This chart from the sheriff’s annual report shows the number of Indexed, or serous crimes, reported to Central Dispatch in 2011. Crimes of larceny and breaking and entering increased in Sanilac County in 2011.

But reports of domestic violence, which have been on a steady rise the past couple years, decreased last year.

The statistics for crimes of all sorts, major and minor, are part of the sheriff department's annual report that will be released soon.

There were 355 reports of domestic violence reported to Sanilac County Central Dispatch in 2011. This compares to 491 in 2010.

"That's a big difference," said Sheriff Garry Biniecki.

Prior to last year, domestic violence had risen 70% over a three year period.

Biniecki said it's hard to put a finger on why the numbers went down, but he thinks intervention on the part of the police, before a civil dispute turns violent, may explain some of it.

"There's been a lot of push toward intervention, trying to get people into counseling, get them separated."

He said "They're (husband/ wife, boyfriend/girlfriend) doing what's been suggested, instead of escalating to domestic violence," Biniecki said.

And, Biniecki said the courts are ordering domestic violence offenders into counseling, which is a "huge plus in why these numbers are going down."

Biniecki points to the poor economy, and drug use, for the rise in larcenies and break-ins. Larcenies went from 450 in 2010 to 499 in 2011, while break-ins increased from 221 to 238.

"The economy is down, a lot of people out of work. I also think it's drug-related, people stealing stuff to support their habits. I think it's a little bit of 50-50."

Drug users are breaking into homes and businesses, "going to Detroit to exchange stolen property for drugs, allegedly," he said.

Beinieckii was referring to the recent arrests of Derrick Grifka, 19, of Snover, and Cody VanBlaricum, 21, of Sandusky, for allegedly stealing a dozen guns from a Wheatland Township workshop last December. Some of the guns were recovered from a Detroit residence last week, where authorities claim they had been traded for guns and or money.

Statistics for other "indexed" or major crimes in the county include: arson, 7 (2010), 2 (2011); assault, 213 (2010), 235 (2011); criminal sexual conduct, 29 (2010), 31 (2011); motor vehicle as stolen property, 2 (2010), 4 (2011); motor vehicle theft, 18 (2010),15 (2011); robbery, 2 each 2010-11.

Central Dispatch reports of "non-indexed" or minor crimes included: property damage-vandalism, 343 (2010), 322 (2011); family-child offenses/neglect, 101 (2010), 58 (2011); fraudulent activities, 189 (2010), 181 (2011); harassmentthreats, 405 (2010), 450 (2011); obstructing justice police, 305 (2010), 329 (2011); operating under influence of liquor or drugs, 98 (2010), 170 (2011).

As for which day of the week most crimes were reported to Central Dispatch in 2011, Saturday topped the list with 656 calls, followed by Friday with 500. The quietest day was Tuesday, with 410.

By the hour, the busiest time stretch for for Dispatch for crime calls started at around 8 a.m., peaked at 3 p.m., and slowly fell to the slowest period betwen 3 and 7 a.m.