HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.20.2025Bakers eld Notes
The Sound of What's Happening!
February 20, 2025
Notable Items
BPD leads operation to clear encampments along Kern
Riverbed
A joint operation led by the Bakers eld Police Department led to the
clearing of nearly 25 homeless encampments along the Kern
Riverbed.
On Wednesday, the BPD Impact Team, Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Team, and Mounted Unit collaborated with the Bakers eld Fire
Department, the Recreation & Parks Department's Rangers, the
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City's Animal Control, Code Enforcement, and the Rapid Response
Team for the operation, which took place along the riverbed between
Calloway Drive and the 24th Street overpass.
According to BPD, 24 encampments were cleared, 23 people were
arrested, 22 were offered services and three were placed at the
City's Brundage Lane Navigation Center.
The operation was made possible thanks to the Public Safety & Vital
Services Measure (Measure N).
Gun Violence Reduction Strategy shows positive results
The City's Gun Violence Reduction Strategy has proven to be
successful, as outlined by City Manager Christian Clegg.
On Friday, Feb. 14, he announced that, since the implementation of
the GVRS in 2021, homicides have dropped by 57 percent, from 60 in
'21 to 26 in 2024. Non-deadly shootings have dropped 60% from
109 in '21 to 44 last year.
"I've heard from some in our community that they don't always feel
safe. I have to tell you that, by the numbers, Bakers eld is safe," Clegg
said during a press conference announcing results from the GVRS.
"But we will be relentless in our pursuit of safety so that all members
of our community feel safe all the time."
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He also announced the formal creation of the Of ce of Violence
Prevention & Intervention (OVIP).
The GVRS included grant funding through the California Violence
Intervention and Prevention (CalVIP) Program, as well as funding
from the City’s Public Safety & Vital Services (PSVS) Measure N.
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Gun violence reduction discussed
in Ep. 7 of Something Better
Podcast
Following up on the announcement from
City Manager Christian Clegg about the
reduction in homicides and gun violence
over the last three years, The Something
Better Podcast takes deeper dive into the
subject.
On Episode 7 of The Something Better
Podcast, Of ce of Violence Intervention & Prevention outreach
program supervisor Mercedes Mayers and BPD Lt. Matthew
Gregory discuss what they've seen on the front lines and how they're
helping to make Bakers eld safer.
Ep. 7 of The Something Better Podcast is now streaming on all your
favorite podcast platforms, including:
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
iHeart
YouTube
You can also nd it by visiting The Something Better Podcast
homepage.
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The Something Better Podcast, Ep. 7: Reducing Gun Violence in Bakers eld
Applications for Fellowship, Apprenticeship programs
closes Friday
The application window for the City Hall Apprenticeship and
Summer Fellowship programs will be closing Friday, Feb. 21.
The paid programs are open to those 18-30 years old.
Both programs provide hands-on experience for those looking to get
their feet in the door with the City.
Learn More and Apply!
Nearly 80k pounds of trash collected at February drop-
off event
The City of Bakers eld's Solid Waste Division collected nearly
80,000 pounds of trash at its February pop-up large item drop-off
event.
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The event, held at the Bakers eld Sports
Village on Feb. 8, also collected almost
11,000 pounds of metal, 78 mattresses, 47
tires and 1,300 pounds of recycling. The
425 resident vehicles who came through
lled 24 open-top dumpsters, more than
two and a half times the number of
dumpsters lled at January's event.
These events are typically held on the
second Saturday of each month, providing
an opportunity for residents to get rid of
large items that don't t in their normal trash bin.
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Reports
Recreation & Parks Park Ranger Weekly Report, Feb. 9-15, 2025
Service Awards
Week of Feb. 16
Pete Jackson, Development Services, 20 years
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Susanna Kormendi, Public Works, 5
years
Jose Martinez, Technology Services, 5
years
Monica Medve, Economic & Community
Development, 5 years
Dallas Phillips, Public Works, 5 years
Michael Wood, Recreation & Parks, 5
years
Events
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Click calendar to visit Bakers eldCondors.com
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