Tehachapi Police Chief Kent Kroeger was the guest speaker at the March 10 meeting of the Tehachapi Rotary Club.

Chief Kroeger told Rotarians and guests that he was just 40 days from retirement with all paperwork completed when he was asked to continue as chief of the Tehachapi Police Department. He added that his wife had actually purchased a community brick for him inscribed with the years 2014-2022. He has agreed to serve the city for another two years.

Kroeger said that within the City of Tehachapi, 2021 brought an 11.5% overall reduction in crime. Felony arrests were down 17.4% in 2021 with an overall reduction in calls of 4.6%. The city receives an average of 616 call per month.

Property related crimes make up 78% of the crimes committed in Tehachapi with vehicle theft and larceny at the top of the list.

"Education is the best defense," said Kroeger. "People in Tehachapi think like it's still 1978. They will still leave their keys in the car."

Crimes of opportunity are at the top of the list and educating the public is the best defense. He complimented Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer in her crime prevention efforts.

Before coming to Tehachapi, Chief Kroeger served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for 26 years and was second in command at the Lancaster Sheriff's Station. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology from Portland State University and a master's degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati with a concentration in crime prevention and crime analysis.

In Tehachapi, Chief Kroeger was instrumental in the formation of the Tehachapi Police Foundation that sponsors events like Shop with a Cop, National Night Out and Trunk or Treat. The Tehachapi Police Department has a staff of 27 including 17 police officers and is active in neighborhood improvement projects as well as neighborhood policing.

The Rotary Club of Tehachapi is a volunteer service organization with the motto "Service Above Self." The club meets on Thursdays at noon. For more information about Rotary Club, you can visit their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/RotaryClubofTehachapi/ or contact club President Paul Kaminski.