BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — On Friday morning, 18 individuals were arrested during an outreach operation in east Bakersfield and on Olive Drive and Knudsen Drive, said the Kern County Sheriff’s Office.
Individuals who were not arrested were offered assistance, including services from Flood Ministries and transportation to local homeless shelters. However, each person declined these services, according to officials.
The operation focused on addressing outstanding warrants, reducing public safety concerns, and offering services to people experiencing homelessness.
Around 30 to 40 people were contacted during the operation, leading to the following arrests:
Felony Warrants: 10Misdemeanor Warrants: 4Misdemeanor Open Arrests: 4
The operation covered the following areas:
Alleys and roadways on River Blvd. from Columbus St. to Bernard St.Encampment in the dirt lot in the 600 block of Goodman St.Alleys and roadways from Virginia St. to Mt. Vernon St. between Niles St. and Flower St.Alleys and roadways on Niles St. from Mt. Vernon to Oswell St.2110 Niles St. — abandoned, red-tagged building occupied by multiple people experiencing homelessnessEncampment on Sterling Rd., north of Niles St., dirt lot with multiple encampmentsMonica St./Rosewood Ave., dirt lot with multiple encampmentsOlive Dr./Knudsen Dr., area with people experiencing homelessness loitering in business and hotel parking lots, causing public nuisance issues
Code Compliance and deputies cleared all encampments in the above areas. Approximately 1.5 tons of soiled trash and debris were removed, said officials.