State of the City: Progress on crime and homelessness, promise on commercial fronts

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Make no mistake: The city of Bakersfield still has plenty of challenges, but based on the tone of Wednesday’s State of the City luncheon, some good things are coming our way.

Good things in the way of commercial development, such as progress at the old long-ago-leveled East Hills Mall , an expanded footprint at Bakersfield’s one and only Trader Joe’s specialty grocery store and, perhaps a year from now, a new Whole Foods store . Those are the kinds of things that draw the most cheers, but it was the progress in less visible quality of life issues that are perhaps more meaningful.

City Manager Christian Clegg and Mayor Karen Goh were the bearers of mostly good tidings. Crime is down, almost across the board, contradicting the well-worn but largely false national narrative. But is the data showing the true picture?

“We always talk about ‘reported crime,'” Clegg said after the event’s conclusion. “We are concerned that if the community gets to a point where they continue to see crime, they get apathetic and may not report that crime, so we do appeal to the community: Please always still report that crime even if it has to be an online report or an hour after the crime. That data is really important to us.”

Retail theft and vandalism are still problems, though some progress has been made. Homelessness has been a tough nut to crack — yes, we’re playing that broken record again — but the city has made a $20 million annual commitment that’s showing results.

The city, emboldened by a recent Supreme Court decision, will be a little more forceful in managing the homeless issue. That doesn’t mean compassion is out the window, Clegg said

“At the end of the day, it’s also a balance in what the community needs,” Clegg said. “We can’t let a small number of individuals have a great impact on the rest of the community — that’s not fair in protecting their rights and their ability to enjoy their life as well. Of course, we offer the service first approach, we want to help individuals.”

Mayor Goh was her usual pumped-up self, enthusing about the acres of upscale restaurant and retail — including nationally known brands — coming to several widespread corners of the city. Exactly what labels? In most cases, we’ll have to wait to find out.

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