Number of Fresno homicides up in 2014

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Preliminary death totals for this year in Fresno have risen significantly compared to 2013.

There have been a total of 48 homicides so far this year; 30 of those deaths were gang-related. Compare that to years past and it nearly matches 2012 and 2007 years when violence peaked. As far as a geographic location, there's no one part of Fresno that's immune to homicides.

Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer says the number of firearms in the hands of criminals is driving the high homicide rate. Dyer also blames the passage of Proposition 47, which reduces jail time for many crimes due to overcrowding of jails and prisons.

"We know for certain they're not going to do a drive-by shooting when they're sitting in jail or prison. But when they're back out in our community like we're seeing today, there's an increased likelihood for violence in our neighborhoods," said Dyer.

Looking forward to 2015, Dyer says his staff will continue to focus on removing illegal firearms from the streets. In 2014 alone, they seized more than 650 illegal firearms.