Located in central Ohio, Licking County is home to an estimated 185,000 residents. This makes it Ohio's 16th most populous county, and it accounts for approximately 1.5% of the state's population. Licking County's economy is driven by manufacturing, healthcare, warehousing, logistics, and information technology. The major cities and towns in the county include Newark (the county seat), Heath, Pataskala, and Granville.
Ohio's overall crime rate, at approximately 381 incidents per 100,000 residents, aligns with the national average. Newark's violent crime rate is 117.3 per 100,000, with the county overall remaining moderate. Property crime in towns like Newark stands near 215.1 per 100,000 residents, roughly 32% above the national figure.
The Licking County Sheriff's Office is the principal law enforcement agency, especially in unincorporated areas. The Sheriff serves as the custodian of the county jail. It is the central point of contact for a wide variety of law enforcement and public safety matters.
The Licking County Sheriff's Office is the primary custodian of arrest records, jail bookings, and inmate release data and serves warrants issued by the various courts in the county. Although other law enforcement agencies, such as municipal police, state troopers, and federal agents, can arrest individuals and generate incident reports. Once a person is booked into the county jail, those records are shared with the Sheriff's Office.
Licking County hosts several law enforcement agencies, including the county sheriff, city and village police departments, and federal agencies.
The Licking County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary repository for county-level arrest logs, jail rosters, and related records. The county sheriff's office manages:
Within Licking County, local police departments such as those in Newark and Heath operate alongside the county sheriff's office. Although city police conduct arrests, individuals are typically booked into the Licking County Justice Center, and their jail records are handled by the sheriff's office.
Within city limits, local police carry out arrests and document them through arrest and incident reports.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol, which serves as the state police, conducts highway stops or investigates statewide or interjurisdictional crimes. If an arrest occurs in Licking County, the person is often booked into the County's Justice Center, and the records may appear in the county jail.
Federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA, ATF, and Homeland Security, handle investigations and arrests tied to federal crimes like terrorism, drug trafficking, immigration issues, and cybercrime. Federal arrests usually don't appear in county records unless the suspect is held at the Licking County Justice Center.
The primary institutions of higher education in Licking County are the Ohio State University at Newark and Central Ohio Technical College (COTC). The Department of Safety, serving both institutions, helps to prevent crime on campus and provide safety. Both institutions are served by a joint Department of Public Safety, which can be contacted at the following location:
John L. and Christine Warner Library and Student Center
Room 105
1219 University Drive
Newark, OH 436055
Phone: (740) 366-9237
Law enforcement agencies in Licking County participate in various multi-jurisdictional task forces that help to combat specific types of crime. The following are the Joint task forces with a presence in Licking County:
What Licking County Arrest Records Include
Arrest records maintained in Licking County generally include the following details:
Arrest record details vary by agency, jurisdiction, and case. Some data may be withheld for privacy, juvenile safety, or active investigations.
Violent crime in Licking County remains under 300 reported incidents annually, while property crime generally falls between 2,500 and 3,500 cases each year. Ohio's crime rate is 381 per 100,000, consistent with the U.S. average. Newark records 117.3 violent crimes per 100,000, with the county overall moderate. Property crime in Newark is 215.1 per 100,000, about 32% above the national figure.
This table outlines arrest statistics for Licking County:
Arrest Total | Yearly Average |
|---|---|
Arrest Rate per 100,000 | 780 |
Adult Arrests | - |
Juvenile Arrests | - |
Crime Type | |
Murder | 4 |
Rape | 40 |
Robbery | 20 |
Aggravated Assault | 230 |
Burglary | 240 |
Larceny | 1,560 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 180 |
Arson | 0 |
Source: Ohio Incident-Based Reporting System
Common Warrant Types in Licking County, OH
Public arrest records in Licking County can include information about different warrant types that may be issued by courts. A warrant grants law enforcement legal authority to arrest an individual or take other legally authorized action. Note that the terms used to describe various warrant types and the specifics of each type may differ from one jurisdiction to another. The most common warrant types in Licking County include the following:
An arrest warrant is issued when there is sufficient evidence to suggest that someone committed a crime. Once signed by a judge, an arrest warrant allows law enforcement to locate and arrest the individual suspected of having committed a crime. Arrest warrants typically show up in arrest and booking records.
A bench warrant is issued by the court when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled hearing or does not comply with a court directive. Bench warrants may lead to arrest even for minor offenses.
Civil capias warrants arise from civil proceedings, such as lawsuits or child support cases, when a person fails to obey a judge's order.
When a person wanted in another jurisdiction is found in Licking County, a fugitive warrant enables local authorities to detain them. These cases often lead to extradition and are reflected in both arrest records and court filings.
Signed by the governor, a governor's warrant is used to authorize the return of a wanted individual to another state. While not as common, governor's warrants appear in records related to out-of-state criminal matters.
Although not arrest-related, a search warrant allows law enforcement to enter a location or property to find specific evidence. Arrests sometimes follow, which may cause search warrant details to be found in case summaries and arrest reports.
Licking County arrest and jail records can be accessed through several established protocols. Current booking data and inmate status are accessible via the Licking County Sheriff's Office Inmate Roster. Furthermore, parties may conduct warrant inquiries through the Sheriff's Department or utilize the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction's offender search for comprehensive statewide inmate data.
Individuals seeking access to records in Licking County may submit their requests to the Sheriff's Office, jail, or Clerk of Courts. Requests may be submitted through in‑person applications, by phone, or email. Pursuant to Ohio's public records statutes, a formal request may also be filed. This is subject to the payment of any applicable administrative fees and verification of identification.
Listed below are the jail and detention facilities that operate in Licking County:
Agency Name: Licking County Sheriff's Office
City: Newark, Ohio
Type: County law enforcement agency
Address: 155 East Main Street, Newark, OH 43055
Phone Number: Civil/Records Division: (740) 670-5541/Jail Division: (740) 670-5501
Staffing: The department maintains an authorized force of approximately 134 sworn law enforcement officers.
Police Department | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
Newark Police Department | 39 S 4th St, Newark, OH 43055 | (740) 670-7200 |
Heath Police Department | 1287 Hebron Rd, Heath, OH 43056 | (740) 522-2141 |
Pataskala Police Department | 623 Broad St SW, Pataskala, OH 43062 | (740) 927-5701 |
Granville Police Department | 141 East Broadway, Granville, OH 43023 | (740) 587-1234 |
Johnstown Police Department | 599 South Main Street, Johnstown, OH 43031 | (740) 967-9911 |
Buckeye Lake Police Department | 5192 Walnut Road SE, Buckeye Lake, OH 43008 | County dispatch (740) 670-5555 |
Hebron Police Department | 934 West Main Street, Hebron, OH 43025 | (740) 670-5555 (County Dispatch) |
Kirkersville Police Department | 135 North Fourth Street, Kirkersville, OH 43033 | (740) 670-5555 (County Dispatch) |
Hartford Police Department | 2 North High Street, Hartford, OH 43013 | (740) 670-5555 |
Alexandria Marshal's Office | 116 Granville Street, Alexandria, OH 43001 | (740) 924-2539 (main line) |
Licking Memorial Hospital Police Department | 1320 West Main Street, Newark, OH 43055 | (220) 564-4755 |
Denison University Campus Safety | 100 W College St, Granville, OH 43023 | (740) 587-6777 |
The Ohio State University (Newark) and Central Ohio Technical College (Shared Public Safety Department) | 1179 University Dr, Newark, OH 43055 (Office located in the John L. and Christine Warner Library and Student Center, Room 105) | (740) 366-9237 |
Agency Name: Licking County Justice Center
State: Ohio
City: Newark
Type: Full-service corrections facility
Address: 155 East Main Street, Newark, OH 43055
Phone Number: (740) 670-5501
Website: https://lickingcounty.gov/depts/sheriff/jail_inmate/default.htm
Facility Name | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
Licking County Justice Center (Jail Division) | 155 East Main Street, Newark, OH 43055 | (740) 670-5501 |
Licking/Muskingum Community Correction Center | 119 East Main Street, Newark, OH, 43055 | (740) 670-5366 |