By Kathy Laird
Crawford County Prosecutor Matt Crall recently returned from the National District Attorney’s Association Seminar in Washington D.C.
Ohio Senator Rob Portman was among the speakers at the seminar. Portman, known for supporting the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act established in 2015 and enacted by President Obama, talked about incentives and strategies needed for a comprehensive approach to addiction.
CARA legislation builds on proven methods to enable law enforcement to respond to the heroin epidemic and supports long-term recovery by connecting prevention and education efforts with treatment programs. However, Portman said he realizes that tough enforcement can also be effective. He then noted that law enforcement, prosecutors and judges are doing fine work in Crawford County, Ohio to reduce drug-related crime.
Recent statistics are proving Portman’s observation. In the years since Crawford County Common Pleas Judge Sean Leuthold was elected on the promise to clean up drugs in Crawford County, numbers show that drug related crime has been drastically reduced. According to new data just released, drug related crime is down all across Crawford County. The statistics cover the period of 2014-2017. Leuthold took the bench in 2015.
In Bucyrus, results were compiled by Bucyrus Police Chief David Koepke and showed that total burglaries in Bucyrus decreased by 53 percent, break-ins by 43 percent, thefts by 34 percent and robberies by 60 percent for a total reduction in drug-related crime in the city of Bucyrus of 38 percent.
In Galion, results were compiled by Galion City Police Chief Brian Saterfield and showed an even greater drop in drug-related crime. Burglaries were down by 58 percent, break-ins by 57 percent, thefts by 48 percent and robberies by 100 percent for a total reduction in drug-related crime in the city of Galion of 50 percent.
In Crestline, results were compiled by Crestline City Police Chief Joseph Butler and reflected the biggest drop of all in drug-related crime. Burglaries were down by 53 percent, break-ins were down by 53 percent, thefts were down by 60 percent and there was no change in the status of robberies, both at only one, making the total drop in drug related crime for the city of Crestline 58 percent.
Crawford County Sheriff Scott Kent compiled results for the county. According to Kent, burglaries and break-ins are down 63 percent since 2014, thefts down by 50 percent, and no drug-related robberies took place in either 2014 or 2017. The drug-related crime for Crawford County is down a total of 53 percent.
When asked about Portman’s observation, Leuthold said, “I am very pleased that Mr. Portman recognizes the success we are enjoying in Crawford County.
Compassion, education and treatment are very important. But without accountability and a willingness to punish those who deserve it, success cannot be achieved.”
When asked how he felt about the recognition, Crall added, “I think it’s very important that the federal government realizes they have a part in this. Heroin and fentanyl do not grow in Crawford County they are brought in here. It’s important to stop the flow of drugs and that’s where the federal government can help.”