TEHACHAPI, Calif. — City Officials say two new propositions are the reasons why crime in Tehachapi is up as of November 2018, according to a Kern County Grand Jury Report.
According to the Grand Jury Report, crime is up by 22% as of November 2018. Between 2016 and 2017, Tehachapi had a 34% reduction in crime, so city officials said crime is still down overall as compared to past years.
City Officials say the increase in crime is due to California voters passing Prop 47 and Prop 57. Prop 47 re-categorized some non-violent offenses to misdemeanors rather than felonies. Prop 57 allows parole considerations for non-violent offenders, reclassified sentencing laws for minors and authorizes sentencing credits for rehabilitation, good behavior and education.
City Officials reported the following crime statistics:
- Calls for service: 11,136
- Officer-initiated incidents: 6,938
- Criminal vehicular accidents: 52
- Felonies: 567
- Misdemeanors: 1,058
