Bakersfield Police Chief Lyle Martin was a guest on “First Look with Scott Cox” on Tuesday morning, and faced questions from the hosts about immigration enforcement, homelessness and texting while driving.
Martin tackled the issue of distracted driving first.
“We need to do something to get people’s attention, because it’s just not working,” Martin told hosts Scott Cox and Michael Hopper. “I will stand here at the corner of Truxtun (Avenue) and Eye (Street) and I make it a point to see how many people going through that intersection looking down at their phones. It’s unbelievable.
“It’s people 18 to into their 60s. Everybody is on that phone.”
During the 15-minute long interview, Martin also addressed homeless issues in Bakersfield.
“Yes, that’s a huge issue,” Martin said. “I get (City) Council referrals. I get business referrals almost daily.”
Martin said the issue is complex due to the many factors that lead to homelessness.
We have many partnerships with the Homeless Coalition and with Louis Gil at the Homeless Shelter trying to get people the services they need,” Martin said. “But sometimes they don’t want the services.”
