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Hardin County law enforcement is looking at the 2023 crime report data. The numbers show some crimes stayed the same, but homicides went up a lot. Other crimes followed the state’s trends.

Elizabethtown Police Chief Jeremy Thompson said the numbers weren’t a surprise. “Some numbers were up a bit, but nothing was way off from before,” he said.

Homicides in Hardin County jumped to 15 in 2023 from seven the year before. This is the most serious crime.

Hardin County Sheriff John Ward noted that homicides usually don’t change much from year to year. “Some years, it might go up a bit,” he said.

What We Found

In 2023, Elizabethtown had three homicides, Radcliff had five, and the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office had four. Kentucky State Police also reported three.

Elizabethtown’s Chief Thompson said they wish for zero homicides every year. “We’ve had years with no homicides, but sometimes we see a spike,” he said.

Hardin County’s homicide rate is higher than the state’s. Kentucky saw a drop in homicides for the third year in a row, from 571 in 2022 to 562 in 2023.

Radcliff Police Chief Jeff Cross said it’s disappointing to see any crime. “We aim to protect our citizens with the resources we have,” he said.

Drug and narcotic offenses were the most common serious crime in Hardin County. There were 1,673 charges in 2023, a slight decrease from 2022.

Hardin County Sheriff John Ward is pleased with the decrease in drug-related charges. “That’s our goal,” he said.

However, drug arrests haven’t led to a decrease in drug crimes, Ward noted. “It shows we have a drug problem,” he said.

The Crimes

Drug crimes often lead to other crimes, like theft or violence, as users or traffickers try to support their habits. These crimes aren’t included in the report, said Radcliff Police Chief Jeff Cross.

Assaults were the second most common crime in Hardin County, with 933 reported in 2023. Animal cruelty charges also increased, from five in 2022 to 48 in 2023.

Sex offenses decreased in Hardin County and the state. The county reported 75 in 2023, down from 80 in 2022. The state saw a similar drop, from 4,325 to 4,136 reports.

Motor vehicle thefts have increased, with 189 cases in 2023 compared to 174 in 2022. This rise is likely due to transient criminals targeting unlocked vehicles in the area.

Car thefts often involve juveniles who roam neighborhoods, looking for unlocked cars. They might steal guns, property, or even the cars themselves if the keys are left inside.

Residents can help by locking their car doors and removing valuables. Leaving keys in the car should be avoided.

Drug use and gang activity from big cities are also factors. The area’s fast-growing population adds to the crime challenges.

The Cause?

Population growth means more problems, including crime, are expected. Officials are aware that not all changes will be positive.

Crime trends can be unpredictable, with activity levels changing suddenly.

The crime report provides a snapshot of serious crimes. It helps law enforcement see how they compare to others statewide.

It focuses on uniform citation reporting but doesn’t show the full work of law enforcement agencies.

Deputies handle over 15,000 calls for service and other duties. They aim to keep the community safe.

Statistics guide how law enforcement works but can be misleading. Not all crimes are reported.

Being visible is key to preventing crime. Officers patrol streets, attend school events, and visit businesses.

While stats are important, policing goes beyond numbers. It’s about community involvement and helping others.

HARDIN COUNTY OFFENSES Animal Cruelty: 48 Arson: 8 Assault Offenses: 933 Bribery: 2 Burglary/Breaking and Entering: 272 Counterfeit/Forgery: 115 Destruction/Damage/Vandalism of Property: 251 Drug/Narcotic Offenses: 1,673 Extortion/Blackmail: 1 Fraud Offenses: 203 Gambling Offenses: 0 Homicide: 15 Kidnapping/Abduction: 35 Larceny/Theft Offenses: 708 Motor Vehicle Theft: 189 Pornography/Obscene Material: 78 Prostitution Offenses: 0 Robbery: 14 Sex Offenses: 75 Sex Offenses (Consensual): 9 Stolen Property: 102 Weapon Law Violations: 118