BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Bakersfield City Council is set to approve accepting nearly $5 million from the state to support the city’s gun violence prevention initiatives, according to the meeting agenda for Wednesday.

The Board of State and Community Corrections approved awarding the city $4,899,000 through the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program, also known as CalVIP. The grant term is from April 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, according to the agenda.

This round of funding is for the Cohort 5 program. The city was a recipient of the Cohort 3 grant in the past.

In a press release from the city, officials said Bakersfield was awarded a “highly competitive grant” based on its demonstrated improvements in gun violence prevention.

Bakersfield’s coordinated strategies have contributed to a huge reduction in shootings and homicides since 2021, according to the press release.

“The CalVIP program has made Bakersfield a safer community,” said City Manager Christian Clegg. “Through the work of prior grant awards, we saw a 70% reduction in shootings and homicides.”

Bakersfield’s gun violence prevention strategy is funded through CalVIP and the city’s Public Safety & Vital Services Measure, passed by voters in 2018.

The funding is set to support the Bakersfield’s Office of Violence Intervention & Prevention team, local community partners and the technical assistance team from the University of Pennsylvania Crime and Justice Policy Lab, according to city officials.

Local partnering organizations include Compassion Christian Center, Community Action Partnership of Kern, Garden Pathways, Stay Focused Ministries and the Wendale Davis Foundation, city officials said.

The city is expected to implement the funds through a public health approach, the agenda said. It aims to address aspects related to gun violence such as social and community context, access to education and health care, economic stability, and neighborhood environment.

Strategies include coordinated incident responses, intensive case management, outreach, mentorship and intervention services, according to the agenda.

The City Council meets at 5:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 1501 Truxtun Ave.

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