By John Howell
Batesville police wrote over 200 tickets during March, including 55 for speeding, according to the department’s monthly report to the mayor and aldermen.
“Instead of people calling me and complaining about writing tickets, they’re glad that you’re writing tickets because it’s making a difference,” Mayor Jerry Autrey said, speaking to Batesville Deputy Police Chief Jimmy McCloud during Tuesday’s meeting of city officials.
Tickets were also issued for other violations in quantities as follow: no proof of liability insurance, 34; driving with suspended license, 29;  no driver’s license, 26; improper equipment, 14; no seat belt in use, 12; nine for expired tag, six for no child restraint, six for running stop sign, four for careless driving, three for no tag, two for improper turn and one each for an assortment of other violations.
“We’re trying to be proactive,” McCloud said.
Officers arrested 72 adults and 10 juveniles for a variety of felony and misdemeanor offenses, the report states. Call for BPD officers during March also included investigations into 37 vehicle accidents including 11 with injuries. They escorted four funerals and unlocked 181 vehicles.
Possession of a controlled substance accounted for five of the 18 arrests for felony violations. Burglary and breaking and entering charges accounted for three arrests, and false pretenses and grand larceny for two each.
Possession of marijuana, first offense accounted for 12 of the 66 misdemeanor arrests, domestic violence, first offense, for seven, possession of marijuana in a vehicle for six, open alcohol container and trespassing for five each, public drunk for four, possession of paraphernalia, shoplifting and failure to obey officer for three arrest each. Two people were arrested for DUI first offense and two for simple assault.