California: Bakersfield police respond to bomb threat as man barricades himself inside bank
An overhead view shows the scene in Bakersfield on Tuesday. Photograph: Jacob, Dad’s Gone Live/AP View image in fullscreen An overhead view shows the scene in Bakersfield on Tuesday. Photograph: Jacob, Dad’s Gone Live/AP California: Bakersfield police respond to bomb threat as man barricades himself inside bank People urged to avoid downtown as man, reportedly with bomb strapped to body, inside bank with number of people A man barricaded himself inside a bank in the southern California city of Bakersfield with an unknown number of people, police said on Tuesday. The unidentified man had a bomb strapped to his body, according to Bakersfield Now . Police responding to a call of a bomb threat arrived at the scene at about 1pm at a bank in downtown Bakersfield, Sgt Eric Celedon of the Bakersfield police department told the ABC affiliate, 23ABC. “I’m not using the H word,” Celedon said, when asked whether the man had taken hostages. “However, there is an unidentified male subject in there with an unknown number of our community members and they’re refusing to come out at this point.” The city also issued evacuation orders in the area, according to Fox 11 Los Angeles . “Please stay out of the downtown area,” the Bakersfield police wrote on social media . “Road closures are in effect and will remain in effect until further notice.” A JPMorgan Chase spokesperson, Peter Kelley, said the bank was working with law enforcement and its “focus is on the safety of everyone involved”. He provided no other details. Several city buildings were placed on lockdown, including City Hall North, City Hall South, the Development Services Building, and Bakersfield police headquarters. About a dozen police cars were on scene along with one tactical vehicle and multiple emergency responders, according to media reports. Bakersfield, a city of about 380,000 residents, is the county seat of largely rural Kern county and is about 100 miles (160km) north-east of Los Angeles. Explore more on these topics California West Coast news Share Reuse this content
Wow, what a tense situation! Its amazing how the police managed to defuse it so quickly. Its a reminder of how brave and dedicated our law enforcement really are!
Stay safe, folks! Bakersfield police are handling this calmly and efficiently. Lets support them and stay vigilant.
Its concerning how such threats can escalate. Law enforcement does an incredible job, but it raises questions about community safety. We need better resources and support for mental health to prevent such incidents. #SafetyFirst #CommunityCare
Understandable situation. Stay safe, officers.
While its heartening to hear about quick police action, such incidents highlight systemic issues. Why not invest in mental health resources to prevent such threats? #BakersfieldSafety #PoliceBravery #MentalHealth
Interesting that they responded to what turned out to be a prank. Shows how serious they take threats, even if theyre not real.
Its concerning when threats escalate. Law enforcement does an incredible job, but community safety requires more investment in mental health resources. Preventing these incidents starts with addressing underlying issues.
Absolutely, preventing these threats requires a multi-faceted approach. Can we explore how integrating mental health services into schools and communities could help address the root causes of such threats?
Addressing the root causes of such threats demands a comprehensive strategy that includes investing in mental health services, education, and community support. Integrating these resources can help prevent such incidents and foster a safer environment for everyone.
Of course, staying safe is top priority. But lets not forget, its the taxpayers money theyre spending to protect our borders from threats. #PublicSafetyFirst
This raises some good points.
I hadnt considered that angle.
Appreciate the detailed explanation.