BPD urges victims, anyone with evidence of crimes at protest to report them
The Bakersfield Police Department is urging anyone who was the victim of a crime during Friday’s protests on Truxtun Avenue to call police.
“Every person is afforded the opportunity to express their views in a peaceful manner. The ability to peacefully protest is a fundamental right to everyone in this country and is a cornerstone of our democracy,” a BPD news release issued Saturday night said.
The news release went on to say BPD will “make every effort” to protect the ability of people to protest peacefully and will seek criminal charges against anyone who breaks laws.
During Friday night’s protest centered on the case of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Ky., and a counterprotest, police said they contacted several possible assault victims, but nobody cooperated and gave statements.
Two men from Bakersfield were cited and later released for failing to disperse once all sides were ordered to do so, the news release said. Also, police investigated an incident of vehicle vandalism believed to be related to the protests.
Police said people who have video or photo evidence of crimes can report it and upload it at https://bakersfieldpdca.evidence.com/axon/citizen/public/ criminalactivity092520.
When Bakersfield police and Kern County probation officers tried to conduct a vehicle code enforce
ment stop Friday night near Planz and Wible roads, a pursuit ensued — and a juvenile ran off with a gun, police said.
It happened shortly after 6 p.m. during a proactive patrol meant to dissuade gang violence, the Bakersfield Police Department said in a news release.
The vehicle didn’t yield, leading officers on a pursuit. A 17-year-old teen who fled from the vehicle with a handgun discarded it and was taken into custody, police said.
The driver, Kristopher Brown, 21, and an additional juvenile were arrested, the BPD said. All three were booked into jail on suspicion of various firearm and gang participation crimes, the BPD said in a news release.
Police said the investigation is part of the work of the BPD and other law enforcement agencies to disrupt gang violence. Police ask that anyone with information call 327-7111.
A hundred wildland firefighters from Mexico stopped in Lake Isabella on Friday before heading to fight fires in the Sequoia National Forest.
The firefighters came from 22 states in their country and are assigned to work on the Sequoia Complex, according to a U.S. Forest Service news release. The five hand crews will establish and improve perimeter control lines.
The Sequoia Complex is burning on the Sequoia and Inyo national forests, as well as state and private land. The complex consists of the Castle Fire and the Rattlesnake Fire.
A California Highway Patrol pedestrian safety operation held Friday netted 45 citations, seven warnings, one vehicle impound — and one arrest of a felon in possession of a loaded firearm.
The Bakersfield office of the CHP said the operation conducted on Niles Street at Webster Street in east Bakersfield and Roberts Lane at Plymouth Avenue in Oildale focused on drivers and pedestrians who violate right-of-way laws or who take unsafe and illegal actions. The CHP issued these tips:
■■ Drivers should be on the lookout for and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.
■■ Drivers should slow down when in an area where pedestrians are likely to be.
■■ Never pass a car stopped for pedestrians. It’s against the law and highly dangerous for those crossing the street.
■■ Pedestrians should cross at the corner, at crosswalks, or intersections wherever possible. This is where drivers expect to see pedestrians.
■■ Pedestrians should look both ways for traffic before crossing, make eye contact with the driver, and make certain cars are yielding before crossing. ■■ Pedestrians should wear bright colored, reflective clothing and use a flashlight when walking in the dark.