Over a four year period, police officers in Bakersfield broke 45 bones in 31 people, and in no case did the officers involved in those encounters violate departmental policy. That’s the finding of an investigation from the California Reporting Project, a public-radio led collaboration looking into police misconduct. Molly Peterson, …
Read More »Following Mass Shooting, Fresno Police Explain Why New Task Force Targets ‘Asian Gangs’
At a press conference following the mass shooting that killed four and wounded six others in Southeast Fresno, Fresno Police Chief Andy Hall announced he had created an Asian gang task force, despite no definitive evidence the shooting was gang-related. Many members of Southeast Asian communities have since questioned why …
Read More »To Sort Up To 35 Tons Of Recyclables A Day, This Bakersfield Facility Relies On A Unique Labor Force
On the campus of the Bakersfield ARC, employees can work in a number of places, but one of the noisiest is the material recovery facility. It’s where about half of the city’s recycling is sorted by material. “On a daily average, we do anywhere from 28 to 35 tons a …
Read More »Police say no deal on California bill to restrict their use of force
Law enforcement organizations are unlikely to compromise with advocates of a proposal this session to restrict the circumstances under which police officers could use deadly force. Their staunch opposition significantly … Click to Continue »
Read More »Witness issues force delay in Merced County homicide hearing
A preliminary hearing Wednesday for the murder trial of Firebaugh resident Ashley Sanders in Merced County was continued after issues arose with some of the witnesses. Sanders, 25, has pleaded … Click to Continue »
Read More »Merced County Hopes A Deal With Port Of L.A. Turns Former Air Force Base Into Manufacturing Hub
We all know what a port looks like. There’s water and ships stacked high with shipping containers. But those are often in busy areas on the coast: Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland. Well, one Central Valley county has decided to get in on the shipping and distribution game. That county …
Read More »ACLU Report Claims BPD, Kern County Sheriff’s Office Have Patterns Of Excessive Use Of Force
A new report from the Southern California American Civil Liberties Union claims that the Bakersfield Police Department and the Kern County Sheriff’s Office have – in the ACLU’s words – “engaged in patterns and practices that violate civil rights” including the excessive use of force. In addition to an examination …
Read More »Family says Atwater school used ‘too much force.’ School says they protected students
A video showing an Atwater school employee lying on top of a Merced County woman and shoving her head towards the ground got a lot of attention online Wednesday. The … Click to Continue »
Read More »Woman killed in Yosemite while climbing called ‘force of nature’
A Yosemite National Park visitor died Saturday from injuries she suffered during a rock climbing accident, according to the Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office. Megan Christine Kelley, 25, was injured Saturday … Click to Continue »
Read More »Merced County has a task force for homeless veterans. Is it working?
An outreach campaign this week is a ramped up effort to locate homeless veterans in Merced County and connect them to services and housing, according to officials. The county-wide No … Click to Continue »
Read More »Merced police stats on use of force didn’t include an officer-involved shooting
A crime statistics report this week from the Merced Police Department had a notable omission — an officer-involved shooting. During a presentation to the City Council on Tuesday, police Chief … Click to Continue »
Read More »Excessive force claim filed against Modesto in deadly drug sting
Modesto is facing an excessive force claim from a drug sting in which two of its police officers fired upon a car, killing the driver and injuring the passenger. Attorney … Click to Continue »
Read More »Merced man killed in crash near Castle Air Force Base
A 29-year-old Merced man was killed Thursday morning when his pickup truck overturned on Santa Fe Road, just east of Castle Air Force Base, the California Highway Patrol reported. The … Click to Continue »
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