QUESTION: Does the Fresno Police Department have appropriate levels of administrative staffing?
While management positions in any organization are critical, it is appropriate to question if the organization’s number of management personnel is appropriate. To answer this question, Fresno Police Officer Jacky Parks, in June of 2009, conducted research into the number of management positions in the Fresno Police Department compared to other law enforcement agencies of a similar size. The research showed that of the 8 agencies examined, the Fresno Police Department has the highest manager to officer ratio of all of them, with one manager for every twenty-two officers. This ratio is also referred to as “span of control.” For research details, please see the attached table.

A concern for any law enforcement agency is that as the span of control becomes larger, it becomes increasingly difficult to manage the organization and its employees. Obviously, given the serious nature of law enforcement, span of control issues are critical for police departments. While the Fresno Police Department does have a high span of control ratio, we are fortunate to have exceptionally capable management staff who are able to perform the thousands of tasks needed to keep a highly effective police force running smoothly; that is responsive to the needs of the community; and works tirelessly to reduce crime.

QUESTION: What is the police department’s policy for handling domestic violence incidents? At what point are arrests made?
The official policy of the Fresno Police Department in response to cases of domestic violence is to: 1) stress the enforcement of the laws; 2) protect the victim, and 3) communicate clearly that violent conduct in the home is criminal behavior and will not be tolerated.

At what point are arrests made?
An arrest of domestic violence offenders will be made if there is probable cause to believe an offense has occurred. In responding to domestic violence incidents, officers shall make reasonable efforts to identify the dominant aggressor in any incident. The dominant aggressor is the person determined to be the most significant, rather than the first, aggressor. For additional information on the process for identifying the dominant aggressor, click here.

QUESTION: Who do you contact if you live in a county island and have questions about graffiti clean up?
The contact for graffiti abatement in the County of Fresno is Frank Fowler, Assistant Director of Public Works at 262-4078.

QUESTION: Who do you contact if you live in a county island and have questions about your trash service?
Solid waste customers residing in the County of Fresno, who are provided service under a county-wide franchise agreement from one of several private haulers, can call the Resources Division of the Fresno County Public Works Department at (559) 262-4259.

QUESTION: How are property taxes assessed in Fresno? What triggers a re-assessment? Who is the contact person at the County that people should call with more specific questions?
Property tax matters are handled by the Fresno County Assessor’s Office. For information regarding the property tax assessment process, you can visit the Assessor’s Office website by following this link or call the Assessor’s Office at
488-3534.

A brief explanation is provided here.

QUESTION: Why did all traffic get routed from Shepherd to Nees during Shepherd construction near Willow?
The Traffic Control Plan in place and approved by the City of Fresno and City of Clovis includes detour signs directing traffic onto Teague Avenue, Chestnut, and Perrin while the Willow/Shepherd intersection is under construction. The construction work includes the installation of storm drains, widening of the intersection, and construction of a traffic signal at this intersection to improve mobility in the metropolitan region. While some motorists may also be utilizing Nees Avenue, it is not the suggested route.

Shepherd Avenue serves as a major East-West Corridor and is an arterial. While Shepherd is closed, Nees Avenue which is also a major East-West Corridor and is an arterial, may be sharing some of the diverted East-West traffic. The good news is that Shepherd Avenue/Willow Avenue intersection will re-open in August of 2009, so only a few more weeks of construction remain. Travel will then revert to pre-construction patterns. We appreciate your patience while we implement improvements to improve mobility in the City of Fresno.

QUESTION: How are efforts to synchronize traffic signals going in Fresno, particularly east-west thoroughfares?

The City of Fresno Public Works Department has established Traffic Operations Center and a city wide fiber optic network, providing the foundation for a regional traffic management system. The Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) is now operational and connects the Traffic Operations Center to the fiber network, connecting key arterial roads and expressways to create a more efficient citywide traffic coordination system. The Traffic Engineering Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Group uses state-of-the-art technology to monitor, model, and synchronize traffic on some of the City’s major arterials, thereby, improving safety, operations, energy conservation, and effective capacity of major arterials.

The Advanced Transportation Management System currently interconnects and coordinates approximately 85 traffic signals for the City’s key arterials.

• Blackstone (Olive to Herndon) North-south corridor 
• Herndon (Golden State to Willow) East-West corridor
• Chestnut (Kings Canyon to Shields) North-south corridor
• Kings Canyon (Downtown to Chestnut) East-West corridor
• Cedar (Olive to Shepherd) North-south corridor
• Parts of Downtown Fresno

Over the next few years, air quality grants will construct Intelligent Transportation Systems and coordinate approximately 80 additional traffic signals for the City’s key arterials.

• Clovis Ave (Dakota to American) North-south corridor
• Shaw (SR 99 to Highway 168) East-West corridor
• Willow (Shields to Shepherd) North-south corridor
• Fresno Street (Olive to Herndon) North-south corridor
• Friant & Blackstone (Herndon to Shepherd) North-south corridor

Traffic Engineering ITS Group is working daily on synchronization of corridors and the overall traffic flow improvements of City’s nearly 500 signalized intersections. Traffic Engineering is continually exploring air quality grants among other grant funding opportunities to construct additional Intelligent Transportation Systems corridors throughout the City of Fresno. Some key arterials being developed for future grant requests include Jensen, Kings Canyon (Ventura to Clovis), McKinley, Shields, Ashlan, Bullard, Nees, Shepherd, and West Avenues. As you can see, we have plans to seek funding for a number of East-West corridors to improve mobility and reduce emissions.

For more information about the ITS Program, please visit www.FresnoITS.com

QUESTION: What incentives are in place for people to change out their landscaping for more drought resistant landscaping?
While there are currently no monetary incentives through the City of Fresno for landscape conversion, the Water Conservation division offers free landscape consultation for customers. A qualified landscape specialist will provide the following services at the customer’s site:

• Review and setting of irrigation timers.
• Review of manual or automatic irrigation watering, and recommend methods to improve water efficiency of the operations and irrigation scheduling.
• Water leak detection survey
• Water-wise plant consultation and suggestions. 
• Information on removing turf.
• Water-wise landscape design suggestions for yard.

For additional information on the City’s water conservation program, please call 621-5480

QUESTION: Do individuals have the right to let their lawns go brown if they want to conserve water?
The City of Fresno’s Water Conservation Program recommends that customers request a free landscape consultation to find the best methods for reducing water use while properly maintaining yard landscaping.

City of Fresno ordinances currently require property owners to properly maintain their landscaping, which includes keeping yards green and well manicured. For additional information on landscape maintenance requirements, please call 621-CITY(2489)

QUESTION: How can I contact the City’s Office of Independent Review (OIR)?

The Office of Independent Review has been established to provide City leaders and the public with an objective, third party analysis of Fresno Police Department internal affairs investigations to ensure they are conducted in a thorough, fair and unbiased manner. The OIR also serves as a resource for police officers and managers, providing consultation on policing issues, department procedures and concerns relating to actions by officers.

The City is currently in the process of hiring personnel for the Office of Independent Review. In the meantime, questions and concerns can be directed to the office of the City Manager by calling 621-8000.