New numbers from the Bakersfield Police Department show gang homicides are up, with seven already this year.

Sgt. Brian Holcombe thinks it’s too early to tell why we’re seeing an increase from 2017, but he says BPD is trying to stop it before it starts with anti-gang initiatives in the schools and community outreach programs.

Overall gang related shootings fell 52% last year partly because of sweeps like Operation Blind Mice, which netted 40 West Side Crips.

Kelli Pierce