In addition to claims of prostitution, local law enforcement agencies also have had their hands full with other issues related to the burgeoning oil and gas industry.
Wetzel County Sheriff James Hoskins said as with many departments and agencies in the area, his office is low on manpower and has a hard time covering territory both within city limits and in the outlying areas of the county. He said the influx of people has amplified issues that have always existed.
"With the increase in people being around, there is more traffic on the roads, speeding is on the rise and people are frustrated," Hoskins said.
Additionally, Hoskins said more attention has to be paid to drug trafficking in the county, which has always been a major focus of his department.
Despite an increase in some crimes, Hoskins said the number of fights, particularly at bars, has declined since this time a year ago. He said when out-of-town workers first came to the county, the number of reported assaults and disputes rose drastically. However, that is no longer the case.
"It has leveled off to some degree," he said. "Now, in some situations, if there is a fight we don't even get a phone call, and we find out about something after the fact."
Marshall County Chief Deputy Sheriff Kevin Cecil said reports of fighting in his county have also decreased. However, he said the number of DUIs has noticeably increased, with a number of out-of-town workers being charged with the offense.
