The Fresno County Sheriff's Office may close the area under authority of:
409.5 (a) P.C. "....a menace to the public health or safety is created by a calamity such as a flood, storm, fire, earthquake, explosion, accident or other disaster...."
However, according to 409.5 (d) P.C., "Nothing in this section shall prevent a duly authorized representative of any news service from entering the area closed..."
Please Note:
- A safety hazard to the press does not justify restriction: however, it is FCSO's policy to warn the media of potential danger before allowing access.
- Crime Scene and Command Post areas may be closed to the media
If access is denied, FCSO has three obligations:
- Restriction can only last as long as there is clear interference.
- Must provide “Press Area” with maximum access possible under the circumstances.
- May provide “Pool Camera” access to a limited number of the press.
