East Side Story

I did a ride-a-long with the Gang Unit of the Sherriff's department in Bakersfield's east side recently. The east side is seeping with poverty and is a virulent breeding ground for the violent gangs that have been plaguing the city.

Because Bakersfield lies in between Los Angeles and northern California, it has become a traditional boundary line for northern and southern gangs. Violent rivals, many gang members from the north and south find themselves walking the same streets in Bakersfield. There are now 79 different established gangs here in a town of just over 700,000 people.

Shotgun drawn, senior deputy Matthews stands guard as another deputy arrests two men suspected of participating in a street brawl. More than 10 men, some possibly belonging to local gangs, were stopped from fighting in the middle of a street in east Bakersfield when a neighbor called the police reporting that knives had been drawn.

Senior deputy Matthews takes a suspect into custody after treating him for wounds sustained in the brawl.

A suspect glances back while he receives treatment for a stab wound sustained in a street fight.

A suspect bleeds from a stab wound that he received in a street brawl as he is led over to a sherriff's car for medical treatment.

Senior deputy Matthews questions two suspects detained after participating in a street brawl.

Watching a man push a popcicle cart, Deputy Rodriguez blocks traffic at the site of the street brawl.

Centennial's John Medina watches the game against Foothill from the dugout.

Centennial's Joe Etcheverry tags Foothill's John Ghilarducci out after catching Ghilarducci leading too far off first base.

Kamesha Bowens flies through the air during the women's long jump at the Bakersfield College relays.