For the last three years, homicide rates have been declining, according to the report. In , state police recorded homicides. In , homicide offenses were recorded. The annual data indicates crime rates remained stable with a decline in offenses for homicide, burglary, robbery, sex offenses, kidnapping and gambling.
I encourage Kentuckians to stay vigilant of their surroundings, take notice of changes and remain focused on protecting our most vulnerable population β our children. The report suggests two large increases in reported offenses in serious crimes β human trafficking and animal cruelty. State officials believe the rise in human trafficking reports may be related to an increase in training for law enforcement, service and education professionals, as well as a nationwide push for heightened community awareness.
Animal cruelty continues to be on the rise, some of which may be because individuals who are reported for animal cruelty often are abusing multiple animals at one time. From to , Lexington set and re-set its homicide record for four straight years. That stopped in Six of the seven homicide cases this year feature an arrest, according to police data.
In , Lexington reported 24 homicides , fewer than the record-breaking year of , when 44 killings took place. The last time Lexington reported 24 or fewer homicides in a year was in , according to Lexington police data, which dates back to In the past 10 years, the city has reported 24 or fewer homicides only three times, according to Lexington police records.
The second largest percentage was sexual orientation, followed by religion, gender identity, and disability. The most frequently reported locations of hate-bias crimes in were at residences, followed by elementary or secondary schools, and highways, roadways, or streets.
