In nontraffic-related FBI reportable crimes, there was a total increase from 1999 (1,061) to 2000 (1,100) of 3.6 percent.

These numbers come from the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office Annual Statistics Report for 2000, which was recently released by Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine.

There was one homicide in 2000 and five rapes, with both categories reporting no increase or decrease from 1999.

The greatest increase in FBI reportable crime came in the auto theft category, where 45 cases were reported in 2000, marking an increase of 35.6 percent from 1999, when there were 29 auto thefts.

Robberies were up 28.6 percent, with seven reported in 2000 versus five in 1999, and thefts up 13.8 percent, from 553 in 1999 to 641 in 2000. Burglaries went down 20.8 percent, from 241 in 1999 to 191 in 2000.

Decreases also were found in arson cases - six in 1999 compared with five in 2000 (down 16.7 percent) - and in assaults 7.3 percent fewer (from 221 in 1999 to 205 in 2000).

Of the FBI reportable crimes, the one homicide investigation was cleared by an arrest. Also cleared were 92 percent (189 of 205) of assaults; 67 percent (two of three) of the armed robbery cases; 50 percent (two of four) of attempted rapes; 40 percent (two of five) of arsons; and 24 percent (11 of 45) of auto thefts.

Ten percent or fewer of the cases were cleared in burglaries, thefts, strong-armed robberies and forcible rapes.

Only 6.93 percent of stolen property was recovered in 2000, with the largest portion coming from motor vehicles - $31,020 worth of $180,636 (17.17 percent) vehicles stolen were later recovered. Also recovered were 1.39 percent of stolen firearms and .16 percent of miscellaneous items.

None of the $45,240 stolen cash, $46,142 in jewelry and precious metals, $2,240 in furs and clothing, $8,550 in office equipment, $53,635 in electronics equipment, $19,623 in household goods or $972 in consumable goods was recovered.

The Kosciusko County Special Operations Team compiled statistics on drug arrests, seizure and eradication.

There were 104 drug arrests in 2000 as follows: crack cocaine, seven; cocaine, 50; LSD, one; depressants, six; and marijuana, 40. These numbers reflect a decrease from 1999's 122 arrests.

Police also seized 16 grams of crack cocaine, 27 ounces of cocaine, 15 doses of LSD, 77 doses of depressants, 13 doses of stimulants and 184 pounds of marijuana. Property seizures totaled $13,841. The amount of marijuana seized in 2000 was up substantially from 1999, when only 20 pounds were confiscated, and the crack cocaine and stimulants seizures were less in 2000 than 1999.

A total of 40,704 computer-aided dispatch system calls were logged during 2000 for the 42 law enforcement, fire and emergency medical service agencies dispatched by the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department (now the Kosciusko County Central Dispatch Center).

The department also reports serving a total of 1,119 warrants and 15,104 court papers, filing 1,159 accident reports, writing 3,027 traffic tickets and arresting 116 drunken drivers.

The greatest numbers recorded in each category were:

• 145 warrants by Deputy Jeff Shaw;

• 4,245 court papers by Sgt. Chad Hill;

• 131 accident reports by Deputy Doug Brumfield Jr., who also had the most drunken driving arrests for the department, with 18; and

• 353 tickets by Cpl. Chris McKeand.

The KCSD Drug Abuse Resistance Education program reported teaching 958 students in eight area elementary schools. [[In-content Ad]]