When charity meets crime

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) – In recent years, nonprofits and churches like Stay Focused Ministries have faced increasing challenges with crime and vandalism.

• Founder and director Manuel Carrizalez said these problems have existed since the company first began serving the community 30 years ago.
• He says they have earned the respect of their fellow human beings through their work and long-standing commitment to the community, but even that does not provide them with complete security.

“It's… I don't know, it's inexplicable. It's hard,” said Bakersfield resident Ruby Guerrero.

Addicted to drugs for most of her life and living on the streets for most of her adult life, Guerrero has been able to turn her life around in the last two months thanks to organizations like Teen Challenge and Stay Focused Ministries, where she now helps distribute food each week.

“It's a blessing,” she said. “I'm so grateful to be able to help people who are in the same situation as me.”

In recent years, however, nonprofits and churches like Stay Focused Ministries have increasingly faced challenges with crime and vandalism.

“I understand. I have a friend downtown, just a few blocks away, and they smashed her windows over 30 times,” said founder and director Manuel Carrizalez. “And she had to pay for it, so it adds up.”

Carrizalez said these problems have been around since they began serving the community 30 years ago. Thanks to their work and long-standing commitment to the community, they have earned the respect of those around them, but even that has not provided them with complete security.

“I think the problem has been put off here. I think that might be more professional than trying to sweep it under the carpet,” he said. “That's why we had to put up these gates.”

Carrizalez said that because of the ongoing break-ins and thefts, they have had to dig into their own pockets to improve security, which is challenging for an organization with little money. He said it is even more difficult for other smaller organizations in their area.

“Right behind us is a church that they set on fire,” he said. “Honestly, I don't understand why they do this, but it happens.”

To combat the increase in property crime, the City of Bakersfield allocated $450,000 in federal assistance for business security grants last year. Applicants were awarded up to $5,000 for security improvements and up to $25,000 for site security measures. 71 grants were approved in the first round.

However, the grants are not only available to needy businesses, but also to nonprofit organizations and churches, so the city government encourages organizations to apply.

Carrizalez said that despite the ongoing crimes committed against his and other organizations, he believes it is worth continuing the work.

Guerrero said it was a unique feeling to have seen both sides of the issue.

“It's hard. People work hard and come from far away just to get a box of groceries. And then they're homeless on the other side. I think it's hard on both sides of the world, we both suffer sometimes,” she said.

The city said the Safety Improvement Grant program is currently on hold as remaining funds continue to be awarded. However, local nonprofits and churches can still apply for future funds by emailing [email protected].

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