Bernita Jenkins

Housing Homelessness has increased over 37% in Kern County over the last year. It is time for action. Kern County can be a leader in the CARE Court (Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment) plan. This plan focuses on a broad array of programs to attack homelessness from every angle. This program offers an opportunity for some of the homeless to get off the street and improve their lives. I will create a County Task Force to identify state and federal funding sources to fix this problem. These programs will come together formulating a consistent and continuous plan to a path to success. We can reduce homelessness together ensuring our communities safety. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Public Safety is a concern of every resident. I will work to increase the presence of law enforcement in rural communities. My mission will be to provide more County resources in all areas to build a stronger work community. I will seek and demand State and Federal funding to improve funding for public safety departments across the County. Environment / Energy County waste can be seen in different ways: financial and refuse. Financial waste comes from the County attempting to cut vacant positions when current County workers are working overtime at a rate that is unhealthy for everyone. Refuse on the streets and roadway continues to grow at an unbearable rate and there are not enough workers to keep our District clean. We must work together to change these and other wasteful patterns within our County as a collective.