Sparta Police issue report on 2005 activities

The number of citations issued by the Sparta Police Department increased in 2005, while the number of more serious crimes declined according to information provided by the department.

The report, which highlights the activities of the department, has statistics for many of the department’s actions.

Members of the department responded to 95 wrecks in 2005, which is down from 2004, when the department responded to 105 wrecks.

Other activities in the department include the issue of 309 citations, (up from 240 issued in 2004); response to 30 domestic calls (up from 25 in 2004); 83 investigations into alarm activations (up from 69 in 2004); 18 noise complaints (up from 16 in 2004); and 68 arrests (down from 85 in 2004).

In 2005, the local police department had reports of 3,491 incidents. The number has increased by nearly a third over 2004, when the total events reported was 2,665.

The report also provides a breakdown of the number of arrests by the number of offenses and the race and sex of the offender. The highest number of arrests, 27, is based on driving while intoxicated by alcohol and/or drugs. Of the 27 offenders, 21 were white males, five were white females, and one was a black male. The second highest reported offense that resulted in arrests, 7, were drug violations. Four of the offenses were committed by white females, while the remaining three were offended by white males. Six of the seven offenders were reported to be residents of the county.

Five arrests were the result of forgery or counterfeiting. Four of offenses, according to the report, were committed by white males, while one was committed by a white female. Meanwhile, four white males were arrested for simple physical assault; and four arrests were the result of traffic violations other than driving while impaired. Three white males were arrested in 2005, charged with non-forced entry burglary. The categories of shoplifting; all other simple assault; all other offenses against family; city ordinance violations; and all other offenses reported two arrests per offense.

A total of 15 offenses resulted in one individual being arrested per offense. The offenses were aggravated assault; burglary, forcible entry; larceny; all other larceny; simple, non-physical assault; all other embezzlement; statutory rape; drug violations, using equipment or paraphernalia; drug violations; possessing or concealing equipment or paraphernalia; offenses against family; child abuse not involving an assault; drunk and disruptive; all other disorderly conduct; contempt of court, perjury, court violations; and escape.

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