Homeless camps in Bakersfield keep growing despite pushback from state

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — In June, we brought you the story of a controversial homeless field in south Bakersfield. 17’s Mikhala Armstrong returned to that field Friday, and it has worsened.

“That’s been there for a year and a half, that’s been there for six months…I know this place, you see my footprints all over,” said Daniel Rosales.

Daniel Rosales has lived in this homeless field off of S. Union Avenue for more than five years. He said it is called the Dead Man’s Trail, but among the many encampments, it is full of life.

“I live right there in those little rocks just to make sure I got a good view because when people drive, by all they see is a mess,” said Rosales. “Better a mess than death right.”

17 News asked Rosales how many individuals lived in his encampment and throughout the field. Rosales said, “Let’s say 50. There’s a least 15 people on that side of the train and on that side of the other track another 15. That’s 30 people, which leaves enough place for these messers.”

However, their place of refuge might not be there for long.

One neighbor said code enforcement informed those living at each encampment they have until Wednesday to get out.

“They told them to get what they need and get out because they’re going to trash it, everything,” said Irene Rodriguez, who lives across from the field.

As the state becomes more aggressive in sweeping encampment sites like this field, some have empathy for our most vulnerable.

“They don’t bother me. I put myself in their situation,” said Rodriguez. “We don’t know how they fell in that situation or what the problem is you know? Where are they going to go?”

Rosales said they clear out the field often, but everyone returns because there is nowhere else to go.

Rosales also shared his stance on Bakersfield’s homeless shelters.

“If you go to the shelter, you have to make it worth it. For me, this is more worth it,” said Rosales.

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