news
Bakersfield Council Approves Park Restrooms, School Safety Upgrades Amid Homeless Concerns
Residents raise alarms over homeless policies during public comment at the November 6 meeting.
How we reported this
Bakersfield City Council members voted unanimously on November 6 to fund two new prefabricated restrooms at Jefferson and Stiern Parks, add pedestrian safety features near Norris Elementary and Stiern Middle schools, sign a five-year body-camera contract with AXON Enterprise for the police department, adjust the Park Development and Improvement fee, and set the 2025 meeting calendar.
The approvals came during a session that opened with recognition of 14 Kern High School District students participating in the city’s 48th annual Teen Government Day. The 7-0 tally covered routine capital and operational items that city staff had placed on the consent calendar.
Community members press for housing focus
Once the formal votes ended, residents used public comment to question how city policies affect people living on the street. Speakers argued that enforcement actions against sleeping outdoors create extra barriers to stable housing and called instead for stronger tenant protections and more affordable units. Ashe Huang, a fellow with the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, told the council that punishing public sleeping undermines efforts to get people indoors.
Other speakers echoed the same point, stressing that education about tenant rights and expanded affordable-housing programs would do more to reduce street homelessness than new restrictions. The comments arrived at a time when the council had already moved several park and safety projects forward, highlighting a gap between capital spending and direct services for the city’s unhoused population.
Next steps for residents
The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for November 20 at 3:30 p.m. Residents who want to speak on housing or enforcement issues can sign up for public comment through the city clerk’s office or attend in person at City Hall. Details on the approved restroom projects and school-zone improvements will be posted on the city’s website once contracts are finalized.
Reporting for this story is based on the November 6, 2024 KBAK/KBFX account of the meeting.