The Wheeling Police Department released its 2022 crime statistics and noted a major improvement pertaining to drug overdoses and related deaths; however, several crime categories – specifically related to property crimes – increased over the last 12-month period.
Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger said the overall numbers reflect the impressive, hard work the men and women of the Wheeling Police Department put forth each day to protect and serve the city of Wheeling, especially in the areas of narcotic enforcement and drug overdose response.
For specific crime-related information, the data is divided into two areas – “Group A” offenses, which are more property crimes and crimes against persons and “Group B” offenses, which involve more nuisance, quality of life and highway safety/traffic offenses.
Despite a 6% increase in arrests, “Group A” offenses were up 13%. Several categories, including property crimes (burglary and thefts) and drug offenses rose. Groupings that saw decreases were weapon offenses and vandalism. “Group B” offenses were mostly unchanged from the prior year, with a slight decrease of 2%.
A category that saw the most significant increase in “Group A” were burglaries – up 61%. Those committing a burglary were mostly to vacant structures. Additionally, the criminals involved in these burglaries also were part of a theft or shoplifting incident which also saw a notable increase – 13%. Most thefts were bicycles, catalytic converters and outdoor items that were not secured or locked up, as well as copper and metal objects inside vacant structures.
Total calls for service were up 13%. This was primarily correlated with more officer-initiated activity, more nightly foot patrols, community policing and multiple selective enforcement operations that were conducted in 2022.
“I remain proud of the sworn and civilian staff of the Wheeling Police Department,” Chief Schwertfeger said. “The dedication displayed daily to assure the safety of our city is unprecedented. Wheeling continues to be a safe community, but our work continues, and we face many challenges. Staffing shortages, recidivism, illegal narcotics, vacant properties, and vagrancy remain some of our biggest hurdles. I am confident that with continued crafting of the problem-oriented policing philosophy and data-driven approach, we will double down on some of the crime trends presented in this report.”
A positive trend statistically throughout 2022 was the considerable drop in overdoses – down 22% – and overdose-related deaths – a category that decreased by 60%. This was due mostly to a significant amount of drug arrests and seizures of illegal narcotics by WPD and the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force. Additionally, more education, awareness and treatment continue to play a key role.
“I believe we are continuing to turn the corner on our opioid problem, but it is by far not over. Considering our drug overdoses and deaths are down a lot means the work WPD, along with our community partners indicates we are making progress,” said Chief Schwertfeger.
Group A INCREASED 13%
Categories that increased from the previous year
Traffic Enforcement
Crashes decreased 12% in 2022 thanks major roadway construction being completed, alleviating increased traffic on secondary roads. Traffic citations also were down 10%.
Drug Overdoses DECREASED 22%
Drug-related overdoses decreased for the second year in a row, thanks to more awareness, education and partnering with various agencies to help those suffering from addiction. For the first time in years, overdose deaths were down significantly. Drug overdoses reflect on various types of illegal narcotics, and not just one certain type of drug. Note: Overdose death numbers can change after annual statistics are released because of current pending cases with the state medical examiner’s office*
Overdose Deaths DECREASED 60%
