FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) -
A who's who of Valley law enforcement believes there's a new generation of criminals who were too young when 10–20–Life became law 15 years ago. Mike Reynolds co-authored the law. "Most offenders do not find out about 10–20–Life until they're standing in front of a judge. That's too little too late."
So now there's a refresher campaign that spells out the consequences of using a gun. The message will be on billboards, bumper stickers and television.
Mike Reynolds says there was a forty percent decline in gun violence after a similar media campaign in 1998. Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer supports the refresher campaign. "Criminals watch television. They read the paper. They know that law enforcement has lost a significant amount of resources." Chief Dyer wants criminals to know there are severe consequences from crimes using a gun.
Tuesday, 54-year-old Gregory Garcia of Madera saw his prison time extended for threatening to shoot a store clerk during a robbery. Madera County District Attorney Michael Keitz was pleased that the jury agreed to the special allegation for using a firearm. "That threat is going to get him an additional ten years on top of the five years he potentially serves for the assault hooked to the robbery charge."
To give you an idea how gun violence has escalated in Fresno, in 2009 there were 4.4 shootings per week. This year the number has almost doubled to 7.6 shootings a week.
The first billboard to go up is in Sanger. It's a message law enforcement wants delivered so there are no excuses when it's sentencing time in court.
