A man released just a month ago on zero bail has been arrested for murder in Sacramento. He had 2 prior strikes and failed to appear at his court hearing.
Today a bill SB 262 in Sacramento will make zero bail more available. More to come
With political divides at an all time high, some groups are calling for dramatic changes to be made with local law enforcement agencies.
One group calls for complete de funding of high school campus police and re assigning that money to more counselors. Another group is calling for more funding for law and order and stricter policies on crime.
What are your thoughts? Should Kern County explore de-funding options or invest more into public safety?
Perez votes to de-fund and close fire stations
A petition has surfaced urging Supervisor Leticia Perez to reconsider her vote to de-fund the Kern County fire department causing station closures https://www.change.org/keepfirestations
The unlikely move has sparked the attention of Vicente Fox, the former president of Mexico. Vicente has been an outspoken supporter of latino communities.
Critics of the move say she has put communities specifically disproportionate communities with poor healthcare options at risk. One person said, "Folks in her district, district 5 have the most health problems. If someone in district 5 has a medical emergency it could add several minutes to the response time."
In a medical emergency every second counts
Full clip of Vicente Fox-
https://youtu.be/giVxUd_Ebt8
Brutal attacks in Kern County-
More attacks on local firefighters. Firefighters are on the front lines of the wildfires and now on the front lines of being eliminated.
This Tuesday the Board Of Supervisors in Kern County vote on a proposal to DE-FUND our firefighters over $3.4 million dollars annually, a move that could dismantle the department.
The move comes one week after the state legislation raised taxes again. Firefighters are getting cut and citizens are getting hosed.
Critics call the cuts, "more attempts to dismantle public safety." If you would like to send an email to your supervisor regarding this issue please send to [email protected]
More to come
A Kern County Sheriff's Office deputy went viral Friday when this video was shot of the deputy landing a skateboard trick in full gear.
The deputy was challenged by a group of young people skateboarding in a parking lot after dark.
Some say this is a golden example of community policing.
Post your thoughts below and share
Kern County Covid: The rush to re-open is top concern for many who need to make a living.
Professional doctors and health care experts feel the same and testing seems to be the key. Do you trust positive and solution oriented medicine or bipartisan politics?
Kern County is moving quickly on expanded testing and accurate results, making parterships with CORE, first responders and Good Samaritan...moving at some would say "light speed" geographical coverage in Kern.
A new FREE testing center opens with many more to follow, should we as a community trust free tests funded by private Good Samaritan professional doctors with ambitions to re open or greedy chiropractic or non emergency urgent care companies charging $125 per test with questionable results and intentions.
Comment below.
During the worst National crisis since the Spanish Flu, communities around the country have seen acts of kindness from volunteers, community leaders and businesses.
#Kindness
Recently, WSPA donated $10,000 in VISA gift cards to frontline workers and seniors in Bakersfield, CA. So many acts of kindness like this are happening every day.
#Sharethis
"Kern Medical's healthcare providers are on the front lines in our community fight against COVID-19. The gift cards from WSPA made possible by Supervisor Perez were a great uplift to the staff. The cards were given to employees who have to carry the burden of caring for sick patients while keeping themselves and their families healthy."
CEO of Kern Medical Center Russell Judd said
#Kerncounty
Have you noticed any acts of kindness in your area? Please comment below
Fake news or fair and balanced?
Recently a local TV station held a debate for the 5th district supervisors race. The TV station had announced this debate was to focus on the issues in the 5th district "homelessness, public safety and oil"
The actual intentions of the debate were questionable. Insiders say Perez caught wind it might be a set up. The last 2 years the same station has "reported" on the lone latina dozens of times, some of the reports criticized as racially biased.
In the interview 17 showed their hand opening up the debate with a question regarding Perez's recent fine handed down by the local courts. Ironically, Bob Smith who debated on
the same platform in 2018, did not face the same questions although he received the same fines from the powers that be.
Another noteworthy fact is, David Abassi, another candidate who was present, was criminally charged for gun crimes and nothing was mentioned or asked by the station hosts.
So the question remains...was it a set up? Was Perez right for giving the debate and the station the cold shoulder? More to come....
Why would county leaders and a "TV" station engage in a smear campaign against first responders?
Some say it's an attempt to cover their a*#.
Cutting emergency services, like first responders is not popular with voters. Cutting first responders creates longer response times and frustrates emergency services. We are taxed more than any state in the country so you would think we should have plenty of these resources.
That's not the case in Kern County. In fact it's just the opposite. Our electeds have been in a deep recession over the last decade, some critics say that's due to poor leadership and some say it's from reckless spending, such as frivolous law suits like the multi million dollar redistricting loss the county took on the chin.
The County is being accused of participating in a "hit piece" against our very own firefighters. Recently KGET - TV 17 Bakersfield aired a multi prong report on the fire department, mostly covering cost and pensions. The story turned bizarre when the reporter took a nose dive into racism, at one point saying, "people who are being rescued would like the first responder to look like them."
Some say this was beyond a report, maybe beyond a "hit piece"...maybe a way to cover up some more bad decisions by the county.
Recently Mick Gleason and the "TV" station denied the accusations. This mostly fell on deaf ears, especially since the County spokesperson Ryan Alsop participated in the bizarre report and was clearly engaged in the assault.
More to come
Local "activist" David Abbasi has put his name in the hat to run for Kern County Supervisor.
Abassi has had serious issues with law enforcement aswell as questionable behavior. Earlier this year Abassi was charged with pulling a gun on a minor, which led to law enforcement investigating and seizing a stock pile of weapons from the trunk of his car. Among these weapons was an AR-15.
Abassi has represented himself in a case where local law enforcement filed an action to remove the weapons from Abassi for the safety of the public.
Now Abassi running for Supervisor brings up the question..should the public be concerned?
Judge rules Supervisor Perez was retaliated against
This week a ruling came down from Kern County Superior Court Judge that Leticia Perez was treated differently than another elected official and evidence shows it may have been because Perez supported DA candidate Scott Speilman's opponent Cynthia Zimmer.
A records request has been issued by the judge for the following-
1. All writings between DA Lisa Green and Assistant DA Scott Spielman or any person involved in Spielman's 2018 campaign containing any mention of Leticia Perez.
2. All writings from any interviews between DA's Office employees or peace officers and individual concerning possible political motives or retaliation on the part of Green against Perez based on Perez's apparent or actual support of DA Cynthia Zimmer during the 2018 election.
3. All writings from interviews between DA's Office employees or peace officers and any person concerning Green's alleged animus against Perez as a result of Perez's apparent or actual support of Zimmer during the 2018 election.
4. All writings between the DA's Office and any member of the Board of Supervisors in any way concerning any alleged violation of the Political Reform Act by Perez.
The question is, who's guilty?
A deputy responding to a man with a knife gets stabbed and shoots suspect.
About 3am on Sunday a deputy was responding to a call and was stabbed by a man with a mental illness. The deputy shot the man several times dropping the suspect but not killing him.
In recent months Kern County public safety groups have pleaded with the board of supervisors expressing the need for more deputies. Our sources say the Sheriff's office is short roughly 85 deputies.
Despite warnings from deputies about a shortage of deputies in Rosedale at a meeting in 2018, there has been no action from supervisors and now a deputy almost lost his life.
Some have recommended a new policy that would require 2 deputies to respond to certain calls, which in turn could increase response times due to a lack of available deputies. The question is, unless Kern County law enforcement gets more funding from supervisors..what should the priority be, response times or deputies safety?
Comment below
#SHARE #COMMENT
Pine Mountain Club, CA- More than 200 people gathered for a town hall meeting on Saturday. Neighbors spome with Sheriff's representatives about the rapid influx of crime in the small community. We spoke with Bill Lewis chairman of the association and he said "We usually get 1 or 2 break ins a year and we've had 32 since October."
Residents voiced their frustrations with the lack of law enforcement and slow response times. Sheriff representatives we're responding hopeful and encouraging people to stay pro active and vigilant. Deputies also offered advice on how to toughen up personal security. "Neighborhood watch groups and doorbell cameras will assist us in getting these guys off the streets" one deputy said. Deputies also expressed frustrations with limited resources provided to them.
The crime sprees continue around Kern County...more to come
Kern County Sheriff's Deputies leaving to other cities for better pay.
Recently members of the department showed up to share with supervisors they have explored every option and they are out of ideas. "Hope is gone and deputies are leaving" said Richard Anderson, president of the deputies association. "This has created a very dangerous situation for the community"
The mothers of the Bakersfield 3 shared how these problems effect victims and families. Last year a ballot measure for the 1 cent tax increase to fund public safety failed in Kern County. The (MOMMS) mothers of missing and murdered asked for another shot at the tax to be put back on the ballot, even recommending that it be temporary just to fix the public safety crisis. Crime is at an all time high.
Has this sheriff shortage effected you?
Comment below
Kern County Board-Supervisors are at it again. Planning to run a cannabis measure to combat a peoples measure put forward by Kern County Voters. After 2 years of banning dispensaries and creating a public safety crisis, the board is considering spending major resources to block the peoples initiative.
Critics of the supervisors latest scheme say the new measure is a slap in the face to voters, "challenging the voters will is a bad move." Mike Maggard for Supervisor is the author and main proponent of this measure despite Maggard taking cannabis money aswell as conflicts with his campaign managers and cannabis.
"This measure will have a chilling effect on the voters and their initiative" said David Abbasi a supporter of the peoples initiative. People marching in the recent protest were chanting "don't split the vote" a message to the supervisors before the meeting.
At the meeting Maggard announced his jury duty obligations last minute and gave no notice. Dozens of people showed up with one man saying "you can run and hide, but you will not sneak this one by the people."
"We will be back"
More to come...
☠☠It's a public safety nightmare ☠â˜
Kern County has lost it's entire gang unit due to lack of funding. Critics are blaming Zack Scrivner and other supervisors for prioritizing banning cannabis and frivilous gerrymandering lawsuits. They say these millions wasted could've met the needs of our sheriff.
Murder and gang violence has plagued Kern County and now with the news of complete elimination of our gang unit, these crimes are expected to increase. Kern County Supervisors have stonewalled deputies for a decade and continue to allow the department to breakdown.
The sheriff has announced more cuts to come...
#SHARETHIS
More revelations and lawsuits surrounding Mike Maggard and marijuana. In the past Mike Maggard has denied having any off the record discussions regarding cannabis regulations, but new lawsuits reveal meetings did take place with Maggard and his representatives.
"Local businesses have been shut down and others allowed to stay", said David Abbasi, a local dispensary owner who has filed the suit. The district attorney investigated Maggard last year and determined he hadn't violated any laws. Abbasi claims Maggrd did have meetings and there are witnesses to prove it.
Rumors of a movement to recall Maggard circling political circles, as more political corruption spews in Kern Couny.
More to come on this case
Valley Voice Exclusive
Leticia Perez case heats up:
Theresa Goldner former Kern County Council went on a public campaign calling for the prosecution of Supervisor Leticia Perez. It has come to our attention that Goldner along with Maggard and others built the framework for the illegal maps that were overturned and deemed illegal. She was also a champion for banning cannabis in 2012 and helped write measure G which only allowed 1 dispensary to operate.
Perez has supported cannabis regulation for years and testified against the illegal maps that essentially divided the latino vote. Insiders say the powers that be were furious that Perez would go against the grain and testify against the district maps, especially when the Federal Courts deemed the maps illegal, costing the BOS millions.
Upon investigating this story further the Valley Voice learned Deputy District Attorney Chris Dominguez, the DA lead the hunt on Perez actually worked for the Goldner's firm prior to recently being hired on by Kern County. Dominguez has yet to reveal his former employer despite the public news interviews where Goldner herself called for immediate prosecution for Supervior Perez.
This raises the question...who has the conflict here?
The District Attorney Duped The Judge
In a recent hearing local businessman and owner of The Valley Voice was released from a gag order placed on him 7 months ago by Kern County District Attorney Lisa Green.
A letter was submitted to Judge Charles Brehmer stating that Esposito was interviewed by an investigator and would be called as a witness, an interview Esposito said never happened. "The DA lied and fabricated that story so the judge would sign it. It's easy to see the DA wanted me quiet."
The legal team from UC Irvine represented Esposito and with months of preparation won the hearing lifting the gag order. The gag order, Esposito says was "a disturbing violation of my 1st amendment right."
Later this month the case against Perez will go forward with a motion her attorney HA Sala filed claiming the case against Perez is in fact discriminatory. More to come..
