Fresno Famous

'au fait' as you have become, this tune will creep up on you and you will grasp the point being made today..............

My dears, MOI does not go all gooey at the thought of coppers. Not even sure it is a good thing that so many coppers know MOI personally, think how horrid it would be to get nicked for 'jay walking'. However friendly the coppers are, one always must always face the fact that these are chaps that walk around with vests and carry massive weapons. Not sure about you, but MOI is intimidated by the presence, even if on the right side of the law.

The first time MOI got to meet the head copper was at a holiday meet and greet at the Central Police Station. Chief Dyer was there doing a walkabout. Having no shame, MOI took the opportunity to chat with Chief Dyer. It was early in my relationship with the coppers, and am sure that Chief Dyer did not know me for the man in the moon. He was pleasant and gave me his ear to bang on about what troubled MOI. I remember having the bloody cheek to tell the Chief that was bothered that MOI had not received answers to emails sent to his office. Imagine, MOI calling the head copper on the carpet as had not received emails from. As if MOI had the burning bush in his back garden and divinity had blessed MOI with the power to part the sea. Pure bullocks on my part should think.

Chief Dyer told me that he was a right busy chap, and time has proved that to be correct. Heavy must be the load carried on a daily basis, and MOI has come to realize the the head copper must receive a massive amount of mail, not all hugs and kisses.

By all accounts(and MOI has searched the INTERNET) Chief Dyer has been a brilliant copper. His rise through the ranks has been spectacular, and he is well thought of by fellow coppers throughout the State of California, as well as much admired in Fresno. MOI has met coppers who knew the Chief before he became such an exalted personage, and they have nothing but high praise for the man.

One must remember that becoming the Chief of Police takes one out of the world of day to day copper work and into the turgid waters of politics. Fresno is a right beastly pond to swim in for politics. Chief Dyer must contend with members of the community second guessing his every more, and protect his back from the knives of elected officials, always at the ready to serve his up if the outcry becomes too loud. Bloody hell, even MOI has a bone to pick with the Chief.

Councilwoman Sterling, June 18, 2008

Moi has asked this before with no clear answer from you or your staff.

MOI will ask again.

Rumour has it that come January 1, 2009, the road lived on and the neighborhood
will be turned over to a different Police District. That Central will be replaced by
Southwest. Is that true?

With the fight to get monies for a 'weed and seed' grant, and the brilliant police
work done by Central, under the command of Captain Bridges, one has to wonder.

If a 'weed and seed' grant comes to pass, where does the focus of these monies
become? Where does the years of brilliant police work performed by coppers who
know this road and neighborhood go?

The rumour heard is that Community Hospital is the 'power' forcing this, as they feel they
will be better served by this change. If true, is Community Hospital, the only
voice heard?

MOI has no doubt that the coppers in a different police district are brilliant, but they have not toiled
in the rotten vineyard these many years, and many well not know where the
'poisoned' vines are. There are coppers who have worked this beat for many, many years. They have
a real connection to Calaveras and the neighborhood. They know which vines are in need
of cutting, and how to get attention paid to problems BEFORE the entire vineyard is laid
waste.

Councilwoman Sterling, many city agencies get valuable input from the coppers who
know Calaveras and neighborhood well. Would seem a waste to cut that important
tool out of the fight to save this community.

Councilwoman Sterling, it does not cost $155,000.00 to know this. It will cost the City
of Fresno and the community a lot more than $155,000.00 to get back the insight lost
by switching districts.

What is the story? Is Calaveras and neighborhood going to lose the protection
of Central Police District on January 1, 2009, and if so why are we not being told?

Have a brilliant day.

Rob DeFrees

Rob: June 18, 2008
Thanks for your email you may want to go back to my previous response
on this matter, but I did tell you some time back, that we too had heard
this and that the person to speak to was the Chief's office (Jeff
Caridinale) is who your where corresponding with on another matter.

I say that to let you know that today as I was praying this morning,
(before I saw your many emails), I thought that I needed to tell you
that many of the questions you ask are good ones and sometimes they just
make one stop and think. That although you feel that Ms. Sterling is
daft, stupid and other things of the sort, and passes things to others
not taking any responsibility based on responses like the one I am about
to give you. We always try our best to response and if needed connect
you with the right person(s). We do this to the best of our ability
even though you talk so badly of Ms. Sterling. We do this because we too
care about the greater Lowell neighborhood.

That being said, the Chief of Police is the one who makes the day to
day operational choices for the department. Each department has this
oversight and reports to the City Manager and not the City Council.
While once again, I am confirming we have heard the same thing, he has
not officially presented a plan to the council (nor does he need to, but
I am sure he will share what he is doing in due time).

As far as the Weed and Seed grant it is tied to an geographic area.
(Diviserdero / Tulare, to McKinley between H street over to Millbrook) .
While you and I have talked about what a long shot this grant is, this
area is still in need of additional support.

Again, I want to thank you for your calls and letters of follow-up on
the Weed and Seed grant.
gb - this being Gregory Barfield, Chief of Staff for Councilwoman Sterling

MOI is way down the food chain and does not sit on any committee that gives advice to the Chief.

Councilwoman Sterling is a politician, one who is quite clever at bending with the blowing wind. She air kisses the Chief, and runs him through to suit her political ambitions. On June 24th, 2008, Councilwoman Sterling voted NO on the 'Safe Neighborhood Act'. Councilwoman Sterling sits for a district on the City Council that need this more than most. Mind we all are 'au fait' with Councilwoman Sterling's level of support(she will back one for office privately, then have the cheek to come to a party and eat the food of the person who lost).

Having met Chief Dyer, MOI can tell you that it is my impression that the man does not suffer fools. He is a mountain of a man, with arms so powerful that they strain the material of the smart uniform shirt he is wearing. MOI may not have the ear of the Chief of Police, but that is OK. MOI knows that all of the coppers who have been so brilliant in the fight for Calaveras work under his command, and as a private citizen, that is close enough for MOI. Every time MOI chats with Officer Casarez and does not agree with him, MOI knows that he represents the Chief and the Department, and MOI will get over his hissing fit when MOI does not like what is said. Moi will even get over Officer Mickey Smith and admit that Officer Smith is not a personal bodyguard, just another good copper trying to do his duty as he sees it. MOI will be thankful for Sergeant Edwards going on patrol and risking harm to try and make Calaveras safer. Will call to mind Captain Bridges and Sergeant Gliem, more command personnel under Chief Dyer who have listened to and held my hand when MOI was down about matters on Calaveras. Be reminded of the massive concern shown on the part of Officer Kurt Smith and Officer Tello and Officer Vandersluis.

MOI may not get a personal email from Chief Dyer, or chat with him on the telephone but MOI receives his attention through the efforts of the coppers under him. What more can one ask for?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zso2jYE-ctU