Local arrests increase by 5 percent

Talk about it

The number of arrests made by the Mitchell Police Division went up about 5 percent in 2011, according to statistics released last month by the state Attorney General’s Office.

The Mitchell Police Division reportedly made 1,402 arrests in 2011, up from the 1,330 arrests the department reported in 2010. The department’s rising arrest totals match the trend statewide, as law enforcement in South Dakota reported 33,340 arrests in 2011, or about a 5 percent increase from the 31,801 arrests reported statewide in 2010.

The statistics were compiled by the state Criminal Statistical Analysis Center and were released in July by Attorney General Marty Jackley.

The increase in arrests by Mitchell police mirrored the city’s 5 percent population increase in 2011. Mitchell’s total estimated population rose from 14,669 in 2010 to 15,440 in 2011, the report says.

About 22 percent of those arrested by Mitchell police were juveniles, which is slightly more than the statewide rate of 19 percent. Liquor law violations remained the most common type of crime in 2011, with 263 arrests reported by Mitchell police.

The other most common arrests by Mitchell police in 2011 were for simple assault, with 177 arrests; driving under the influence, with 120 arrests; drug violations, with 119 arrests; and shoplifting, with 113 arrests.

Of those offenses, arrests by Mitchell police for drug violations, drunken driving and liquor law violations increased in 2011, while arrests for simple assault and shoplifting decreased.

Among the arrests for more serious offenses, Mitchell police reported one arrest for forcible rape, one arrest for statutory rape, 20 arrests for aggravated assault and 20 arrests for burglary.

The state report shows arrests for drug violations, sex offenses, homicide/negligent manslaughter, property damage, motor vehicle theft, arson, kidnapping, pornography and gambling all increased statewide by varying degrees in 2011.

Arrests for theft, robbery, burglary, fraud, counterfeiting/forgery, embezzlement, stolen property and weapon laws violations all declined statewide in 2011, the report says.

Tags: crime, local, mitchell, statistics, news, updates