Mandan police 2023 report shows rise in traffic enforcement, assaults compared to 2022
The Mandan Police Department experienced an increase in traffic enforcement and responded to more assault offenses last year compared to 2022.
Traffic enforcement in the city significantly rose from the previous year, showing a 39% increase, according to the Mandan Police Department 2023 Annual Statistical Report . The largest rise was in the offense category titled "Other Traffic," with 2,216 cases - an increase of over 1,000 cases compared to 2022. This category had 237 cases in 2020 and 274 in 2021.
A note at the bottom of the traffic enforcement page said 2020-21 citations were down because of COVID-19 and last year's number was down because of manpower issues.
Of the 14 types of offenses listed on the police report's traffic enforcement page, all but four offenses were down. Traffic offenses that saw increases include other traffic, written warnings, stop sign/red light violations and DUI/refusal. However, offenses that experienced a decrease include no registration, exhibition driving, open container and driving under suspension.
Other traffic offenses include all citations that are not specifically listed on the offense list, Police Chief Jason Ziegler told the Tribune. Some examples include window tint, passing school bus and failing to use headlights, as well as crosswalk, equipment and turning violations.
There were at least 561 assault offenses, a 19% increase from the previous year, and the highest amount of such offenses since at least 2020, according to the report.
"Previous years had shown a fluctuation in this offense. These cases do not include domestic violence. In most cases, the victim and suspect do know each other or have had some type of acquaintance prior to the event, but the incident does not qualify as a domestic relationship," the report stated.
Other findings
Officers also responded to more calls for service last year than in 2022, leading to an increase in case reports generated. However, the year-to-year rise in both categories was only 1%.
The annual report details incident totals, as well as increases and decreases across various offense categories. Ziegler noted that the statistical data meets federal reporting requirements and that fluctuations in year-to-year totals are not uncommon.
Mandan police generated 2,229 reports for the most serious, or Group A, offenses in 2023, according to the report. This total is an increase from 2,218 in 2022 but lower than the four-year high of 2,373 reported in 2019.
Although over all Group A offenses were up, the report did note a slight decrease among some of those types of offenses, with drug-narcotic offenses decreasing by 22% in 2023 compared to 2022. Also showing declines were incidents of burglary-breaking and entering, vandalism-criminal mischief and motor vehicle theft, which decreased by 19% from 2022 totals. Additionally, sex offenses declined, with 41 incidents reported in 2023, down from 54 in 2022.
In the area of lesser offenses, or Group B, the report stated that Mandan police saw increases in driving under the influence, drunkenness, trespassing and disorderly conduct. However, incidents of nonviolent family offenses fell by 35%, with 91 reported in 2023 compared to 123 in 2022.
Nonviolent family offenses are actions by a family member or legal guardian that threaten the physical, mental, economic or moral well-being of another family member. These offenses do not include crimes such as assault, rape, statutory rape or incest.
In addition to responding to reports of criminal offenses, Mandan police support city code enforcement by upholding city ordinances, including animal control, and are mandated to enforce parking and traffic laws.
Calls for code enforcement assistance regarding issues such as overgrown grass, nuisance properties, and illegally parked vehicles and trailers in residential areas declined in 2023. However, parking citations increased from 1,219 in 2022 to 1,300 in 2023.
"After reviewing the 2023 Annual Statistical Report, reported Group A offenses were up less than 1%, Group B offenses were up 6% and Calls for Service (CFS) were up by about 1%," Ziegler said in a letter written in the report.
"The fluctuation from year-to-year is not uncommon and will continue as social and economic change continues within the city," he said. "It is important that citizens and the police continue to stabilize this trend as our community grows."
Reach Brad Nygaard at 701-250-8260 or
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