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Sheriff: ER visits up; office reports 1,388 complaints, urges more computer‑forensics capacity
Summary
Sheriff Heit told the committee February statistics showed increased ER visits; the office reported 1,388 complaints, 332 tickets and 164 arrests and highlighted a growing need for computer forensics to avoid investigative backlogs; Heit also introduced a mortgage‑scam door hanger for distribution.
Sheriff Heit reviewed the February operational report and told the Administration Committee the department is seeing an increase in emergency-room visits tied to incidents handled by deputies and noted two new Department of Corrections academy graduates have joined the force.
"The total number of complaints worked is 1,388 with 332 tickets issued and 164 arrests," Heit said, and Undersheriff Sanders outlined enforcement statistics and changes to how detective-bureau activity is summarized (the previously used graph was removed in favor of more detailed activity data).
Sanders and Heit flagged computer forensics as a growing operational need because rising cellphone evidence volumes can create backlogs that slow investigations. The committee was told the position is "vital" to prevent delays in criminal casework.
Operational staffing items included one Animal Control Officer out on long-term medical leave and a current part-time vacancy. Heit reported that Lt. Hopkins from the marine division has accepted a chief position with Berrien Springs/Oronoko police.
Heit also presented an emergency management report and unveiled a newly produced door hanger, developed with corporate counsel and the county printing department, that lists residents' rights and warns of mortgage-foreclosure scams for distribution to affected households.
