In part three of our three-part report on the Yucca Valley Town Council meeting, Sheriff’s Captain Jeff Joling gave a public safety report to the Town Council Tuesday night, breaking down calls for service, response times, and trends for various crimes in the town. Managing editor Tami Roleff says that while the number of calls are up this year compared to last year, that’s not necessarily bad news…
Sheriff’s Captain Jeff Joling told the council that while the calls for service in the first quarter of 2016 were up by about 150 compared to the same time last year, that doesn’t necessarily mean that crime rates have increased in the town. Citations have increased by about 80 over last year, and arrests are up, too, from 177 to 221. Traffic collisions are down compared to this time last year, as are thefts and robberies. Assaults and vandalism have increased over last year, as have complaints against off-road vehicles and drug offenses. “When it comes to drug offenses, that’s not an entirely bad thing when you see that number increase, and that’s because those are the people that we’ve actually contacted or taken some sort of legal action against them for drug offenses. So, a higher number is better.” Joling offered tips to residents on how to prevent crime: “We really want people to lock all their doors and windows. Alarms on residences are very effective. Be a good neighbor and participate in neighborhood watch. Keep valuables out of sight. And of course, protect your mail and your identity as a valuable possession. And if it is too good to be true, it is not true.”
YUCCA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL PART 3 OF THREE: PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATE
