Fresno PD clears homeless encampment, finds illegal gambling machines, stolen firearms, and narcotics

Fresno, California residents are "living in fear" after a homeless encampment brought danger and crime into their community.

According to ABC 30, The Fresno Police Department (FPD) launched 'Operation Tyler Safe Homes' to combat the crime happening at the encampment after residents frequently complained about burglaries, drug sales and prostitution.

On Wednesday, the FPD served multiple search warrants and found 72 pounds of marijuana, 2 ounces of meth, a stolen firearm and an illegal gaming machine.

"The residents who lived in that area, quite frankly, were living in fear," said Mayor Jerry Dyer to ABC 30. Emily Campos, a Fresno resident who lives right across the street from the encampment told ABC 30, "We want them out because there are a lot of kids and then there's a school next to us."

"It’s scary because sometimes we don't even know what to do, we're like, 'Do we go outside or not'?" said Campos.

Officers with the Fresno Police Department recovered another gaming machine along with 14 more pounds of marijuana at a nearby storage facility. The drugs had a face-value of $150,000, reported ABC 30.

"The magnitude of the narcotics, I mean it was pretty blatant," said Lt. Stephen Viveros with FPD. The department emphasized that one of the main reasons they were there was to arrest criminals. The suspects arrested were Ly Chann, Chong Moua and Chia Lor.

"The role of the police department is to provide safety, not just for our workers but for the homeless population that live there," said Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama.

Mayor Dyer said that those still living at the encampment will be provided services and a place to stay after crews return to clear out the area.