Bakersfield sees a decrease in gun violence for 2024
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Launched in 2022, the Gun Violence Reduction Strategy has lowered violent incidents in Bakersfield every year.
The results for 2024 were no different, with 26 homicide cases, and 44 non-fatal shootings.
'2024 was the safest year that we have seen since before the start of the pandemic, and it's also worth noting that burglaries, robberies, car break-ins, and other property crimes are down as well, but not to that same levels,' said Christian Clegg, City of Bakersfield Manager.
A challenging job for police is maintaining these trends.
'Oftentimes, when it comes to gang violence, these are generational wars, issues that have occurred and it's tough to be able to get in…be able to intervene to prevent those type of things from happening,' said Assistant Police Chief Brent Stratton.
Meet the babies born on Valentine's Day 2025 in Bakersfield
This strategy was funded through a grant from the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Program, along with the city's Public Safety & Vital Services Measure. One vital part the city and police work with to bring results is community partnerships…just like they have with Garden Pathways.
'Some of the individuals that we work with are at the highest risk of becoming victims of violence but it's not sometimes the victim that suffers, it's also the family members,' said Juan Avila, from Garden Pathways.
To continue a decreasing trend for the 2025 results, the city said it focuses on data and individuals at a very high risk of being involved in gun violence.
The city focuses on engaging directly with them, offering a way out and warning them of the consequences with law enforcement.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Fourth suspect charged after Mud Island carjacking, shooting
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A fourth suspect has been charged as an accessory after a carjacking and shooting that happened in a neighborhood on Mud Island, Memphis Police said. Sabrina Sullivan, 33, was charged with Accessory after the Fact to wit: Theft of Property to wit Motor Vehicle $2,500-$10,000, Accessory after the Fact: Attempted First-Degree Murder, Accessory after the Fact: Carjacking, Accessory after the Fact: Employment of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony. Officers responded to a shooting at Island Place East and Island Village Drive on June 2 at 12:45 p.m. Third man arrested after Mud Island shooting Police say three male suspects in a Chevy Silverado tried to rob a man of his Ford F-150 truck. The victim was shot, and crashed his truck into a mailbox as the suspects fled. Police said the Silverado had been stolen in Midtown. It was recovered in a wooded area in Whitehaven. 1 injured, 3 suspects flee after Mud Island shooting, robbery Since then, three men already have been arrested and charged. Christopher Skelton: Theft of property of a motor vehicle $2,500-$10,000, attempted carjacking, attempted first-degree murder and two counts of employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony Justin Furnish: Theft of property of a motor vehicle $2,500-$10,000, attempted carjacking, attempted first-degree murder and two counts of employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony Hunter Maness, 33, was charged with Accessory after the Fact to wit: Criminal Attempt to wit: First Degree Murder, Accessory after the Fact to wit: Employment of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, Accessory after the Fact to wit: Theft of Property to wit Motor Vehicle $2,500-$10,000, and Accessory after the Fact to wit: Criminal Attempt to wit: Carjacking. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial recap: Ex-girlfriend 'Jane' faces more cross-examination, says she initiated some 'hotel nights'
The trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs continued Wednesday in Manhattan federal court, with 'Jane' — a pseudonym for an alleged victim and ex-girlfriend of Combs — returning to the witness stand for a fifth day of testimony in the high-profile sex trafficking case. Federal prosecutors say that for decades, Combs abused, threatened and coerced women to participate in drug-fueled marathon sexual encounters called 'freak offs' and used his business empire, along with guns, kidnapping and arson, to conceal his crimes. In direct testimony, Jane tearfully recounted the 'freak offs'— which she called 'hotel nights' — telling the court that she felt obligated to 'perform' sex acts for Combs with other men because he was paying her rent. She also testified about a brutal assault she endured before Combs ordered her to cover up her injuries and take ecstasy for an impromptu 'hotel night.' Facing more cross-examination by the defense on Wednesday, Jane told the court that she initiated some of the encounters, including one in which she hired two men. She appeared emotional while reading texts she sent to Combs in 2023, calling him a 'blessing' and saying she was grateful that he was taking care of her financially. Combs's defense team said it will finish Jane's cross-examination Thursday morning. The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul is facing five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could face life in prison. Here are some key takeaways from Wednesday's testimony culled from various reporters and news organizations in the courtroom, including CNN, NBC News and the Washington Post. Before Jane's testimony got underway, Judge Arun Subramanian listened to arguments over a prosecution request to dismiss one of the jurors for reasons that have not yet been made public. Prosecutor Maurene Comey told Subramanian that the government was initially reluctant to ask for the removal of juror no. 6, but has since concluded the juror appears to have shown 'a lack of candor with the court that raises serious issues.' Defense attorney Alexandra Shapiro objected, saying it was a 'thinly veiled effort to dismiss a Black juror.' Subramanian said he would handle the issue on Thursday after hearing in writing from both sides. Under cross-examination by the defense, Jane acknowledged that she once threatened to not participate in a 'hotel night' with Combs for Valentine's Day 2022 after she saw social media posts of him on vacation with another woman. She demanded that he leave the vacation a day early and return to her. When he agreed, she planned the 'hotel night,' decorating the room with rose petals and hiring two male entertainers to have sex with her while Combs watched. Jane testified that it was her idea to have the two men in the room with her at the same time. 'Yes, that was my suggestion,' Jane said in court, adding that Combs was 'excited about that.' In late August 2022, Jane testified that she told Combs how much she appreciated the sexual encounters after a hotel night with him and a sex worker named Paul. Jane texted Combs that she's 'having so much fun' and she would 'never take this for granted and will always make sure you are taken care of.' Big picture: The defense is seeking to refute the prosecution's claims that the alleged victims were coerced by Combs into participating in the marathon sexual encounters by showing they were willing participants. Having Jane acknowledge that she arranged a 'hotel night' with two men, and later saying she was having 'fun' is part of that effort. On the witness stand, Jane read text messages she sent to Combs in April 2023 after a hotel night, right around the time she moved into a rented Los Angeles home, which Combs is currently paying for. 'The fact that you are the reason for my child's joy is a feeling inside me that I can't explain,' Jane read, tearing up. 'You are truly a blessing in my life, I have never had a man take care of me like you do,' Jane continued. 'You are my lover, my partner, my boyfriend,' she wrote.
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Miami Marlins join efforts to restore defaced Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso mural
MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Marlins are joining efforts to restore the defaced mural of baseball legends Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso in Miami's Overtown neighborhood, which was marked with racist graffiti last week. City of Miami Chairwoman Christine King announced Wednesday that she along with the Marlins, Urgent, Inc., Omni Community Redevelopment Agency, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency and other community activists will lead the restoration at Dorsey Park, where community leaders said a 7-year-old boy first discovered the vandalism last Sunday and asked his mother what the words and the Nazi symbols meant. 'This vile assault was an attack on our values, history, and community,' King said in a statement. 'We are actively working with law enforcement and the public to identify the individual(s) responsible for this intolerable act. However, even in the darkest hours, light finds its way to shine. This is a reminder and testament to the strength of our community, coming together to restore peace, beauty, and pride to this neighborhood.' Police were investigating the incident but have not made any arrests. City workers have since partially covered the murals of Robinson and Miñoso, an Afro-Cuban player, with wooden boards. The murals are along a fence at Dorsey Park, where Negro League teams once played baseball. The Marlins' home ballpark loanDepot park is just a few miles from the park. 'In light of the deeply troubling acts of vandalism at Dorsey Park, the Miami Marlins today proudly stand in solidarity with the City of Miami Chairwoman Christine King, and our local leaders in unequivocally condemning this hateful and racist act,' said Marlins owner Bruce Sherman. 'Dorsey Park is not only a landmark of historical and cultural significance in South Florida — it is a powerful symbol of resilience, pride, and the enduring contributions of trailblazers to the game of baseball." Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball when he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 to become the first Black player. Miñoso became the league's first Afro-Latino player and the first Black player for the Chicago White Sox. The murals have been displayed in the park since 2011 and are a collaboration between artists Kyle Holbrook and Kadir Nelson and various community groups. ___ AP MLB: