LA PORTE, Ind. -- Earlier this week, the La Porte County Sheriff's Office released preliminary data from its 2024 Annual report that showed statistics for metrics such as calls for service, offenses, arrests, crashes, citations, and warrants.

“The crime related data within this year’s report reveals some significant decreases in several categories," said LCSO Sheriff Ronald Heeg. “With that though, traffic safety remains a concern due to increases in a couple categories."

According to the report, a total of 25,718 calls for service were answered in 2024, down nine percent from the 28,199 answered in 2023.

Violent crime decreased by 22 percent in 2024, with a total of 189 violent crimes investigated this year versus 242 in 2023.

Major cases also decreased last year, down 27 percent from a total of 376 major cases investigated compared to 513 investigated in 2023.

“We are very pleased with the reductions of violent and major crimes," Heeg said. "Lesser amounts of crimes such as burglaries, thefts, and batteries signify a safer La Porte County."

In 2024, a total of 2,712 people were arrested by LCSO deputies, an 18 percent decrease from 2023.

While the overall trend of the report seemed to be a decrease in crimes and calls for service, alcohol-related crashed jumped by 136 percent, from 52 in 2024 from 22 in 2023.

“We are extremely concerned about the increase in the number of alcohol related crashes. High-visibility aggressive traffic enforcement will continue and remain a priority to increase the safety of motorists traveling on roadways across La Porte County.”

Seventeen people died in crashes in 2024, up 31 percent over 2023. A total of 1,050 crashes were investigated by deputies in 2024. The highest number of crashes occurred on Fridays (179) and in Coolspring Township (176).

The La Porte County Jail booked in 4,158 people in 2024, a six percent decrease from 2023's 4,428 people booked.

The average daily population of inmates locked in the jail was 372 and a total of 460,738 meals were prepared by the jail’s contracted food service company in 2024.

According to the report, the Warrants Division received 1,111 new arrest warrants for processing and data entry and served 1,135 arrest warrants last year.

"Transparency with the citizens of La Porte County remains important for the Sheriff’s Office," Heeg said. "When the entire annual report has been completed, along with the Jail Division annual report, it will be published on the agency’s website."

"The agency remains focused on improving public safety for all and keeping La Porte County a wonderful place to reside, work, and visit," Heeg said.