The City of Bakersfield's Office of Violence Intervention and Prevention (OVIP) is helping reduce gun violence and homicides in our community through outreach and support services. This newly-created office is funded by a grant from the California Violence Intervention and Prevention program to help break the cycle of violence for at-risk individuals in Bakersfield. OVIP's work and the City's Gun Violence Reduction Strategy led to a 57% reduction in homicides (60 to 26) and a 60% reduction in shootings (109 to 44) in 2024 compared to 2021. Mercedes Mayers, OVIP Outreach Program Supervisor, and Lt. Matthew Gregory from the Bakersfield Police Department explain how OVIP connects potential victims and perpetrators with community-based organizations to find solutions to community violence and make a difference for all residents.

Ver todos los episodios