BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — Bakersfield city leaders voted unanimously on Wednesday night to accept nearly $5 million in state funding aimed at strengthening the city’s gun violence prevention efforts.
PREVIOUS REPORTING: Bakersfield to receive nearly $5 million in CalVIP violence prevention funding
The $4.8 million will support Bakersfield’s gun violence prevention initiative and help fund local programs such as Garden Pathways, an organization dedicated to mentoring services that empower youth.
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City Manager Christian Clegg said that through prior grants, Bakersfield has seen a 70% drop in shootings and homicides.
The council also approved the acceptance of a bid for 29 Ford Interceptor Police utility vehicles from Jim Burke Ford for the Bakersfield Police Department. According to the administrative report, the 29 vehicles that will be replaced have been in service for 13 or more years. The newer vehicles will provide improved performance and efficiency, the document stated.
The final evaluated bid from Feb. 11 was $1,457,970.14, within the $1,595,000 budget that the city allotted. The city may purchase additional vehicles at the same price ($50,274.83 per vehicle) for a period of 12 months after the accepted bid, as specified.