Letter: South Lake Tahoe Republican Women host police chief and K9 officer

The Republican Women of California - South Lake Tahoe guest speaker series continued in March with a talk by David Stevenson, South Lake Tahoe Chief of Police, Officer Corey Wilson, and Canine Officer Rocky.

Officer Wilson talked about the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) Canine Program, its benefits, and safety aspects to the public and police officers. Assembly Bill 742 almost ended the K9 officer program, but it ended up not passing.

Chief Stevenson spoke to a packed audience about a variety of issues affecting South Lake Tahoe, including the four recent deaths from fentanyl poisoning. He mentioned that the pharmaceutical company's recent opioid settlement monies have helped South Lake Tahoe collaborate with Barton Hospital on a Narcan disbursement program, education, and work on mental health issues.

Chief Stevenson discussed Proposition 47 which passed in 2014 and mandated prison population reductions. The state government’s answer to reducing the prison population was to not prosecute certain crimes. This proposition took away several effective policing tools (i.e. drug offenders no longer get offered rehabilitation but rather get a “ticket”; petty theft threshold changed from $400 to $950, and, shoplifting is now defined as entering a commercial establishment with intent to commit larceny while that establishment is open during regular business hours, where the value of the property that is taken or intended to be taken does not exceed $950). That being said, the Chief mentioned there is an amendment in the works now on Prop 47 to help restore some of the policing tools that discourage people from committing these crimes.

Chief Stevenson said, “This department has truly been my life’s work. The officers who work in our department are the best of the best, and I am proud to continue on the legacy of trust, accountability, and public safety we’ve had for so many years.”

It’s been a challenging 3½ years with national policing issues, navigating through COVID, the Caldor Fire, and state law changes, etc. He is also grateful for the great team of people working at the Police Department and the cooperation the Department receives from the public.

The Republican Women of California - South Lake Tahoe (RWC-SLT) meets most months on the second Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, please email us at: sltrepublicanwomenofca@gmail.com

- Terri Jinkens
Republican Women of CA – SLT
3rd VP – Press Communications