Report: Domestic violence, assaults up in 2012

Domestic violence calls and assaults were up in Orland in 2012, and auto thefts down.

These were just some of the statistics mentioned by Orland police Chief J.C. Tolle on Tuesday in an annual report presented to the City Council.

Tolle gave an overview of crime tallies and activities his department performed last year, which included that the city had no homicides, manslaughter cases or any reported rapes.

He also said the department is in need of new facilities and equipment, including a locker room with showers, a new interview room, better perimeter cameras, a secure parking lot and equipment such as body-worn cameras and stop sticks that deflate tires.

He’d also like a full-time detective, a drug enforcement officer and some reserve officers on the force.

The list is, of course, subject to funding.

Officers responded to 3,939 service calls in 2012, down from 4,200 in 2011.

He noted officers responded to 136 domestic violence calls during 2012 compared to 121 calls in 2011.

Tolle theorized the upswing was caused by financial stress in this economy and more referrals by Glenn County social workers and victim advocates, he said.
Stolen vehicles dropped from the 40s the last two years to 37 in 2012.

Most Orland vehicle thieves are locals who take cars for transportation to Chico or Willows, Tolle said. The cars are usually found across the river. Some may also be used to transport drugs or to commit crimes.

Assaults also were up last year from 89 in 2011 to 116 in 2012 largely due to alcohol-related fights.

Home and vehicle burglaries totaled 64 in 2012, which has been the average the past three years, he said.

Tolle also compared Orland’s crime numbers with those of Willows and found Willows had 183 domestic violence calls and 82 car or residential burglaries.

Willows, however, had had fewer stolen autos with only 18 reported, and fewer assaults with 87, said Tolle citing information provided by Willows police Chief Jason Dahl.
Orland police officers arrested 393 people who were booked into the Glenn County Jail in Willows. Tolle said.

They also made 300 misdemeanor arrests, 149 for felonies and 90 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in 2012.

A total of 449 arrests were made in 2012 that included both adults and juveniles.

He said 98 juveniles were arrested last year with 34 booked in the juvenile hall. There were 53 misdemeanors and 32 juvenile felony arrests with the rest being things like curfew violations and minor infractions.

Many are “kids running amok,” Tolle said, vandalizing property and starting fires as repeat offenders.

The department has a staff of eight officers, including Tolle, with two officers in training that will bring it up to 10. There also are two office staff members. Most employees have been there for five years or more with Officer Kalen Hagins having been on the job just two months.

Tolle showed videos and slides of numerous training sessions his officers did last year, including target practice at the range, fake vehicle stops, Taser training and others with surrounding law enforcement agencies.

He praised the 18-member Volunteers in Police Service or VIPS for their help in traffic control and other activities at the Glenn County Fair, farmers market, DUI checkpoints and so on.

Orland’s K-9, Rakker, assisted in various narcotics or suspect searches last year and aided in the surrenders of three felony suspects, although he has never bitten anybody.

Tolle also touched on use of force by officers noting hand action was used in nine incidents that included three domestic violence, three alcohol, one assault and two other cases. A baton was displayed twice, but not used, and a Taser was used in one assault case.

“Orland has the same problems as Chico and Redding,” Tolle said, explaining his officers regularly confiscate drugs or guns from cars during traffic stops along Highway 32 or Orland’s streets.

Marijuana and methamphetamine are oftent seized in such stops, along with some handguns.

The department performs community service as well by doing child safety seat inspections, visiting local schools and doing charity fundraisers such as Toys for Tots.