Traffic Stops Increase Dramatically in 2013
According to information furnished by the 911 Center on the specific Code Events the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) responds to or initiates, one event, and also the number-one ranking event—Stopping Suspicious Person/Vehicle (10-38), has increased dramatically during the first half of 2013.
The number of arrests on the charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs more than doubled with 16 arrests during the first half of this year versus seven last year, while the total number of arrests were slightly less—341 this year versus 375 last year.
For the period of January 10 through June 20 of 2013, compared to the exact same period of 2012, the number of event code 10-38 soared to a total count of 2,261 versus 588 last year, almost quadrupling, and reflecting an increase of 385 percent.
In addition, according to information provided by the Probate Court, the number of citations issued, and the fines and fees, also showed a dramatic increase in the first half of 2013.
The number of citations for the first half of 2013 totaled 458 compared to 151 in 2012, tripling in the number and representing a 303 percent increase.
Accordingly, the number of fines and fees collected by Probate Court soared to $71,189 in the first half of 2013 compared to 2012’s $41,646, representing an increase of $29,543, a 71 percent increase.
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Newly elected Sheriff Donnie Pope reported that he actually had fewer deputies on the road the first half of this year versus last year and the reason for the sharp increase in Event Code 10-38 could possibly be due to the hard work, the encouragement, and the response his staff from the challenges presented to them. He went on to say that a sheriff is only as good as the people who work for him, and that he was extremely proud of the effort his staff had put forth.
Event Code 10-15—burglary, came to a count of 35 this year versus 46 last year, a reduction of 11, and a decrease of 31 percent.
However, other than Event Codes 10-38 and 10-15, the counts for the majority of the others for 2013 versus 2012 were consistent with last year, and although space doesn’t allow listing them all, some of interest shown as this-year/last-year are as follows: alarms—236/216, accidents—143/146, theft by taking—58/57, assist motorist—105/109, vandalism of property—44/49. domestic—65/70, subject needs officer—297/235.
The News reports a complete listing, space permitting, of the number of all Event Codes on a weekly basis.
All the numbers above are only for the JCSO and do not include the Monticello Police Department, the Department of Natural Resources or the Georgia State Patrol.
