Public Safety

Drugs continue to be the motivating factor in the increase of property and violent crimes in the city, Galax Police Chief Rick Clark told Galax City Council on Feb. 13.
During 2011, the Galax Police Department recorded 1,375 crimes, compared to 1,242 in 2010 — a 10.7 percent increase.
“Many are using burglary to feed their drug habit,” said Clark.
The police department recorded 18,951 calls for service last year — an 18.7 percent increase from 15,965 in 2010.

HILLSVILLE — A 21-year-old Claudeville man has been charged with dealing drugs and 195 Oxycontin pills were seized after a Carroll County deputy initiated a traffic stop Feb. 9.
Carroll Sheriff J.B. Gardner said that Phillip Christopher Sias, a passenger in the vehicle, faces a charge of possessing schedule II drugs with the intent to distribute after the traffic stop near St. Paul Elementary School.

Officers with the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office have made several arrests in the past three weeks, for drug offenses, a weapons charge and larceny.
According to police reports, Richard Edward Newman, 41, and Christie Diane Glass, 32, of 309 Chestnut Lane in Fries, were arrested Jan. 4 after a search warrant was executed at their residence.
Both Newman and Glass were charged with distribution of marijuana to a juvenile and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.