The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office has released its preliminary data for 2024, and the numbers show a mix of good and bad news for the community. On the bright side, crime has gone down significantly in several areas, but traffic safety remains a big concern, especially when it comes to alcohol-related crashes.
Sheriff Ronald Heeg shared his thoughts on the report, saying, “We’re very pleased to see a drop in violent crimes and major cases. Fewer burglaries, thefts, and assaults mean a safer La Porte County. But we’re still worried about the rise in traffic incidents, particularly those involving alcohol.”
According to the report, deputies responded to 25,718 calls for service in 2024, which is nine percent fewer than the 28,199 calls in 2023. This decline suggests that overall crime and emergencies may be decreasing.
One of the biggest takeaways from the report is the 22 percent drop in violent crimes. Deputies investigated 189 violent crimes in 2024, compared to 242 in 2023. Additionally, major cases—such as serious felonies—also decreased by 27 percent, with 376 cases investigated in 2024 versus 513 in 2023.
Arrests were also down. Deputies arrested 2,712 people in 2024, which is an 18 percent decrease compared to the previous year. The La Porte County Jail booked 4,158 people last year, slightly less than the 4,428 people booked in 2023. The jail housed an average of 372 inmates per day, and its contracted food service company prepared 460,738 meals throughout the year.
But while crime is trending downward, the roads in La Porte County have become more dangerous. The biggest red flag in the report is the 136 percent spike in alcohol-related crashes. In 2023, there were 22 such crashes, but in 2024, that number jumped to 52.
Sheriff Heeg expressed serious concern about this trend. “We’re extremely worried about the increase in alcohol-related crashes. Our deputies will continue aggressive traffic enforcement to keep our roads safe.”
Overall, 1,050 crashes were investigated in La Porte County in 2024. The highest number of accidents happened on Fridays (179 crashes), and Coolspring Township had the most accidents (176 crashes). Unfortunately, 17 people lost their lives in crashes in 2024, which is a 31 percent increase from 2023.
The sheriff’s office also worked hard on processing and serving arrest warrants. The Warrants Division received 1,111 new arrest warrants last year and served 1,135 warrants.
Sheriff Heeg emphasized the importance of transparency and keeping the public informed. He assured residents that the full annual report, including details from the Jail Division, will be available on the department’s website once it’s completed.
“We are committed to improving public safety for everyone in La Porte County,” Heeg said. “We want to make sure this remains a great place to live, work, and visit.”
