Parks not police in southeast
Mayor Ashley Swearengin is proposing more police officers in the city of Fresno budget for the next fiscal year and minimal 2% for parks and recreation.
When we compare crime rates within the city of Fresno’s five police districts, we see that southeast Fresno police district has a lower crime rate compared to the rest of the community. Why penalize southeast residents with more police officers when there is more need for parks and soccer fields?
We can make better use of these funds by developing parks, soccer fields and other sport facilities rather than a continued cycle of incarceration. We have 48 acres of land in southeast Fresno that was donated to the city of Fresno for that very purpose.
Active organized sports, complements law enforcement’s efforts by lowering crime rates. It seems to me that it is far more cost effective and beneficial to encourage organized sports that will enhance our graduation rate and create a better citizenry.
Call your councilmember at 621-8000 and ask for more funds for parks and soccer fields on the 48 acres in southeast Fresno.
Jose Luis Barraza
Fresno
This story was originally published May 15, 2015 at 7:38 PM with the headline "Parks not police in southeast."