Are crimes skyrocketing in Batesville?

After months of very low numbers of arrests (January, 26; February, 19; March, 30), they surged in April and May to 110 and 173, respectively.

Police Chief Stan Holt said the recent high numbers are due to a statewide enforcement blitz called Operation Pullover. The Batesville Police Department received a grant from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and Governor’s Council on Impaired and Dangerous Driving that provided funds to pay officers overtime at the ends of their shifts or days off. “The main focus was seat belt violators.”

About 76 percent of citizens arrested in May (132) was due to not buckling up.

Was Holt surprised at how many persons ignored their seat belts? “Yes, I really was,” he answered. “The law (stating persons in trucks also must buckle up) has been in effect for several years. Citizens get a little bit complacent, with the mindset ‘I’m just going to drive a couple blocks.’ That’s all it takes to be involved in a serious accident, somebody not paying attention” and running a stop sign.

Citizens who are stopped for not wearing belts sometimes argue, “It should be my choice,” but the chief pointed out, “Really, it’s going to save their life if they are involved in an accident.”

Holt maintained, “It’s worth spending the money (on police overtime) so the roads in Indiana are safer.” He observed during his 17 years in law enforcement, “I’ve been to several accidents where seat belts have saved lives.”

The maximum fine for a seat belt violation, a Class D infraction, is $25 with no court costs, reported Batesville City Court Clerk Debbie Krause. Holt said persons who have been arrested may contest the amount in court, pay the fine there or mail it. The money collected goes to the state, according to Krause.

What was the breakdown for other offenses last month? Driving while suspended, nine; speeding, seven; expired license plate, seven; minor in possession of tobacco, four; expired license, three; unrestrained child, two; minor consumption, two; operating while intoxicated, two; disregarding stop sign, two; no insurance, one; failure to yield, one; driver never licensed, one.

In May, 130 offenders were male and 43 were female. Broken down by age, 13 were juveniles, 57 were 18-29, 88 were 30-60 and 15 were 61 and over.

When asked to comment on the arrests, the chief noted, “They’re all serious offenses. Myself, personally, I don’t like to see” unrestrained children. “A child doesn’t realize what ... (the seat belt) is for.” If it is not fastened or a carseat is not used, “the parent is placing that child in a dangerous situation.”

He also considers the charge of operating while intoxicated to be perilous. “Not only are you putting yourself at risk, but you’re putting families traveling down the road at risk.”

Debbie Blank can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 113; or debbie.blank@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com.