EPHRATA — In an effort to increase proactive law enforcement, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office established a Crime Reduction Team, which has been effective since its inception in 2024, according to Sheriff Joey Kriete. The CRT, led by Supervisor Sgt. Jason Ball, alongside Deputies Ben Smithson and Adam Davis, was created to tackle rural thefts and other crime issues affecting Grant County residents. 

Kriete explained the reason behind establishing the CRT.  

"When we first started planning, we identified a significant gap in our proactive enforcement efforts — a middle ground between our first-line deputies responding to daily calls and our Major Crimes Unit and drug task force,” Kriete said. “We had a pressing need for a dedicated unit to focus on crimes impacting our community members day-to-day." 

Kriete said the need for the team was urgent, noting that the rural farming community had been particularly hard-hit by thefts.  

“These crimes not only disrupt lives but also significantly affect the livelihoods of our residents who depend on farming," he said. 

With the team officially launched in July 2024, Kriete said there were immediate changes in crime patterns countywide, attributing much of the improvement to targeted efforts in key areas.  

“Our initial hot spots were in rural communities such as Quincy and Mattawa. After our proactive approach, we not only saw a shift in those crime hotspots but also an overall significant reduction in various crimes throughout the county," Kriete said. 

GCSO statistics reflect this positive trend. In the year following the establishment of the CRT, data revealed a drastic drop in several crime categories. Attempted thefts plummeted 68%; residential burglaries 42% and theft of fuel saw a decline of 65%.  

“These are numbers that represent hundreds of victims who didn’t experience any loss this year, which has been great," Kriete said. “Anytime we can reduce the amount of loss people are impacted by, that's a win for us.”  

He said measures like these not only indicate the success of their efforts but also contribute to enhanced peace of mind among Grant County citizens.  

Kriete said having the CRT resolve cases shows offenders that someone is paying attention and that there will be consequences to those mid-level crimes the team is focused on. While it is possible that arresting repeat offenders is also a factor, GCSO needs additional data and time to know for sure that is the case. 

The CRT has excelled in dealing with theft and burglary cases and has also assisted with narcotics investigations. Kriete said he was proud of the team’s versatility.  

"They’ve become a multi-faceted unit addressing higher crimes in Grant County, but they also lend support to other units within our sheriff’s office and collaborate with municipal agencies,” he said.  

The increased partnership with the community has played a critical role in the CRT's success. Kriete noted that community feedback has improved significantly.  

"We've encouraged our residents to reach out if they have information about crimes or if they've been victims themselves," he said. "The community has become more responsive, leading to better collaboration. This enhanced communication is fueling our collective efforts." 

Kriete said the team has a solid foundation, a year and a half into its existence and expressed optimism for the future expansion of the unit. 

"As of now, the team consists of a sergeant and two deputies,” he said. “We aim to grow this unit to five members, which will allow us to cover more ground in our vast county and specialize in various crime aspects. This will ultimately enhance our ability to tackle both property crimes and mid-level narcotics investigations more effectively." 

Among the team's standout accomplishments since its launch, Kriete pointed to a notable case involving the recovery of crucial life-saving equipment. Grant County Fire District 5 was burglarized in August. A couple of months later, CRT officers recovered a $20,000 Jaws of Life tool.  

The GCFD 5 case is still under investigation, with no arrests made as of yet, according to GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman.  

"This was a perfect example of how partnerships across agencies can lead to meaningful outcomes. We were able to recover equipment essential for saving lives, demonstrating that our work has a real impact on the community," Kriete said. 

The success of the CRT could signify a shift in modern law enforcement practices, according to Kriete.  

"The effectiveness of this team adds tremendous value. It's not solely about the sheriff's office; it reflects an integrated approach to policing where we partner with local agencies and communities to address overlaps in crime. Law enforcement doesn’t recognize city or county boundaries when it comes to criminal activity," he said. 

Overall, Kriete remains enthusiastic about the future and the potential for enhanced partnerships.  

"Continuing to work closely with both our staff and community will help ensure Grant County remains a safer place for all," he said.  

    Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete established the Crime Reduction Team, which focuses on investigating smaller crimes such as rural thefts. The unit, established in the summer of 2024, has helped decrease theft statistics throughout Grant County.