“Calls where I see death [are the worst]. Death is always horrible to see,” said Jacob Davidson.
But death is exactly what these news outlets want to cover.
Asking Davidson what he does for a living, he might give you a slick answer like, “I get paid to drive around in circles,” or he might say “I have the best job ever.” Davidson is a 33-year-old Bakersfield native best known for his news streaming channel “Dad’s Gone Live.”
After streaming on YouTube, Twitch and Facebook for three years. Davidson recently began stringing for Key News Network. A Stringer is journalist, videographer, or photographer typically assigned by a news organization to cover areas that are considered less newsworthy (Meirick, P.C. (2014).
“To be frank, selling news to mainstream media is like pulling teeth.” Davidson’s income comes from YouTube Ad revenue and his loyal subscribers. One YouTube subscriber donated to cover the Taco Bell dinner we enjoyed. Another donation filled the gas tank in the grey Jeep Liberty for the night.
As the sun went down, we met up with Davidson who agreed to let me and Paige Gaylord [photographer] ride along for the night. We were able to see firsthand what really goes on in Bakersfield after dark.
We gathered our camera equipment, bought some Red Bulls and as we began discussing the mobile streaming set up, a call came in on the police scanner; a motorcycle rider had his leg pinned. Let the night begin.
Davidson grew up with a cop car in his driveway; his father was a police officer for Bakerfield Police Department for over a decade. He became familiar with police codes and scanners as a kid. His grandmother liked to take him out to go scanner chasing. Admittedly, this might not have been the best environment for a kid, but both him and his grandma bonded over the thrill of the chase.
After working on oil rigs and landfills, he realized that sort of work wasn’t for him. Davidson was encouraged by a couple of old friends to try streaming the Bakersfield night life for fun. Never with the intention of being a full-time stringer or streamer. Davidson was put in a tough spot when his company laid him off.
He decided to give live streaming his full time and attention. “I thought it was the silliest thing.” Never in a million years did he think he would be providing for his family by livestreaming.
As the night went on, we got another call. A 4-year-old was struck by a vehicle. Immediately Davidson reacted with a lot of emotion and sped to the scene. Being a father, hearing calls about kids is the worst for him.
Mental health is admittedly the most challenging part of the job.
First responders, rescue firefighters, and police officers are often given resources, such as therapy, to cope with the mental anguish of dealing with so much death. However, streamers like Davidson are not afforded this luxury. Theres is no chaplain or paid time off for a streamer. If Davidson doesn’t go live, he doesn’t get paid.
When asked if all this crime watching has changed his outlook on the city, Davidson’s answer struck a chord with me.
“I went from someone that just hates Bakersfield because it’s just too hot, to someone who thinks there’s way too much crime here. I hate how evil it is, and I don’t want to raise my kids here.”
Although streaming nearly every week for 3 years has changed his outlook on the city. Davidson finds ways to improve the community. Offering food for the homeless, when he can, through donations and even dispensing Narcan nasal spray to assist first responders with overdosing victims.
Although the press may get a bad reputation in today’s culture, Davidson shows that any guy with a camera and a big heart can show the city’s true colors and do what he can to get the unbiased truth out on what really happens in the city of Bakersfield.
Want to learn more about Davidson? Tune in to “Dad’s Gone Live,” on YouTube, Twitch, or Facebook for weekly live streams and posts on crime in Kern County.
