Reports of offenses in Salisbury Township in 2018 appear to have declined again in a year-to-year comparison in the Uniform Crime Report.

Offenses listed under the Uniform Crime Report totaled 365 in 2018, down from 458 in 2017, down from 443 in 2016 and up from 244 in 2015.

Criminal investigation activity was stable in most major categories in 2018, compared to 2017.

By category, burglary reports decreased by nearly two-thirds.

There were also decreases in theft, auto theft, assault, sexual assault, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

Reports of robbery, arson and homicide increased slightly.

Reports of drug arrests and fraud increased measurably.

There were significantly fewer adults and juveniles charged in 2018.

The value of property stolen decreased dramatically in 2018, as did the value of property recovered in 2018.

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

Sgt. Donald Sabo Jr. is the Salisbury Police Department Criminal Investigation Commander. Salisbury Township Police Department Detectives are Kevin Kress and Chris Casey.

In the category of burglary, there were 15 reported in 2018, down from 39 in 2017, down from 44 reported in 2016 and down from 26 in 2015.

In theft, there were 133 reported in 2018, down from 166 in 2017, down from 202 in 2016 and down from 160 in 2015.

In auto theft, there were six reported in 2018, down from nine in 2017, down from 13 in 2016 and up from five in 2015.

In robbery, there were three reported in 2018, up from two in 2017, down from five in 2016 and unchanged from three in 2015.

In assault, there were 25 reported in 2018, down from 27 in 2017, up from 21 in 2016 and up from 23 in 2015.

In sexual assault, there were six reported in 2018, down from 17 in 2017, up from two in 2016, and down from eight in 2015.

In arson, there was one reported in 2018, up from none reported in 2017, and up from none in 2016 and unchanged from one reported in 2015.

In drug arrests, there were 67 reported in 2018, up from 54 in 2017, and up from 25 in 2016 and 18 in 2015.

In fraud, there were 36 reported in 2018, up from 24 in 2017 and 22 in 2016. The category was not listed in the 2015 police report.

In criminal mischief, there were 38 in 2018, down from 59 in 2017 and 62 in 2016. The category was not listed in the 2015 police report.

In disorderly conduct, there were 34 in 2018, down from 61 in 2017 and 47 in 2016. The category was not listed in the 2015 police report.

In homicide, there was one reported in 2018, which was a homicide by vehicle in a DUI crash. No homicides were reported in 2017, 2016 and 2015.

In the category of persons charged, 235 adults were charged in 2018, down from 348 adults charged in 2017, down from 398 adults charged in 2016, and down from 279 adults charged in 2015.

There were 43 juveniles charged in 2018, down from 96 juveniles charged in 2017, down from 90 juveniles charged in 2016 and down from 73 juveniles charged in 2015.

The value of property stolen was $142,036 in 2018, down from $496,744 in 2017, down from $499,611 in 2016, and down from $181,229 in 2015.

The value of property recovered was $16,932 in 2018, down from $124,719 in 2017, down from $115,147 in 2016 and down from $54,217 in 2015.

The School Resource Officer report for the 2017-2018 school year by Senior Patrol Officer Richard Nothstein listed 283 calls for service.

Arrests totaled 34, including: criminal mischief, two; disorderly conduct, 13; theft, five; truancy, five; cyber-harrassment, one; drugs, four; threats, one, and weapons, three.

Programs and events totaled 103, including open house, sports events, parade, dances, prom, graduation, K-9 demonstration and driving simulator.

Next week: Part 3, Salisbury Township Police Department 2018 Annual Report: Grants and training.