Kern County is making its first use of Proposition 36, a new law passed in the last election aimed at increasing criminal penalties for repeat theft and drug offenders.
- The District Attorney’s Office filed it’s first case under Prop. 36: a felony shoplifting case with two prior convictions. The defendant, Dustin Towery, was arrested December 19, 2024, the day after the new law took effect.
Kern County is making its first use of Proposition 36, a new law passed in the last election aimed at increasing criminal penalties for repeat theft and drug offenders.
The District Attorney’s Office filed it’s first case under Prop. 36: a felony shoplifting case with two prior convictions. The defendant, Dustin Towery, was arrested December 19, 2024, the day after the new law took effect.
For some in our community, the new consequences leave them hopeful this action will have a significant reduction in these crimes.
“It was common that we would deal with repeat offenders,” said Lieutenant Nicole Anderberg, who heads up Bakersfield Police’s Impact Unit, a team designated to respond and handle calls regarding homelessness and other quality of life issues. “We were also dealing with frustrated community members as well.”