Bakersfield Police Clear Large Railroad Encampment

Authorities offer resources to displaced residents while addressing safety and community concerns.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Bakersfield police have cleared a large homeless encampment along the railroad corridor, citing concerns about public safety, active train traffic, fire risks, and unsanitary conditions. During the cleanup operation, individuals were given notice and offered support from local resources like Flood Ministries, Be Finally Free, and Kern Behavioral Health.

Why it matters

Homelessness and unauthorized encampments on public and private property are ongoing challenges for many communities. This operation highlights the efforts by local authorities to balance public safety with providing assistance to those in need of housing and social services.

The details

The BPD Street Impact Team led the operation to clear the large encampment, which had grown out of control along the railroad corridor. Officers say they are enforcing trespassing laws on railroad property and documenting and removing property left behind. While some individuals expressed a desire for help, others preferred to continue living on the streets.

  • The encampment clearance operation took place on February 16, 2026.

The players

Officer Curtis Kniffen

A member of the BPD Street Impact Team who has been involved in these types of encampment clearance operations for about a year and a half.

Flood Ministries

A local organization that provided resources and support to individuals displaced by the encampment clearance.

Be Finally Free

A local organization that provided resources and support to individuals displaced by the encampment clearance.

Kern Behavioral Health

A local organization that provided resources and support to individuals displaced by the encampment clearance.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're essentially enforcing trespassing on railroad property, specifically targeting large encampments that have built up and kind of gotten out of control.”

— Officer Curtis Kniffen (turnto23.com)

“Some people really do want help and are just down on their luck. Others that I've talked to, I've been doing this for about a year and a half now, some people just enjoy living on the street. They don't mind the weather. They don't mind living day to day.”

— Officer Curtis Kniffen (turnto23.com)

“We don't want to just leave them high and dry and say, 'Hey, go somewhere else.' That's why we offer services. We offer outlets and alternatives to help benefit them in any way we can.”

— Officer Curtis Kniffen (turnto23.com)

What’s next

The Bakersfield Police Department says they will continue to respond to community requests and work to prevent encampments from returning to the railroad corridor.

The takeaway

This operation highlights the ongoing challenges communities face in addressing homelessness and unauthorized encampments, as authorities work to balance public safety concerns with providing support and resources to those in need. The collaborative efforts between law enforcement and local service providers demonstrate a multi-faceted approach to addressing this complex issue.