Case Explained: Berkeley County Sheriff Lewis pledges transparency as agency releases 2025 crime report – Legal Perspective

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCIV) — The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office released its annual crime report Tuesday, detailing areas of success for the law enforcement agency within one of the Lowcountry’s fastest-growing counties.

“We believe transparency, accountability, and open communication are essential to maintaining a strong and effective partnership between law enforcement and the community we serve,” Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis said in a letter to citizens.

The report touted the agency’s accomplishments in community policing, drug enforcement and the expansion of community-relations programs. However, it also provided insight into where the sheriff’s office is still looking to improve.

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County-wide, with a population of 272,732, the sheriff’s office responded to 107,619 calls for service, resulting in 1,880 arrests. When put into context, roughly 1 in 144 residents was arrested in 2025 and approximately 295 calls came in per day.

When looking at trends from the 2024 report compared to the 2025 report, calls for service are up 2.7% percent. That indicates steady growth, not a spike, which remains consistent with population growth pressures.

Traffic enforcement activity rose sharply in 2025. The agency’s traffic unit issued 12% more citations than the previous year and investigated 26% more collisions. Deputies made 90 DUI arrests in 2025, with the traffic unit accounting for 80 of those cases.

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Drug enforcement trends showed methamphetamine remained the most commonly seized narcotic. Agents confiscated 778 grams of methamphetamine in 2025, along with 540 grams of cocaine and 375 grams of fentanyl. Seizure totals were comparable to the previous year, indicating no major shift in the county’s primary drug threats.

For drug enforcement, agents made 73 arrests and issued 172 arrest warrants.

The detention center recorded 1,925 mental health visits in fiscal year 2025, down from 2,148 the year before. Psychiatrist visits dropped from 1,022 to 703 over the same period.

Overall, the report indicatesa modest increase in service demands and traffic enforcement activity, while arrest totals remained relatively stable year over year.

The full report can be read below.