Sheriff Releases Annual Activity Report, Discusses Differences From 2015 Numbers

Darren Doyle, story:
Sheriff Shane Doyle gave an annual activity report at last night's fiscal court meeting and compared them with the activity from 2015. He reported the following:

Traffic:
Traffic Citations: 179 (-46%)
Courtesy Notices: 245
Vehicle Searches: 122 (+31%)
Accidents: 199 (+21%)
Motorist Assists:122

Complaints:
Calls for Service: 2617 (+11%)
Domestic Disturbance: 114
Drug Complaints: 120

​Criminal:
Arrests: 305 (+11%)
Search Warrants: 14
Criminal Citations: 720
Cases Opened: 107
Investigations: 116

Process Service:
Criminal Summons: 56
Civil Summons: 577 (+38%)
Arrest Warrants: 190 (+32%)
Subpoenas: 90
EPO/DVO: 30
​Papers Attempted: 287

​Special Details:
Security/Surveillance: 274
Funeral Details: 35
Vehicle Inspections: 583 (+37%)
Administrative: 350
Educational Programs: 24
Court: 118
Assist Other Agencies: 326

Sheriff Doyle spoke about specific categories that had unique increases or decreases in numbers. The first was a 46% drop in traffic citations.

"We received grant money to pay overtime to our officers in 2015 that allowed us to spend much more time patrolling and making traffic stops," he said. "We weren't awarded those grants in 2016 and it caused a decrease in citations."

He said a 21% increase in traffic accidents was also a direct result of less patrolling. "When we're not out covering as much ground, people tend to drive a bit more carelessly."

The Sheriff's office responded to 11% more calls in 2016 than the year before and Doyle says he feels like that's due to more of the public feeling like something will be done when the Sheriff's Office is called. "We're working hard to make sure that calls are not only answered as efficiently as possible, but that things get done."

He said a 38% increase in civil summons was due to having a fully staffed office which allowed the office to run more smoothly and efficiently.

Finally, he said his opinion on the sharp 37% increase in vehicle inspections was due to a better economy and that people were simply buying more vehicles.

In summary, he credited his entire office for working so well as a team and discussed the progress that the department was making as a whole.

"We became fully staffed, added a court security officer, a new animal control officer who's doing a fantastic job, a new K9 Unit, and we've been able to invest seized drug money back into our office to help with the fight against drugs here and to continue keeping Edmonson County safe for everyone."