BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. — The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office has released its 2025 Annual Report, providing a data-driven look at law enforcement activity, crime trends, and community engagement across one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing counties.
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Sheriff Duane Lewis said the report reflects the agency’s continued commitment to transparency and accountability while highlighting the work of deputies serving more than 272,000 residents.
By the Numbers: A Year in Public Safety
The report outlines the scale of law enforcement activity across Berkeley County in 2025:
- 107,619 calls for service
- 1,880 arrests
- 1,977 high-visibility patrols
- 6,304 bookings at the detention center
- Average daily inmate population: 502
Officials say the majority of activity occurred in the southern portion of the county, reflecting ongoing population growth in areas like Goose Creek.
Criminal Investigations: Hundreds of Cases, Dozens of Arrests
The criminal investigations division handled more than 1,200 cases in 2025, with:
- 167 cases cleared by arrest
- 155 exceptionally cleared
- 289 unfounded cases
- 748 administratively closed cases
The sheriff’s office says these cases ranged from violent crimes to property offenses and complex financial investigations.
Drug Enforcement: Seizures and Arrests
The county’s Drug Enforcement Task Force reported significant seizures and enforcement activity:
- Nearly 800 grams of methamphetamine seized
- Additional seizures included cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, and psilocybin
- 73 arrests and 172 warrants issued
- 44 firearms seized along with nearly $95,000 in cash
Officials say the task force continues to work closely with local, state, and federal partners to combat narcotics activity.
Patrol and School Safety Efforts
Deputies remained highly active in neighborhoods and schools:
- Patrol division responded to 2,587 calls for service
- School Resource Officers handled 712 incident reports and 287 arrests during the 2024–2025 school year
The agency emphasized its focus on proactive policing and building relationships through its Community Action Team.
K-9 Unit: Hundreds of Arrests Assisted
The Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit played a major role in enforcement efforts:
- 520 deployments
- Assisted in 420 arrests
- 104 apprehensions, including 15 bite apprehensions
- Seized 17 firearms and 13 stolen vehicles
Traffic Enforcement: Targeting Safety on the Roads
Traffic deputies focused heavily on roadway safety:
- 90 DUI arrests, with 80 made by the traffic unit
- 5,990 citations issued (61% by traffic team)
- 146 collisions investigated
- Over 2,800 warnings issued
Officials say reducing traffic fatalities remains a top priority moving forward.
Courts, Warrants, and Civil Process
Judicial services handled thousands of legal actions:
- 4,021 warrants issued
- 3,462 warrants served
- 4,347 civil papers issued
- 2,487 civil papers served
Victim Support: Serving More Than 1,500 Residents
Victim advocates assisted approximately 1,510 victims of crime in 2025, providing services such as court guidance, protective orders, and counseling referrals.
Animal Control and Community Services
Animal Control Officers responded to 8,173 calls and handled more than 2,000 animals, highlighting the agency’s role beyond traditional law enforcement.
Detention Center Expansion and Operations
The Hill-Finklea Detention Center continues to operate above capacity, prompting a major expansion project that will nearly double capacity to 565 beds
The report also notes:
- 1,824 inmate transports completed
- 113,530 pounds of trash removed through inmate work programs
Professional Standards and Accountability
The agency reported:
- 37 citizen complaints, with only 4 sustained
- 16 internal affairs investigations, with 6 sustained findings
Recruitment and Growth
As the county continues to grow, so does the need for deputies:
- 211 applications received
- 31 new deputies hired in 2025
The annual report is available to the public in one convenient location on the Sheriff’s Office website. Residents can access the report by clicking on the cover of the year they wish to review. All of the Annual Reports are available by clicking HERE.
