The City of Fresno has had an 8% increase in burglaries since last year, that may not sound like a lot, but they've gone up year after year. To fight back
The Fresno Police Department is forming the new Career burglary apprehension team, or CBAT.
On the same morning the chief made the announcement. Officers surrounded a neighborhood while looking for a burglary suspect.
“A citizen reported he had a wireless video camera that detected someone was in his backyard,” said Lt. Burke Farrah with the Fresno Police Department.
The suspect made his way into a house, then got away.
We spoke to a resident of the home, “I thought it was something to do with my family, so I was worried,” said Casandra Garza.
“Back in 2007, we were averaging about 10 burglaries a day within our city. Today that number has increased to about 15,” said Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer.
CBAT will target the most prolific burglars; focus on how they're getting rid of stolen property, and on keeping them behind bars.
Chief Dyer says early releases from jail are contributing to the problem. In depth investigations means tying them to more crimes and longer jail sentences.
“They're also involved in drugs, they're involved in identity theft and often times they're armed with a firearm and perhaps involved in a gang,” said Chief Dyer.
The Fresno Police Department hopes to have CBAT in place by the end of June.
It will consist of one Lieutenant and six officers.
