BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) \u2014 Bakersfield officials say violence prevention efforts cannot slow down as the city receives new funding aimed at reducing shootings and homicides.<\/p>\n
The city recently secured a $5 million grant from the state\u2019s Office of Violence Intervention and Prevention, marking the third round of funding for Bakersfield\u2019s violence reduction program. City leaders say the money will support the next three years of work and expand the city\u2019s response efforts.<\/p>\n
For Jeanette Ganya, the issue is deeply personal.<\/p>\n
Ganya said violence has affected her family for generations.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom grandma to mom to me,” she said. “But there\u2019s other family members as well.”<\/p>\n
She said she once believed abusive relationships were normal and entered her first abusive relationship as a young adult.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought it was a normal. Yes. And my first real abusive relations I was like 19, 20,\u201d Ganya said.<\/p>\n
After two abusive relationships and the birth of her twin sons, Ganya said she reached a turning point.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought to myself, ‘Is this something that I want to hand over to my sons?’ and I wanted to change the whole cycle for my kids,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Ganya eventually went to a shelter, where she said she found resources and support that helped her rebuild her life.<\/p>\n
City leaders say that same goal \u2014 interrupting cycles of violence before they turn deadly \u2014 drives Bakersfield\u2019s violence intervention strategy.<\/p>\n
City Manager Christian Clegg said the new grant will allow the city to expand its response capabilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re actually going to be able to build out a little bit of the city\u2019s team\u2026 We\u2019re going to respond immediately to incidents,\u201d Clegg said.<\/p>\n
Officials say the nature of violence in Bakersfield is changing. While group and gang violence has decreased by about 9%, domestic and interpersonal violence has become a growing concern.<\/p>\n
Crystal Rubio, assistant to the city manager and manager of the city\u2019s Office of Violence Intervention and Prevention, said understanding data is key to addressing the shift.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe way we describe it is basically our interpersonal is individuals that are not related\u2026 possibly a neighbor\u2026 Someone cut you off on the road,\u201d Rubio said.<\/p>\n
She said those cases can be more difficult to predict because many people involved do not have extensive criminal histories.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndividuals do not have a history of multiple arrests\u2026 it\u2019s just emotions\u2026 that one time, you know, crime of passion,\u201d Rubio said.<\/p>\n
As the city develops new strategies, Ganya said prevention should start early by teaching young people about healthy relationships and warning signs of abuse.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would start with the kids, the teenagers. Let them know what red flags are, what boundaries are, what is a healthy relationship,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
From her perspective, education and awareness can change outcomes both in homes and across communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to identify it first and then work on it if you want to change,\u201d Ganya said.<\/p>\n
Clegg said while the city continues to collect and analyze data, the work being done has shown a direct correlation with reductions in homicides.<\/p>\n
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