The Wheeling Police Department is pleased to share its annual crime statistics for 2021. Overall, the data collected over the last year indicates slight improvements in certain categories, including the ongoing battle with illegal drug usage and other violent crimes.
Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger said he is very happy with the current trends in the numbers captured the last 12 months and said the City of Wheeling remains a very safe area to live.
“The residents and visitors to our city should be extremely proud of the Wheeling Police Department’s officers and civilian staff,” said Schwertfeger. “Despite year-long staffing issues with COVID-related illnesses and delays in hiring, we carried on our mission to enhance the quality of life in and around Wheeling.”
Total calls for service were up 5%, the first increase in years. This is mainly due a more normalized year that saw increased traffic volume on area roadways, more officer-initiated calls, special policing operations and the return of community activities, festivals, and events.
The most noted improvement throughout 2021 was less drug-related overdoses, a decrease of 9% from the previous year, and the first noticeable reduction in roughly five years. “It is possible we are turning a corner on the hundreds of overdoses we respond to yearly,” said Chief Schwertfeger. “Thanks to the continued partnership with organizations like Serenity Hills Life Center, investigations with our Drug Task Force and more education and treatment, we hope the trend continues downward.”
For specific crime-related information, the data is divided into two areas – “Group A” offenses, which are generally more serious (homicide, robbery, sex crimes), and “Group B” offenses, which involve more nuisance, quality of life, property crimes and highway safety/traffic offenses.
“Group A” offenses (more serious crimes) went down 5%. Most areas, including assaults, burglary, robbery, vandalism, thefts and sexual related crimes dropped. Categories that saw increases were drug offenses, fraudulent-related crimes/schemes, and child pornography cases.
“Group B” offenses (less serious crimes) were up roughly 10%. The fluctuation in numbers from the year prior is believed to be caused by a heavier focus on more nuisance related crimes, which in turn leads to lower “Group A”/serious crimes being committed.
