Bakersfield police are responding to an incident involving a woman who tried to drop off marijuana she found

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Bakersfield police responded to a 17 News report about a woman who was turned away from the police lobby when she tried to drop off marijuana found in her neighborhood.

On Monday, 17 News reported the story of Erica De La Rosa, who said school children found a box of processed cannabis just off Gosford Road in southwest Bakersfield and handed it to her. De La Rosa decided to call 911 and wanted to report it to the police. She said she was turned away at the door Friday afternoon and then called 17 News about it.

The department said officers and dispatchers were handling more urgent calls at the time De La Rosa attempted to drop off the box of marijuana. Public Information Officer Sgt. Eric Celedon said in an email to 17 News that because there was no immediate threat to public safety and no information on a suspect, the case was given a lower priority, resulting in a longer wait for a case reaction of the officers.

The department said officers De La Rosa contacted on May 3 were “actively investigating other incidents, including threats of violence and an individual who was actively experiencing a mental health crisis.” The department told De La Rosa they would respond once calls were completed.

Ultimately, an officer responded and picked up the marijuana from De La Rosa the next day, she told 17 News. The department said they took five bags of marijuana, including three bags weighing one pound each, as well as bags weighing 22.4 grams and 33.3 grams each.

De La Rosa said police told her to discard the other items in the box, including labels, a bag sealer, a scale and oven bags.

Celedon said the department reviews how each case is handled to ensure the department is providing the service expected by the community.