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Belmont police report: more DWI arrests, higher seized currency, training hours up
Summary
Police Chief Corby Vols reported 2024 department data showing more DWI arrests, a rise in seized currency to about $2,000,001, increased citations and training hours, and modest shifts across crime categories; councilers asked clarifying questions about narcotics and traffic activity.
Belmont Police Chief Corby Vols presented the department's 2024 annual statistics, highlighting increased DWI arrests, a large increase in seized currency compared with 2023 and continued investment in in-house training.
Key figures and trends: Vols said the department's seized currency increased from roughly $1.32 million in a prior period to about $2,000,001.21 this year, though he noted the department does not keep all asset-forfeiture proceeds and shares funds based on investigative participation. Vols reported modest changes in crime categories: overall crimes against property declined from 767 to 683, robberies of businesses decreased from five to four and robberies of persons rose slightly. He also reported one traffic fatality in 2024 (down from two the previous year).
Training and operations: The department emphasized in-house training, reporting an increase in training hours (from the numbers in the record to 9,060 for the year) and growing the number of internal instructors to reduce outside training costs. Vols described specialized activity in vice/narcotics and K-9 units and explained that detectives collaborated with regional task forces, which affects where seizures and arrests originate and are recorded.
Why it matters: The report shows resources allocated to training and targeted narcotics enforcement; the seized-currency figure drew specific council attention, and staff cautioned that cash seizure totals are treated through asset-forfeiture procedures and only a portion is available to the department.
Follow-ups: Council members asked about locations and sources of seizures, K-9 activity and traffic-stop patterns; Vols and staff offered to follow up on specific questions.
