An interview with Lodi Police Chief Tod Patterson

These days, if you think our city has more crime problems, you’re probably right.

According to Lodi Chief of Police Tod Patterson, service requests for this year have increased by 1,800 calls, as compared to the same time last year. In addition, 350 more criminal reports have been written and 180 to 200 more arrests have taken place.

The main reason for this surge is the California voter approval of Proposition 47. More recently, passage of Proposition 57, along with our local community’s failure to approve Measure S by a mere 13 votes, are bound to promote problems as well.

Prop. 47, passed 2014, reduces many felonies to misdemeanors. Along with Gov. Brown’s “prison realignment” program, a number of our state’s so-called “non-violent” criminals are being rerouted to county jails.

Now these jails are filled, and many repeat offenders need to be released in order to make room for new bookings generated by police and sheriffs’ departments daily.

“One of our locals is arrested on an average of five to seven times per month,” Patterson told me. “Because of Prop 47, there isn’t much else we can do.”

Prop. 57 was just passed in the November election. Although it was billed as a common-sense approach for “non-violent” criminals, it allows early release of those convicted of rape, lewd acts with children, human trafficking, arson, drive-by shootings and domestic violence with trauma — just to name a few.

It also overrides sentencing by judges and overturns parts of previously voter-approved laws, such as the Victims’ Bill of Rights and Marsy’s Law — a measure named after a young woman who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend.

Measure S would have provided a gang intervention worker and additional uniformed officers. Now the department is faced with more responsibilities on an already overworked staff while the city continues to grow.

Despite Lodi’s expansion over the last 20 years, police staffing is now lower than it was in 1996. According to the website Areavibes.com, Lodi has less than half the number of officers per thousand residents as compared to the California average.

“Our response time is still good for emergency calls,” said Chief Patterson. “But waiting times for low-priority calls will continue to grow.”

The latter usually involves non-life-threatening situations.

But Lodi’s top law enforcement officer says there are things citizens can do to cut down their chances of becoming

“Measure S would have provided a gang intervention worker and additional uniformed officers. Now the department is faced with more responsibilities on an already overworked staff while the city continues to grow.”

crime victims. One is to make sure that someone checks for expected packages at the door when you’re not at home.

Another is not to park on the street with a garage door opener inside your vehicle.

Still another is to let the police know if you have a working camera attached to your home or business when a crime has been committed nearby. That video can be very helpful in solving and preventing criminal activity.

Being aware of phone scams is another crime prevention measure. These include the phony IRS agent who says he’s coming to your house to make an arrest if you don’t pay immediately.

Usually these scams have international connections, and unfortunately, there is very little a local police department can do other than make people aware of the dangers. Even the chief has received these types of calls.

He also warns the public to check devices where their credit cards are scanned. Look for anything unusual. For example, Costco has tape on their fuel pump scanners to detect tampering. Do not use your card at the pump if this tape has been disturbed.

On the other hand, Patterson reveals that law enforcement news for our community is not all bad.

“Gang activity is the lowest it’s been in 10 years,” he says.

He also hopes to obtain one or more retired officers to help with the approximately 400 homeless people living in our community. Many of these folks have serious mental health and substance-abuse issues.

Patterson believes that officers dealing directly with the problem may enable some to seek professional assistance. Manteca does this, and 37 people have been helped within the first three months.

Despite handicaps created by voters — both locally and statewide — Chief Patterson wants the public to know that he, his officers and staff all are dedicated to providing the best services possible for members of this community.

“We remain vigilant,” he said.