief Andy Hall has said that the release of such violent inmates must now come to an end
The coronavirus pandemic led to social distancing requirements for prisoners which resulted tens of violent criminals being released as a result.
Fresno Police Chief Andy Hall has said the release of such violent inmates must now come to an end.
'Our jails and our prisons are essential services to our community. Holding criminals accountable is the very foundation or cornerstone of our justice system,' said Chief Hall.
Meanwhile, Governor Newsom also introduced several other initiatives including $0 bail with some bonded quickly from jail which have also led to an increase in numbers of violent criminals on the streets.
'The blood of the children being shot by out-of-control gang members in our city is on your hands and on the hands of every person who does not make public safety a priority,' said Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp.
The coronavirus pandemic led to social distancing requirements for prisoners which saw several violent criminals released as a result
It is through a coalition of different law enforcement agencies that they hope to disrupt the system and focus on arresting gang leaders in the city of Fresno in central California
Last weekend there were five murders. Overall, in 2020 there have been almost twice as many shootings compared to 2019.
Now, local, state, and federal level officials are banding together to fight the crime.
It is through a coalition of different law enforcement agencies that they hope to disrupt the system and focus on arresting gang leaders.
The group spoke during a press conference on Wednesday to address Governor Gavin Newsom directly.
They said that by attempting to keep COVID-19 out of prisons, it had instead begun to wreck communities by releasing inmates back into society.
Governor Gavin Newsom has been slammed by local and state officials in Fresno
Chief Hall noted that the Fresno Police Department is making progress.
165 accused felons have been arrested since the start of October - 111 are said to be known gang members.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives has seized 71 illegal weapons since October 6th in its mission to pursue gun traffickers.
The Chief said that he would like to see federal charges brought as parole boards often let people out of prison early.
Federal charges would see convicted gang members moved to other states to serve their full sentences.
'Any prior felony convictions, the nature of those felony convictions, how recently ago was he released from custody - the kind of common sense things that tell us, this guy didn't get the message and now he needs to come spend some time with us.'
There have almost been double the number of shootings in Fresno this year compared to 2019