Crime statistics in Talbot County were down slightly in 2011, with 310 serious crimes reported by the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office to the FBI. 379 were reported in 2010. Crime data for the Sheriff’s Office revealed overall stable trends with some decreases in crime reports in other categories. Many of the most commonly reported crimes involved assault, burglary, theft, and malicious destruction of property.
Burglary accounted for a slight increase in serious Part I crimes; with 53 investigated in 2010 and 67 in 2011. As one of the most reported crimes, thefts declined by 78 reported incidents, with 224 in 2010 and 146 reported in 2011. In other Part I crime categories (homicide, rape, robbery, assault and motor vehicle theft), there were no significant changes.
In 33 less serious crime categories (Part II crimes consisting of: telephone misuse, trespassing, destruction of property, drug/alcohol violations and nuisance crimes, among others) investigations increased from 146 in 2010 to 179 in 2011. The trend leader in this category comprised narcotics investigations and arrests; with 25 in 2010 and 36 in 2011. During these narcotic investigations, almost 1 ¼ pounds of cocaine (551.9 grams), 11 ounces of marijuana (307.7 grams), $2,947.23 in currency, and one vehicle were seized. In other crimes investigated, 24 weapons of various types were seized.
For the third year, calls for service in 2011 were down slightly by 4.1 percent, with 13,595 calls for police service; representing over 37 calls a day. Annual calls for police service have ranged from a low of 4,796 in 2002 to a high of 15,214 in 2009.
During 2011, the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office investigated 2 rapes, 1 robbery, 67 burglaries, 146 thefts, and 4 motor vehicle theft cases. Additionally, there were 14 child abuse cases and 2 sexual assault investigations. There were no homicides or kidnapping cases in 2011; a stark contrast to the two homicides that the Sheriff’s Office investigated in 2010 – each within 10 days of the other. 50 registered offenders were managed in the county Sex Offender Registry Program.
Overall there were 513 adult criminal arrests and 49 juvenile arrests in 2011. The Office received and managed 630 warrants; with a service rate of 85.2%.
There were 6 fatal accidents investigated by all police agencies in Talbot County in 2011, resulting in 7 fatalities. The average age of the person who lost their life in these crashes was 60. The Sheriff’s Office investigated 134 crashes during this period, with patrol efforts resulting in the arrest of 108 offenders for driving under the influence (the youngest being 17, and the oldest 85). There were three juveniles arrested for DUI in 2011. Traffic enforcement resulted in 7,670 traffic violations, consisting of 4,196 warnings, 3,041 citations, and 433safety equipment repair orders – an increase of 8% in traffic safety efforts over 2010. An additional 66 commercial vehicle Level III safety inspections were conducted during 2011.
The Talbot County Sheriff’s Office crime statistics reflect reported crimes in the unincorporated areas of the county, and exclude Maryland State Police totals and those of incorporated municipalities that maintain a standing police agency.
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