Batesville, In. — Ripley County prosecutor Ric Hertel presented his 2nd annual “State of the Streets” report in Batesville.
The report shows in 2013 there were 40 cases of domestic violence reported, compared to 74 reported in the first 10 months of 2017. In October of 2017 a deputy prosecutor, Ashlee Satterfield was added to the staff to handle domestic violence cases.
In 2013 Hertel says 125 drug-related cases were filed by his office compared to 204 so far this year. He says it is likely the number will double by the end of the year.
The report says methamphetamine lab investigations are down for 2017, but Indiana had more in 2016 than any other state in the country. At the same time, the Indiana State Police have tested more methamphetamine samples so far this year. Hertel says the increase is due to the introduction of crystal methamphetamine manufactured in “super labs” reportedly in Mexico.
Hertel says the increases could be attributed to more awareness, publicity or increased law enforcement presence, not necessarily more criminal incidents.
Hertel says the juvenile crime statistics are encouraging. In 2016 39 actions were filed against juvenile defendants. In 2017 that number is 17. Hertel cited a partnership and collaboration between his office, state & local police and schools as the driving factor for the decrease.
The Ripley County jail has a capacity of 99 inmates and has been regularly over that number. Hertel says the problem is mitigated by work release, home monitoring and modified punishments. However, a new facility could be needed in the future.
Batesville police chief Stan Holt, Indiana State Police detective Tom Baxter and Ripley County sheriff Jeff Cumberworth were honored for their contributions to public safety. The three officers have a combined experience of more than 90 years and have worked on many serious, high profile cases.
