ARTICLE
The Santa Cruz Police Department has produced the 2015 Annual Report, their 1st annual report in over 29 years. The report shows crime trends and statistics, information on neighborhoods, and information on various Police Department programs. The police department reports it is at nearly full-strength with 93 sworn positions currently filled. Excerpted from the “Message from the Chief” There are many challenges we will address in the coming year. We continue to combat the unintended consequences of the AB109 prison realignment bill in 2011, which diverted low level offenders and parole violators to serve their sentences in County jails instead of State prisons, and mandated supervision by County probation officers upon their release from custody. We must also evaluate and respond to impacts following the passage of Proposition 47 in 2014, which reduced many drug and property crimes to misdemeanors. Proposition 47 has the potential to drive crime rates up and impact the quality of life for our residents. Many argue it has already done so. It takes an entire community to address crime and the fear of crime. The Santa Cruz Police Department is proud to collaborate with other community stakeholders such as our schools, law enforcement partners, service and faith-based organizations and community members working together in doing our part to ensure a safe, clean, robust and thriving environment. We must continue to preserve the quality of life for our residents and visitors through strong community policing programs. Read the full Annual Report