How Many Arrests Were Made in North Andover Last Year?

Next week, thousands are expected to gather at to celebrate National Night Out and acknowledge police and public safety in town.

And it seems had a busy year last year.

According to the Annual Town Report, police made 396 arrests in 2011. They also issued 286 summonses and 67 warrants for arrest and took people into protective custody 19 times.

Here are a few of the highlights:

• The most common arrest? License violations -- 149 total arrests for that.
• Runner-up would be shoplifting. There were 138 arrests for shoplifting last year. Most of those happened at stores at the North Andover Mall.
• Assaults were frequent as well. There were 54b arrests for assault and battery on a household member, 24 for assault and battery, 13 for assault with a dangerous weapon and one for assault on a handicapped person.
• There were 28 arrests for possession of drugs (this includes seven charges of possession with intent to distribute).
• There were 36 arrests for breaking and entering.

Police also issued 2,953 citations in 2011. That includes 758 for speeding, 642 for inspection stickers and 448 for red light violations.

Police Chief Paul Gallagher joined us recently for a live chat in which he emphasized traffic safety and community involvement in keeping the community safe.

"... I would like to acknowledge the men and women of the North Andover Police Department who work hard every day to keep our community a safe place to live, work and visit," Gallagher said in his letter in the Town Report in February. "I am very proud to be your police chief. In the coming year we will be working hard to improve our community programs such as the student police academy, Neighborhood Crime Watch, National Night Out, the neighborhood alert system and our MyPD app available for the iPad and similar technologies. We appreciate residents’ input and suggestions and thank you for your continued support."