The Bakersfield Police Department is struggling with a year of violence that could result in the highest homicide total ever. Sgt. Daniel McAfee of the gang enforcement task force believes prison realignment, which lets convicts out of prison sooner, is one factor in the increase. Non-violent convicts are released early but many have violent convictions in their past. McAfee also says social media has gang members inciting each other more often leading to fights and shootings. Meanwhile, his task force is taking more guns off the streets than ever before, but he says there’s no one cause and no one solution.

Sean Michael Lisle