Fresno Police sweep the streets for guns

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Officers are using technology and tips from the community to get weapons off the streets. The result, according to the police chief, is a noticeable reduction in violent crime in all categories.

More than a dozen guns came from officers following up on leads from gunshots fired on New Year's Eve. The chief says already homicides are down because of the recent effort.

Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer showed off dozens of guns, a Mac-10, AK-47s, sawed-off shotguns and many more. The guns were taken off the streets over the past four weeks, mostly by officers in the Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Unit.

Already this year, homicides in Fresno are down 50-percent. No coincidence according to Dyer but rather enforcement related. When these guns underwent forensic testing, officers also found a common thread.

"There's an enormous amount of shootings that are occurring in our city with the same firearm. Meaning that firearm is either being passed around amongst gang members, which we know occurs, or one individual using a firearm is committing multiple shootings," Dyer said.

Many of the weapons were also taken from felons who are not supposed to have guns at all.

District Attorney, Lisa Smittcamp said, "Many of them are stolen, many are taken in robberies, both from residences and also from gun shops."

Officers are using old-school police tactics and modern day technology to lead them to non-law-abiding gun holders. It's a commitment Dyer says will be yearlong.

Shootings are down significantly from the same time last year. Officers have also arrested several gang members who are unlawfully in possession of guns.