March 23, 2022
Crime and Collision Data Released
along with comparisons from the previous year of 2020.
Please take note that these numbers are obtained from the total numbers of initial reports taken, and do not take into account a case that after investigation was unfounded, or that was ultimately prosecuted as a lesser degree crime.
Part 1 Crime (the most serious) had an overall increase of about 4%, the increase being attributed to the Felony Theft related category.
The Graves County Sheriff’s Office investigated no instances of Murder in 2021 compared to the same in 2020.
*Rapes- Reported cases increased from 5 in 2020 to 7 in 2021. (+40% increase)
*Robberies- 1 in 2020 and 2021 (100% increase)
*Felony Assaults- Remained the same, 12 for each of the past 2 years.. (0%).
*Residential and Commercial Burglary- decrease from 88 in 2020, to 68 in 2021. (-22% decrease)
*Felony Thefts- Increased from 97 to 116. (Increase of 19%)
*Auto Thefts- Increased from 21 in 2020 to 23 instances in 2021. (Increase of 9%)
*Arsons- there were two (2) reported arsons in 2020, and none in 2021. (-100%)
Part 2 Crime (less serious and mostly misdemeanor crimes)
*Simple Assaults- saw a decrease with 88 reported cases reported, compared to 85 in 2021. (Decrease of -3%)
*Receiving Stolen Property: 8 in 2020 and 12 in 2021. (Increase of 50%)
*Criminal Mischief- 68cases in 2020, 2021- 84 cases. (Increase of 23%))
*Weapons Violations: Remained the same for both years at 9 (0%)
*Sex Offenses (other than rape): 2020 18, 2021 16 cases. (Decrease of 11%)
*Drug Offenses including the possession, sale, and manufacture saw a significant increase: 236 in 2020, and 328 in 2021 (Increase of 38%)
*Disorderly Conduct: 2020 24, 2021 20. (Decrease of 16%)
*An overall 14% increase in Part 1 and Part 2 Crimes with the increase in drug arrest having the most impact on that increase.
DUI- Driving Under the Influence Cases
2020 incidents were recorded at 67, with 2021 numbers or arrests at 85. (Increase of 26%)
*Total number of Arrest Warrants, Criminal Summons, and Emergency Protective Orders (EPO) Issued with Graves Co. Sheriff’s Office being the assigned agency to serve:
2021- 1,622
Total number of Arrest Warrants served by this agency:
2021- 872
(Other law enforcement agencies service numbers not available.)
Collision Data for the past year shows an overall decrease in the total number of collisions investigated by the Graves Sheriff’s Office.
Total Collisions for 2020 were 392, with 81 of those being injury accidents with 106 persons injured.
Total Collisions for 2021 were 366, with 82 of those being injury accidents injuring 152 persons. Four fatalities reported from traffic crashes in 2020 with 3 fatalities being investigated in 2021.
There was an overall decrease of -6% for the two-year comparison.
Contributing factors routinely noted in these traffic collisions were:
1) Driver Inattention
2) Not having vehicle under proper control
3) Driving to fast for traffic conditions (Wet, slick roads)
4) Not under proper control
*Alcohol was involved in 12 of the 366 collisions reported.
Summary of times of day most traffic crashes occurred in 2019:
Ranking number 1 was between the hours of 7AM to 8AM
Ranking number 2 was between the hours of 5PM to 6PM
498 traffic accidents investigated in 2018
457 traffic accidents investigated in 2019
392 traffic collisions investigated in 2020
366 traffic accidents investigated in 2021
(From 2018 to 2021, there has been an overall drop of 26% in the total number of traffic accidents investigated by the Graves County Sheriff’s office.
Note: It is important to note that these numbers and statistical data are for activity only involving the Graves County Sheriff’s Office and would not reflect on activity numbers for other law enforcement agencies within the same jurisdictional boundaries of Graves County.
We also feel that it is important to establish benchmarks so that crime trends and other data can be utilized for future strategic planning for the agency.
Lots of factors could have played a role in these numbers reported. Graves County endured a several months long pandemic, as well as the December 10, 2021 Tornado.
Thank you,
.JON HAYDEN
GRAVES COUNTY SHERIFF
