The Farmville Police Department released its 2017 State of the Department annual report Monday, which details activity by the department over the year and assesses crime rates. “In response to the alarming numbers associated with the national opioid overdose epidemic, our officers are receiving training to administer Narcan (naloxone),” said Farmville Police Chief A.Q. “Andy” Ellington in the report. “Narcan is a prescription medicine that blocks the effects of opioids and reverses an overdose.”

In addition to carrying a defibrillator, Ellington said officers will also stock Narcan in case an opioid overdose occurs or an officer is unexpectedly exposed.

The report also revealed an increase in crime, namely 25 more property and violent crimes during 2017. Specifically, the report cited that there have been 105 offenses of destruction, damage or vandalism of property. It also cited three cases of forcible rape, and three offenses related to pornography or obscene material. Additionally, there were 35 offenses of burglary or breaking and entering, 11 motor vehicle thefts, 71 offenses of driving under the influence, 99 drug or narcotics violations and eight cases of aggravated assault.

“In a head-to-head comparison from last year, overall crime numbers were below by 91 offenses,” officials stated in a release. “Violent crime, which includes simple assault, for comparison, was up by 14 offenses. Using a four-year average of crime as a measurement for comparison, we find that the average for total crimes is 386.25.”

According to the report, in 2017 crime was down 10.5 percent over a four-year average.

The report boasted that the Farmville Police Department has been awarded a four-year re-accreditation status.

“By maintaining our accredited status, we can continue to build trust between law enforcement and the community we serve, whose help and support we need to make the Town of Farmville a safe and secure community for everyone,” Ellington said in the report.