The City of Bakersfield announced Friday it is forming a new task force to address the shortage of local jail beds, a problem that has led to many criminal suspects being released shortly after arrest.

City Councilmember Bob Smith and City Manager Christian Clegg held a press conference outside City Hall South to outline the city’s efforts. They said the task force will focus on finding solutions to create more available jail space.

Officials said the city now has 120 more patrol officers than in 2019, thanks to the voter-approved Public Safety & Vital Services Measure, also known as Measure N. With more officers on the streets, the city is arresting hundreds of chronic low-level offenders each month.

However, Smith said the lack of available jail beds has limited enforcement efforts. According to city officials, more than 80% of suspects are released within 24 hours of being taken into custody.

“This is just plain wrong and a waste of taxpayers money,” Smith said. “I come to you today to begin a process towards a solution to our lack of jail beds. A crisis that has plagued our community for way too long. There’s simply no accountability for lawbreakers and that is what creates lawlessness across our city and county.”

Clegg said public safety improvements depend on accountability.

“Everyone knows that this is the preeminent issue in our community,” Clegg said. “Public safety has to get better. But unfortunately it’s not an enforcement problem, it’s an accountability problem.”

Smith called for the formation of a broad coalition to work on the issue.

“We need jail bed space to hold them accountable,” Smith said. “We can’t continue to blame Sacramento for our problems. I’m requesting that we form a task force that includes the whole community, including public safety, district attorney, business groups and individuals to work towards a real solution for our citizens. We must stop the lawlessness that now permeates our great city and county.”

Clegg said the city must treat the jail bed shortage with urgency.

“We cannot accept the status quo,” Clegg said. “We don’t assume it’s easy. If it was easy, we would have already solved it. We know it’s a challenge, but we have to show more urgency and more prioritization to make sure that something changes around this topic so that we can make real progress around public safety.”