BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Eleven people were arrested Wednesday following a clean-up operation of homeless encampments along the Kern River embankments, according to the Bakersfield Police Department.
BPD’s Community Vitality Unit received numerous complaints about encampments along the north and south Kern River embankments west of Chester Avenue, towards the Uplands of the Kern River park, according to officials.
Officials conducted a clean-up operation with multiple agencies, including Code Enforcement, Rapid Response, Park Rangers, Animal Control Unit and more.

Photo courtesy of the Bakersfield Police Department

Photo courtesy of the Bakersfield Police Department

Photo courtesy of the Bakersfield Police Department

Photo courtesy of the Bakersfield Police Department
They arrested 11 people, seized four dogs later taken to the Bakersfield Animal Shelter and removed five encampments and 12 tons of trash, police said.
Community Vitality is a city-led initiative that responds to concerns related to homelessness in Bakersfield, according to BPD.
To contact Community Vitality, call 661-326-3737 or email communityvitality@bakersfieldcity.us. For more information, click here.
Encampments can also be reported to the city through the free Bakersfield mobile app available on Apple and Android devices or the online Service Request portal, officials said.
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