Modesto residents are happy ABC's hit show American Crime is ending

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The season finale of ABC's hit show American Crime is just days away. And some Modesto residents say they'll be happy to see it end. They say the city's reputation is taking a hit because of a not-so-flattering portrayal on prime time TV.

American Crime centers around a murder in Modesto and how it affects the victim's family, detectives, and the suspects themselves. Critics have praised the way it reflects racial tensions and other modern day issues. In real life, the local police department has investigated seven homicides so far this year, but residents say that's just one small part of their city.

Cecil Russell said, "To project a community as nothing but crime is really sad."

Chamber of commerce president and CEO Cecil Russell said Modesto has faced many of the same challenges as other Valley towns, but several organizations here work together to create a good quality of life.

"As the community has grown, it has become a community of really great neighborhoods," said Russell. "In fact, that's what we'd like to be known as."

It's also the birthplace of director George Lucas and the inspiration for his 1973 film, American Graffiti, which has played a role in revitalizing downtown.

Chris Murphy is the founder of Modesto View Magazine. He doesn't like Amercan Crime but says it has brought people together to promote what they love about this city, from the dining and nightlife downtown to its music and arts scene.

Murphy added, "I think all it does for us is fire us up and makes us realize what our good points are and what we want to say to the world and really make a point of that because it is good stuff."

The show has been renewed for a second season, but it will portray a new crime in a new setting.