Police Sweep Nets 26 Gang Members as Threats Continue Against Officers

FRESNO – More than two dozen gang members and four guns are off the streets thanks to a crackdown by the Fresno Police Department.

Threats against the police department and its officers began coming in after an officer-involved shooting left a gang member, 24-year-old Jerel Stanfield, in the hospital on Sunday. Specific officers were named in the threats.

“The officers who have been named are people who are investigators who have been involved in gang investigations. They are also members of the department that are known to gang members,” Chief Jerry Dyer said.

The threats prompted a large-scale gang sweep targeting southwest Fresno that started on Wednesday afternoon and lasted through early Thursday morning. Eighty officers were involved in the sweep, which resulted in the arrest of 49 people, 26 of whom are gang members.

“I want folks to know that we’re going to continue with these large-scale operations that will be unannounced,” Chief Dyer said.

Dyer said that one gang in particular, which he did not name, is responsible for at least half the shootings in west Fresno this year.

In addition to the sweep, the department has made other changes in light of the incoming threats. Traffic cops have been pulled off their motorcycles and officers working the overnight shift are doubled up. Patrols have been increased in the areas where police have heard that gang members plan to target.

“We will not be intimidated by these gang members, nor will we be deterred from the job we’re entrusted to do,” Dyer said.

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