Deputies with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office arrested 20 individuals for various crimes after putting more units on patrol in a notable high-crime area. The full release is below:

This week, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office conducted a patrol saturation operation in the area of Olive Drive and Knudsen Drive, including business parking lots, motels, apartments, and surrounding residential streets and neighborhoods.

A team of deputies remained highly visible in the area for approximately four hours on the afternoon of July 7, 2021, in an effort to identify criminal activity, apprehend offenders, and deter additional crime.

20 arrests were made for open charges, and active felony and misdemeanor warrants. Several of the arrests were related to weapon offenses and narcotics possession, including fentanyl. Four citations were also given.

The following items were seized as part of the operation: one firearm, narcotics and additional drug paraphernalia, currency associated with the sale of narcotics, and three stolen vehicles. One missing person was also located.

The area of Olive Drive and Knudsen Drive has unfortunately become an area of high crime, ranging from lesser misdemeanor crimes to violent felonious offenses. These crimes affect the quality of life and public safety in the community. The Sheriff’s Office is actively working with the community to identify areas where similar operations can be executed consistently until we see the improvement we are working toward.