Ludington saw slight increase in some crimes in 2017.

Ludington saw slight increase in some crimes in 2017.

#LudingtonNews.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

LUDINGTON — Crime in the City of Ludington was up slightly in 2017 compared to 2016, according to Ludington Police Chief Mark Barnett in his annual report to the City Council. The number of person crimes were up by one, while property crimes increased by 12. However, public order crimes decreased by 12.

The city’s police department responded to 41 traffic crashes and arrested 32 people for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, an increase of eight compared to 2016, the number includes alcohol and illegal substances.

Some incidents of note included:

– Narcan (Naloxone) saves. The department responded to 11 separate incidents in which officers administered Narcan to victims of opiate overdose. It was effective in bringing nine of the 11 victims out of the overdoses. The remaining two died.

Child pornography investigation. Officers from LPD responded to a complaint by a person that an underaged person under the person’s care had taken pornographic self-portaits. Officers took the report and conducted a follow-up investigation, which lead to three suspects located in Illinois, Nova Scotia, Canada, and Queensland, Australia. Contact was made with law enforcement agencies in each of those places. Currently a case is going to trial in Australia.

Overdose death. In March of 2017, LPD responded to the 200 block of North Harrison Street on an unconscious male subject. After many attempts to revive the victim, including Narcan, the victim was pronounced dead. A follow-up investigation revealed that the victim had suffered a fatal overdose of opiates and the individual suspected to have provided the substance was charged with delivery of a controlled substance. The suspect pled guilty and was sentenced to one year in jail with 90 days served up front. Read related story here.

Embezzlement. An area organization reported the theft of funds. A followup investigation confirmed the theft and identified the person responsible. A short time later the investigator was advised of the death of the suspect and the case was closed.

Campground larcenies. In July, LPD and Mason County Sheriff’s Office received several reports of stolen high-end bicycles and other items from Cartier Campground and Ludington State Park. An investigation led to the recovery of five of the six stolen items and the identification of a suspect. The cases are pending.

Barnett will present his complete report at the City Council meeting tonight, 6:30 p.m., at City Hall, 400 S. Harrison St.

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