So the Fresno Police Department decided to install some cameras in parts of SW Fresno where drug dealing and prostitution run rampant. Normally I would be against cameras in public for the “big brother” factor (except of course in pertinent places like banks, etc), but this really is a bad part of Fresno that needs to be further cleaned up. Simply driving through this area it would be impossible not to notice the street walkers or the thugs who can sometimes literally be seen counting their money on the street. Personally, I am against the war on drugs, but when it’s out in public destroying neighborhoods, and I’m going to guess mostly Crystal Meth (something no one should ever touch), it’s a whole different story.
These neighborhoods need to be rejuvinated and the first step is definitely taking the crime off of the street by “turning the heat up” if you will. Cameras placed in these locations will drive the gangs and drugdealing out of the public eye, which although it doesn’t stop the problem, it takes a lot of innocent people out of the mix. There are kids walking home from school in this area and they do not need to witness women selling their bodies on a daily basis, nor do they need to be tempted to sell or purchase hard drugs. Besides “Motel Ave”, this is one of the biggest drug hotspots in the city, and I must appluad the Fresno PD on taking steps to attempt to eliminate this violent and ruthless aspect of the city.
Hopefully these cameras stay in the areas that need them, and don’t spill into the less violent areas as a simple surveillance tool, because in my opinion that would be crossing the line. The south side of Fresno has the potential to be a great place for people to live, but until people can walk on the street safely, that just isn’t going to happen. Hopefully this will help work towards a safer and more friendly future Fresno.
