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LaPorte County sheriff reports rise in calls and crash reports, outlines equipment changes and community events
Summary
At the Nov. 12 LaPorte County Sheriff Merit Board meeting, the sheriff reported a 4% rise in calls for service and an 84% jump in crash reports from September to October, announced a new deputy attending the regional academy, detailed a handgun transition for safety, and promoted an annual Christmas show benefiting local scholarships and Toys for Tots.
The LaPorte County Sheriff Merit Board heard a detailed operational update on Nov. 12, 2025, as the sheriff reported higher call volumes and a marked increase in crash reports while outlining staffing, equipment and community outreach plans.
The sheriff told the board that total calls for service rose about 4%, from 2,220 in September to 2,312 in October, and that crash reports increased 84% (from 73 to 134). "We see this every fall," the sheriff said, attributing the spike in crashes — including deer-related collisions that rose from 21 in September to 54 in October — to harvest and hunting season. He also said traffic stops decreased 7%, from 895 in September to 832 in October.
The update included year-to-date figures: "As of today, we've taken 22,800 calls for the year," the sheriff said, compared with 21,919 for the same period in 2024, a roughly 4% increase year over year.
On staffing, the sheriff announced a newly hired deputy, Michael Matzke, will attend the Northern Indiana Law Enforcement Academy with a class that the sheriff said begins around Jan. 15. The promotional test for internal advancement was reiterated as Tuesday, Nov. 18.
The sheriff described equipment changes in response to safety concerns about the department's current duty handgun model and said the department has ordered a replacement model with new holsters and lights, expecting delivery at the end of the year or early next year.
Community outreach items included promotion of the sheriff's office Christmas show on Saturday, Dec. 13, at Kesling Middle School (doors at 9 a.m., show at 10 a.m.), with proceeds going to the Neil Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund and toy donations to Toys for Tots; Deputy Tim Short was identified as coordinating a donation box in the squad room.
The sheriff also noted department recognitions: he nominated Detective Derek Deck for the Michigan City Rotary Club's Deputy of the Year award, and read letters praising Detective Deck and Deputy Cory Chavez for their work with the Citizens Police Academy and student safety, respectively.
The sheriff cautioned residents to beware of scams asking for money via Bitcoin or gift cards and advised anyone who receives suspicious contact purporting to be from the sheriff's office to verify it first.
The meeting packet included the detective bureau, jail and warrants monthly reports, and the sheriff reminded the board a pension board meeting would follow the merit board meeting later that day.
