BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) \u2014 The Victims of Violent Crime Memorial is a tribute to more than 4,400 lives lost by homicides in Kern County. A newly released report reveals this year\u2019s homicide rate is at its lowest point in nearly a decade \u2014 yet community leaders warn the fight is far from over.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe thing was, no one ever came to our neighborhood no one ever said \u2018you were never made to be a gang member, you were never made to be a drug addict,\u201d said Manuel Carrizalez, founder of Stay Focused Ministries.<\/p>\n
Manuel Carrizalez grew up surrounded by violence \u2014 experiences he says pushed him down the wrong path early in life.<\/p>\n
For the past 35 years, he\u2019s worked to prevent that same cycle through his nonprofit, Stay Focused Ministries.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have, we\u2019ll just say wrap around services,\u201d said Carrizalez. \u201cFirst really we do neighborhood outreaches, poverty stricken, homeless, those who are really in the streets.\u201d<\/p>\n
And the work they\u2019re doing shows.<\/p>\n
A report from the District Attorney\u2019s Office shows Kern County recorded 76 homicides in 2025 \u2014 a 7.3% drop from last year and a 41.5% decrease from the 2020 and 2021 highs at 130 total homicides.<\/p>\n
Gang-related killings also fell \u2014 down to seven cases last year, compared to 15 in 2024 and 26 in 2023.<\/p>\n
Community member Harmanjit Singh says he\u2019s happy to hear the decrease but has ideas on how kern can improve.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince I\u2019m not a professional, all I can think of is education, if they can educate more people, it\u2019ll help the numbers go down more,\u201d said Singh.<\/p>\n
Carrizalez says consistency is key \u2014 especially building trust in the community. For volunteer Ralph Soto, that support changed his life.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was a blessing for me here at Stay focused. What they do here are things that I would\u2019ve never thought that I would be doing myself,\u201d said Soto.<\/p>\n
However, the report highlights an area of concern. Domestic-violence-related homicides increased slightly, with six cases in 2025, compared to four in each of the previous two years.<\/p>\n
Officials are urging anyone experiencing domestic violence to seek help through the Kern County Family Justice Center, which offers free services and resources for victims.<\/p>\n
Carrizalez says although there\u2019s still more to do, it\u2019s not solely the responsibility of local organizations- but the people as well. Looking out for neighborhors and bringing the resources to them.<\/p>\n
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