The Forum has analyzed crime trends, specifically for data provided by the Montrose County Sheriff's Office for 2022-25. The data shows total incidents by the agency and focuses on the West End of Montrose County.
Total reported incidents for 2022 was 2,920. In looking at what might be considered “violent” or “serious” crimes reported, 19 of those were assaults, nine were for burglary, six were for hard drugs (amphetamines, hallucinogens, heroin), one was for domestic violence, 27 were for harassment, 11 were different juvenile problems, eight were for sexual assault or sex offenses and 46 were for theft.
For 2023, total reported incidents were 2,839. Comparable data shows 21 assaults, eight burglaries, three hard drug cases, one domestic violence issue, 25 harassments, 18 juvenile issues, seven sexual offenses and 46 thefts.
For 2024, total reported incidents were 3,264. Comparable data shows 17 assaults, one burglary, two hard drug cases, three domestic violence issues, 20 harassments, seven juvenile issues, 10 sex offenses and 26 thefts.
For 2025, though the year is not over, total reported incidents are now 3,121, as of press time. Comparable data shows there are nine assaults, three burglaries, three hard drug offenses, one domestic violence case, 16 harassments, nine juvenile problems, seven sex offenses and 22 thefts.
It should be noted that the sheriff’s office receives a variety of calls. Some of them include roosters crowing, alarms going off, traffic hazards, suspicious looking people, abandoned vehicles and overdue parties.
For 2022-25 data, disturbing the peace is a highly reported call: 20 reports in 2022; 72 in 2023; 14 in 2024; and 45 so far in 2025. Various animal problems are also highly reported: 74 in 2022; 65 in 2023; 42 in 2024; and in 2025 so far it’s 27.
The West End sees many calls, 80-100 annually the last few years, for “civil process,” which Schmalz said is “papers served by us, such as court subpoenas, evictions and other documents. Civil paper service is one of the statutory requirements the sheriff has to do.” Additionally, ambulance and medical assists, all well as just the reporting of information and welfare checks, are also in that range or much more.
The Forum does not see evidence that serious crime is increasing in the West End for the years 2022-25. West End Commander Bruce Schmalz said he agreed; crime does not appear to be on the rise.
While the data shows the number of reports and what they were for, the Forum asked Schmalz about the idea that some might not be reporting crime for whatever reason.
“I am sure there are many criminal actions that are not reported to law enforcement,” he said. “Not reporting to law enforcement has always been an issue, people talk to one another about crimes, and we never hear about it. I have always spoken in public meetings about the importance of reporting. It is the only way law enforcement can help.”
Schmalz said he believes in the quote “The police are the public, and the public are the police,” words by Sir Robert Peel, a British conservative Prime Minister of the 1800s.
“Law enforcement can’t perform their function without the citizens,” Schmalz said. “Peel believed it was every citizen’s duty to protect the interests of the community welfare, and the police are just paid members of the public who give full time attention to those duties.”
