BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — What started as a frustrating cycle of missing trash bins for one East Bakersfield resident is now prompting renewed attention to how the city tracks stolen containers and handles replacements.
Yessica Reedy, who previously raised concerns about trash bin theft and the city’s replacement process, said her bin has now been returned, and she is beginning to get responses from city leaders after questioning the city’s tracking system.
The City of Bakersfield has said trash bin theft is rare. But Reedy said it has happened to her multiple times in her neighborhood.
“I left the house when the bin was full. I got home, and I noticed one was missing,” Reedy said.
Reedy said the most recent theft happened just a month after she paid for a replacement.
She first brought her concerns to Eyewitness News in April, questioning what she described as a lack of accountability for missing bins.
“As far as bringing your bin in, okay, that’s not working. What’s your solution when what you’re offering, providing, doesn’t fit the situation?” Reedy said in April.
Reedy said her concerns include what she believes is a lack of reliable tracking for serial numbers, no clear documentation linking bins to owners, and outdated city software that she believes limits accountability.
She also said she requested records of recovered bins and serial numbers, but was told the city has limited reporting capabilities in its system.
“There’s no, uh, serial numbers listed on receipts when the events are purchased,” Reedy said.
The city said it responded to the report made this month.
The city also said bins are tracked through serial numbers linked to each address within 24 to 48 hours of delivery, and that an address can be marked after repeated replacement requests.
In response to questions about fees, the city said most refuse providers do not waive replacement costs for stolen or missing bins, and said it would be inconsistent for some residents to receive different treatment under the same rate structure.
Reedy said that about a month later, she is also hearing from the sanitation department and the mayor, who she said told her she would follow up with the police department regarding Reedy’s reports.
“But it begs the question of how much is actually gonna be done when it’s a process that’s been in place that’s been on place since 2022, when I first complained,” Reedy said.
The city said it is continuing to follow up on a City Council referral to review options for bin replacements.
Any changes with fiscal impacts would be considered in the upcoming rate analysis process.