Sheriff reports on crime statistics

By Sara QuamRock County Sheriff Mike Winkels shared a compilation of city crime reports and charges with the Luverne City Council, which contracts for service with the county.Council members wondered why the number of narcotics calls and complaints are so heavy.He said, "Drug use and sales are growing nationwide and we’re all seeing it and combating it the same. A lot of it has to do with more public awareness and them making more calls."There were a number of concerned citizens at the start of the school year who reported speeding in residential zones.Winkels said that a few tickets slowed down some drivers and made parents aware of their teenage drivers’ behavior.Some citations were(2004) and so far in 2005:
DWI — (24) and 16
Seat belt — (46) and 51
Speeding — (45) and 24Some liquor violations(2004) and so far in 2005:
Minor consumption — (10) and 8
Minor possession — (6) and 1
Under 21 consumption — (30) and 10Some criminal arrests (2004) and so far in 2005:
Assault — (1) and 11
Drugs, narcotics — (20) and 16
Shoplifting — (3) and 3
Theft — (25) and 7Some parking violations(2004) and so far in 2005:
24 hour parking — (7) and 9
No parking from 1 to 6 a.m. — (2) and 5Some initial complaints (2004) and so far in 2005:
Assault — (15) and 25
Burglary — (21) and 15
Criminal sexual misconduct — (1) and 3
Drugs and narcotics — (58) and 119
Drunkenness — (5) and 5
DWI — (24) and 18
Family child abuse — (53) and 45
Shoplifting — (6) and 6
Theft/larceny — (150) and 75
Vandalism — (84) and 41In addition, there have been five personal injury accidents and 84 motor vehicle accidents with property damage so far in 2005.There have been 23 reports of vagrancy in the city of Luverne.