So far there have been 16 homicides in 2010 -- twice as many than at this time last year. The latest happened over the weekend, when two people were shot and killed inside a Central Fresno apartment.
Chief Jerry Dyer blames drugs and gang activity as the main reason for the rise in the numbers. "The environment where there's drug dealing is where that's occurring. Often times that involves gang members. And as a result you end up with violent acts that occurs in that neighborhood."
Dyer says the best way for his department to combat the homicide problem is by finding the most prolific gangs and cracking down on them.
A popular gun buyback program introduced last summer may also be held again this year.
