Bakersfield Gets $5M to Prevent Domestic Violence Deaths

Princess Bowden was 22 when her ex-boyfriend showed up at her door three days after she ended their relationship. What happened next changed her life forever.

During a confrontation where he threatened suicide with a sawed-off shotgun, Bowden was shot trying to stop him from reloading. The injuries to her arm were so severe that complications eventually led to amputation at the shoulder.

Her ex turned himself in and received just seven to eight months in prison. Bowden, now more than two decades past the shooting, wants others to recognize the warning signs she saw.

"I remember him saying, 'If I can't have you, nobody can have you,'" Bowden recalled. She credits watching her parents' healthy relationship for helping her realize something was deeply wrong.

Bowden's story comes as Bakersfield tackles a troubling trend. Last year, 33 people died by homicide in the city, with domestic violence and interpersonal conflicts making up a significant portion of those deaths.

Now the city has new tools to fight back. Bakersfield just received $5 million from the California Office of Violence Prevention to support intervention strategies that could save lives.

The funding will partner police with Lisa Barao, a criminologist from the University of Pennsylvania's Crime and Justice Policy Lab. Together, they're analyzing data from previous domestic violence homicides to spot patterns before situations escalate.

"With the resources we have, we've been able to make some real reductions," said Assistant Chief Brent Stratton of the Bakersfield Police Department. The data-driven approach focuses on identifying trends and intervening early.

The Ripple Effect

The program represents a shift from reacting to tragedies to preventing them entirely. By studying what led to past deaths, officials can identify high-risk situations and connect people with help before violence occurs.

Crystal Rubio, manager of the city's Office of Violence Intervention and Prevention, emphasized the importance of letting data guide their response. The goal is simple: fewer families experiencing the loss Bakersfield saw last year.

For Bowden, survival came at a tremendous cost, but she's grateful to be alive to tell her story. Her message to anyone in a dangerous relationship is direct: "You have to get out of it."

The Open Door Network operates a 24-hour hotline at (661) 327-1091 for anyone experiencing domestic violence.