Second of four parts

Reports of crime in Salisbury Township appear to be on the increase.

Criminal investigation activity was up in most major categories in 2016 compared to 2015, based on an informal analysis by The Press of statistics provided by the Salisbury Township Police Department.

In the category of burglary, there were 44 incidents reported in 2016, up from 26 in 2015.

In the category of theft, there were 202 incidents reported in 2016, up from 160 in 2015.

Salisbury Township Chief of Police Allen W. Stiles released the annual year in review report to commissioners and the media.

Sgt. Donald Sabo is township criminal investigation supervisor. The township detective is Kevin Kress.

Auto theft was also up, to 13 incidents reported in 2016, compared to five in 2015.

Also up was robbery with five reported in 2016, compared to three in 2015.

Assault decreased slightly, with 21 incidents reported in 2016, compared to 23 in 2015.

Sexual assault also decreased, with two reported in 2016, compared to eight in 2015.

Arson decreased, with none reported in 2016 and one reported in 2015.

Drug arrests increased to 25 reported in 2016, up from 18 in 2015.

No homicides were reported in 2016 or 2015.

Also reported in 2016: fraud, 22; criminal mischief, 62 and disorderly conduct, 47. These categories were not listed in the 2015 report.

Offenses listed under the Uniform Crime Report totaled 443 reported in 2016, up from 244 in 2015.

Under the category of persons charged, 398 adults were charged in 2016, up from 279 in 2015.

There were 90 juveniles charged in 2016, up from 73 in 2015.

The value of property stolen was $499,611 in 2016, up significantly from $181,229 in 2015.

The value of property recovered was $115,147 in 2016, an increase from $54,217 in 2015.

The township police department traffic safety and enforcement also saw increases, under the direction of Cpl. Bryan Losagio, traffic safety coordinator.

In the category of aggressive driving enforcement, there were 326 vehicle stops and 437 traffic citations in 2016, an increase from 233 vehicle stops and 260 traffic citations in 2015.

Under the Buckle Up Pa project, there were 221 vehicle stops and 300 traffic citations in 2016, up from 124 vehicle stops and 135 traffic citations in 2015.

Under Buckle Up Pa. Child Safety Seat Awareness, 674 motorists were contacted in 2016. This category was not listed in the 2015 report.

Under DUI enforcement roving patrols and check points, there were 15 vehicle stops, 14 DUI arrests, 14 traffic citations and two drug arrests in 2016, compared to 15 vehicle stops, one DUI arrest and six traffic citations in 2015.

Under the Lehigh County Casino Grant, there were 242 vehicle stops, 353 traffic citations and seven arrests in 2016, compared to 275 vehicle stops, 283 traffic citations and four non-traffic arrests in 2015.

Also, according to the 2016 report, traffic stops in the Casino Traffic Safety Corridor, defined as East Susquehanna Street, East Emmaus Avenue and Broadway, resulted in arrests for possession of controlled substances, using altered or fraudulent state documents, three DUIs, felony fleeing police, possession of alcohol by a minor, depositing debris on a highway and apprehending a wanted fugitive.

In all, there were 804 vehicle stops, 1,104 traffic citations, 14 DUIs and four non-traffic arrests in 2016, compared to 647 vehicle stops, 684 traffic citations, one DUI and four non-traffic arrests in 2015.

Next week: Part 3, Salisbury Township Police Department 2016 Annual Report, budget and grants.