Bakersfield leaders address crime concerns at Valley Plaza Mall

READ THE STORY: www.turnto23.c...
Organized retail crime has been an ongoing issue in California and Bakersfield has continued to see its effects. A community partnership between city officials, law enforcement, and mall security is now working on addressing the impact that crime has had on the Valley Plaza Mall.

[@dontmatter966]

All the cameras and security don't mean a thing if people aren't caught and prosecuted.

[@blastoisefart]

security doesnt do their job right thats why

[@Temo-dk3jx]

@@blastoisefart they legally can't do anything

[@blastoisefart]

@@Temo-dk3jx which means security isnt security, wrong title to give them tbh they just walk around like secret shoppers lmfao

[@juniorromero4126]

I worked here. People are not gonna stop stealing because security is non-existent here. Stealing is considered normal here and luckily I’ve never witnessed anyone getting injured.

[@astudentpilotlife]

The guy got shot in the leg about two year ago was one of my class mate.

[@PacERs143]

Security has nothing to do with it. It’s because there’s no consequences in liberal shitholes like California.

[@officiallydenise]

Over the last decade a lot of people from Los Angeles have moved to bakersfield…it’s almost like a mini LA now, crime and all.

[@davidquintanilla9335]

It’s worst than la in Bakersfield

[@officiallydenise]

@@davidquintanilla9335 haha yea cause it’s the same crime but not the same food or fun

[@Tyronebigggums]

Yup, all these our of Towner's be bringing Al the crime

[@davidquintanilla9335]

Exactly but atleast cheaper rent lol

[@Tyronebigggums]

@@davidquintanilla9335 not anymore bruh lol 🤣

[@HupCapNinja]

Seriously people have been shot here and no one has caught the people who did that! You can literally steal and kill in this mall and they won’t even catch you not to mention it’s voted as one of the worst malls in the state.

[@mayeks]

I keep my gun on me everytime I go into there

[@HupCapNinja]

@@mayeks I would bring a whole nuke.

[@richhomieguap6556]

The police doesn’t care!!! They take HOURS on HOURS just to respond to your call! I get robbed all the time and I work at a gas station just down the street from this mall!

[@HupCapNinja]

Exactly dude. Bakersfield is literally the Wild West you can do whatever you damn well please and they will not care at all.

[@ivandimas6343]

It’s always been like that not doing anything about it look what happened at the elementary school they never done nothing about it you where to blinded to see things now clearly you see it now

[@bryan34wable]

Valley plaza started going to crap ever since they got rid of the fountain for people to toss Penny’s into.

[@genaroneris8698]

Very true

[@Trance_Kitsune]

I miss Arby's and Orange Julius man... :(

[@gwenmacdonald3081]

I’m from Bakersfield and I’ve never seen it this bad

[@chocolate4135]

leaders talk about the crime but don't actually do anything about it 🤦🏿‍♀️

[@michellebradley05]

I was in the mall when this happened at apple. They ran out with tons of stuff security guards did absolutely nothing ! Thankfully most of the stores I like have been built elsewhere.

[@chocolate4135]

a year later and things are still the same 🙄

[@fatheroftheyear1826]

This mall has turned into a overcrowded flee market

[@HupCapNinja]

Except it’s too expensive and for Bakersfield it’s waaaay too expensive!

[@joestalin5303]

All the fleas shopping

[@johnjulie6657]

Valley plaza needs to have the police substation smack dab in the middle of the mall... right out in the open, not downstairs like they used to!!!

[@HupCapNinja]

Translation: “yeah it’s a crappy mall but we don’t get paid enough to really care so anyone can come here and do whatever lol”

[@Maziko_Lee]

People are messed up. :( I remember the days where shoplifters would wait by the exit so they could hurry past me as I'm leaving. The alarm would go off and security(?) would "do their job" and check my bag, knowing the suspect already left. Shoplifters are so bold now. They are proud. Shoplifting is not a right. It's shameful. It's disgusting. 👎 Raiding sucks.

[@HupCapNinja]

I seen kids go off with their bikes in there and the security just walks they don’t even run or do anything at all. I mean to be fair this is the same county that let EDP445 go.

[@AngelloDelNorte]

Yeah back then those were Wht thugs. Now central valley CA (or bakersfield) has "leetino" (my demography) thugs which have no slight sense of value or morals.

[@kevinmontoya7318]

I remember when the cops would beat their as* in order to teach them a lesson about never to steal.

[@Chato829]

@@HupCapNinja it was the same idiots that tried catch him that ended up ruining any way of prosecution. They used methods that would result in Entrapment, which let him get away so easily

[@ishowspeedfromstatefarm1095]

Shut up 💀💀💀 we stealings from big companies not from local people, stop crying, you not getting robbed

[@nomercy4life]

Call themselves leaders yet hide in small offices

[@alejandrogutierrez2015]

Big time

[@bongherini-MajestadAdonis]

Bakersfield police responded “ we only go for emergency reason” They make you wait 2 hours so those people get away and become a non- emergency reason 😆

[@HupCapNinja]

Dude they literally don’t even care at this point you can do whatever in the mall.

[@panchaguzman3719]

Yeah but their quick to get that check

[@Trance_Kitsune]

When I was a kid I would regularly see a few people pocketing soaps and other goods at Bath and Body Works when it used to be on the north side of the mall (compared to it currently being on the south side). They would pocket the goods while taking their time and then casually walk out without anything happening. Employees said they did it almost daily and it was always the same individuals. I remember being surprised that they haven't been caught because I was thinking it was a different group every time. lol

[@johnzuniga5207]

There’s to many bums in Bakersfield

[@meribelramon3328]

With the inflation I don’t blame them for stealing

[@dramasrassweetaschocolate2141]

this exactly people from out of town are pushing the lower and working class with low wages out of renting and buying homes and expecting for crime not to get worse as a recession approaches and as inflation worsens.

[@tmat2024]

Huh? You're kidding, right?

[@tmat2024]

@@dramasrassweetaschocolate2141 So that justifies smash and grabs??? LOL!

[@HupCapNinja]

@@dramasrassweetaschocolate2141 I can tell you and OP are from Bakersfield with that mindset. Inflation has nothing to do with people shooting up this place etc. they’ve been doing it before Biden.

[@astudentpilotlife]

And the guy that got shot in the leg about two years ago was one of my classmate. Not the safest place.

[@jakebkilgore2086]

Their solution is to place more direct calls to BPD? I don't think they realize they don't care and will never respond appropriately

[@timothee.chadamet]

People need to stop being ghetto and how embarrassed thefts should be of themselves

[@rifledepot6067]

People still go to Valley Plaza?

[@trinitydanktgames2996]

Someone broke my car window in the parking lot while in the mall for like an hour and a half tops. In daylight. Like they tried pulling my window out and now it doesn't stay rolled up.

[@samanthabrumley1362]

It’s only going to get worse once Dave & Busters opens up.

[@9340Singh]

This is why we need the Bakersfield Commons

[@ForeignForest_]

🤔

[@chocolate4135]

lol blah blah blah all talk and no action 🙄

[@brianpace6325]

Thanks “leaders” for going on air and stating the obvious. Worthless non-action. Blah blah blah.

[@giseleorig6917]

The target security at that mall is more rigorous than any other security at that mall

[@jackryan5214]

Interesting to see the point of view of council members. That one percent sales tax increase in the city limits (8.25%=full one percent last time I check was tens of millions of dollars). A lot of that money went to law enforcement, on top of the Mesaure that was quoted in the video. Verses, looking at solutions as to developing a diverse and healthy economy. (within the city limits) For example, the city could create pathways for people more inclined to commit crimes. I.e., workforce development, community outreach, efficient public transportation, and entrepreneur programs. Maybe, the voters in ward 1 or 7 want to hear, "hire more cops." But that isn't a practical long-term solution. As to vaguely blaming it on maurders or whatever , Concilmen Parlier mentioned.

[@tmat2024]

Now, you're on to something. Unfortunately, workforce development, community outreach, efficient public transportation, and entrepreneur programs will work for those who have the desire to participate in these activities, and invest serious time in them. There are far too many people committing the crimes out of the sheer thrill of being wicked, or the lust for material objects.

[@jackryan5214]

@@tmat2024 Thanks for your input. I agree with you, partially. However, desire and want can be created thru the state, i.e., education, after-school or community development projects, or private employment with values and traditions- that can be shaped system-wide with local customs, i.e., self-development and goal-orientated. We live in a materialistic capitalistic society-people can be molded. For example, tic-tok, a company purposefully dumbing down the user here in the States verse other cultures such as China, promoting science, community, and self-development. We can lower crime and get to the core of the problem: employment opportunities and education. It can be done; Kern County and Bakersfield lack leadership. (Before anyone jumps on me for using China as an example, we are a product of our environment and the things we feed our minds, It's just the most straightforward example of the community shaping people and people becoming the products they use. )

[@paradox_4094]

@@tmat2024 "sheer thrill of being wicked" doesnt just magically appear out of thin air. You need community programs and a variety of pathways in life made accessible to those that are more susceptible to falling into crime if you want any real long term improvements. Hiring more cops and beefing up their response time is necessary to stop the bleeding, but it's just a band aid solution for the problem.

[@tmat2024]

@@paradox_4094 No. You need everyone to follow the natural order of things...The Most High-Father-Mother-Children. Everything else will fall in line. This is spiritual warfare!

[@paradox_4094]

@@tmat2024 yeah good luck trying to legislate that, cultural changes take even longer than systematic ones, and the culture isnt going that way anytime soon so you cant realistically suggest that as the only solution when things are happening

[@Unknown-yc2xj]

People still shop at this dump? I don’t step foot anymore.

[@JovonGotJuice]

Smh but Gotta love my city

[@johnjulie6657]

Is Valley Plaza still a gun free zone?

[@ulyssestinoco3719]

Yes it is, according to those paper signs at the entrance

[@adamkrause7280]

Only if you follow the rules

[@voldmerot]

Well you see, this is what happens when God is not an important part of people's daily lives.

[@RaulGonzalez-gq5pr]

And it’s not true …. Shoplifting is not a priority even the news’s is lying… I spoken to some of the cops and they don’t even bother anymore

[@nanamafe1291]

Bakersfield is so bad people have no respect its disgusting. I’ve lived in LA, Texas and out of all places Bakersfield in my experience has been the scariest and most crime I’ve ever witnessed and experienced, I moved from that horrid city and I’m loving Nevada laws.

[@riosgladys2751]

Well if the law doesn’t change people will keep on stealing .. the thief can sue the store for men handle or for being hurt .. so this is why they keep stealing

[@presidentjoethudbrandon7074]

Oh... cameras. Well thats going to stop people when we live in an age where people wearing masks is normal. Here's an idea... "click, click, boom"

[@tylerdurden722]

Welcome to Bidens America

[@CrystalPantherMeanFangs]

Can’t wait for the crime to balloon even more once dave and busters opens

[@zenmetsuzogo4005]

Californians voted for Newsom and Gascon, despite that we had a chance to kick them out. We voted criminals to be our leaders. It’s not a surprise that they protect criminals. so we got what we deserved.

[@Fordgroup00]

No they didn’t. Look up ballot harvesting. It was a stolen recall

[@larryg.9187]

Zogo... Perhaps you've got a point... After all, Bakersfield and Kern County IS McCarthy's place of Office ... So, when you have Criminals who defend and Support another / other Criminals, you get a Place of Criminal Activity .....

[@elijahrose7913]

Go figure

[@BrndshTV]

When I was a kid this place was awesome. Kay bees toys was my favorite. Now I live in Arizona with my gun on hip with a quick draw.

[@delegate104]

when demonizing and defunding the police catches up with reality.

[@HupCapNinja]

To be fair it’s literally just Bakersfield I’m from Arcadia and they’ll lock you up for just stealing a pen. In Bakersfield you can rape, kill, etc they won’t care.

[@espiritucallejero9127]

Except it hasn't been defunded? Lmao Of all sectors of government, law enforcement is always first to get funding. Schools and Human services are always struggling to even get a crumb. Such a silly take

[@earthcitizen3988]

Yeah right! None of that has happen!

[@celos99]

The police don’t stop crime. They show up afterwards

[@delegate104]

@@celos99 ok Sherlock Holmes.

[@t4trojans990]

Snippers on the roof

[@tmat2024]

What are they snipping? Ribbons?

[@elijahrose7913]

Let's go Brandon

[@rfuentez55]

Keep voting democrat and this will get worse! Why would we make anything under 1k not worth it?

[@INFJ595]

Cr⚡me in second s.... 🚨 🚨 In minute.......there are many ways to check-out....choose wisely : 1. + 9.2 M jobs available 🇺🇲 2. + 8.6 % in Gov't/ Military

[@ricardosepicadventures9066]

My niqqa George!

[@theprofessorfate6184]

there should a limit of 100 mexicans/blacks in the entire mall at one time.

[@chris2217]

nah whites

[@avacadosupreme8272]

Lmao yooo chill, thats racists af 🤣

[@johnbaptise2262]

Lmao 🤣 bro it’s Bakersfield. That’s like almost everyone east of the 99

[@theprofessorfate6184]

@@killuaRagnar The odds of me achieving my goal are 10 to 1 to you achieving yours.

[@AngelloDelNorte]

As Mexican I would encourage this.

[@Amval_]

Moved out Bakersfield to Huntington Beach best decision I made. It’s getting so bad

[@HupCapNinja]

@John Jones Bakersfield is a glorified ghetto that’s worst than compton deal with it.