Safe Streets meeting talks of spike in robbery crimes

Sept. 05--They meet once a month to talk about reducing crime, building bridges between local police and the community and maybe saving a few souls in the meantime.

On Tuesday evening, community partners from area churches and ministries, nonprofit organizations, former gang members, representatives from the Kern County District Attorney's Office, the Bakersfield Police Department and others gathered at the Larry E. Reider Education Center in downtown Bakersfield.

Goal No. 1 for the monthly meeting of the Safe Streets Partnership is to reduce the number of gang-related shootings in the city.

But this time, BPD Capt. Joe Mullins and Sgt. Daniel McAfee were concerned primarily about a recent spike in robberies, including "crews" of three or four armed individuals making off with spools of lottery tickets from convenience stores and neighborhood markets.

"We believe some Westside Crips are responsible," McAfee said.

And they're concerned that members of the Eastside Crips criminal street gang may become active as well.

Other crimes that appear to be on the upswing include robberies of motorists sitting parked or idling in their cars.

Expensive cell phones, purses and wallets are often the targets of these thefts.

Please remain aware of your surroundings, Mullins and McAfee said to the two dozen or so participants seated in a large squared circle.

The two veteran officers also noted that area residents making sales or purchases through Craigslist or similar methods of exchange are advised that the person on the other end of the proposed deal may not have your best interests at heart.

Police stations downtown and in southwest Bakersfield are ideal places to meet with a potential buyer or seller.

"Even if the lobby isn't open there are cameras recording everything happening outside," Mullins said. "If somebody doesn't want to meet you at the police department, you might want to think twice about it."

Barring a police presence, Mullins suggested a well-lighted location such as a Starbucks or a restaurant.

In other business, Wesley Davis, founder of the Wendale Davis Foundation, reminded attendees that the foundation's 11th Annual Walk for Peace & Family Resource Fair will be held at 10 a.m.Sept. 29. The walk begins at the foundation offices, 730 Chester Ave.

In addition, hundreds of backpacks for schoolchildren will be given away beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Victory Outreach Southwest, 4704 New Horizon Blvd.

Steven Mayer can be reached at 661-395-7353. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter: @semayerTBC

___

(c)2018 The Bakersfield Californian (Bakersfield, Calif.)

Visit The Bakersfield Californian (Bakersfield, Calif.) at www.bakersfield.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.