Thedailymiaminews– Some cities in Kentucky, which is famous for its beautiful scenery, whiskey distilleries, and horse racing, are experiencing significant crime issues. The most recent statistics from the FBI shows that one city has the highest murder rate in the state and one of the highest in the country. Shively is a suburb of Louisville, and it has a population of approximately 15,000 residents.
Shively: Kentucky’s Murder Capital
Shively’s murder rate is 57.2 per 100,000 population, which is more than 11 times higher than the national average of 5.0. The city had nine murders in 2020, which made it the third most in the state for the total number of homicides. Shively also has a high incidence of other violent crimes, including rape, robbery, and assault.
There are several complicated causes that explain why Shively has such a high murder rate. Poverty, unemployment, drug misuse, gang activity, personal disputes, and easy access to firearms are some of the causes that may lead to the violence. Kevin Higdon, the police chief of Shively, stated that the majority of the murders are not random; instead, they involve persons who are acquainted with one another or have some sort of disagreement.
Louisville Metro: The State’s Most Dangerous Place for Murder
Shively is not the only city in Kentucky that is having problems with crime. Louisville Metro, the largest city in the state and the county seat of Jefferson County (which contains Shively), has also experienced a significant increase in homicides in recent years. Louisville Metro had 192 homicides in 2020, which was the greatest total in its history and a 69% rise from the previous year. Louisville Metro’s murder rate was 28.3 per 100,000 population, making it the second-highest in the state behind Shively.
Louisville Several reasons have contributed to the violence in the metro area, including the COVID-19 pandemic, social instability, police reform, and racial tensions. The city has also been the subject of protests over the killing of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman who was shot and murdered by police officers in her apartment in March 2020. The case caused a national uproar and calls for justice, but it also resulted in confrontations between demonstrators and law officers, as well as a rise in gun violence in certain neighborhoods.
Other Cities Are Expressing Concerns
Shively and Louisville Metro are not the only cities in Kentucky that are dealing with high murder rates. The overall crime situation in the state has been affected by the fact that several other cities, including Hopkinsville, Radcliff, Lebanon, and Glasgow, have also reported homicide rates that are higher than usual.
Addressing the Problem
Even while these numbers are concerning, it is crucial to recognize that the majority of locations in Kentucky are still reasonably secure. Of the 76 localities, only 29 reported killings to the FBI, which means that 47 communities had no recorded homicides. In addition, murder rates in other communities, including Lexington, Bowling Green, and Covington, have decreased from 2019 to 2020.
That said, there is still a lot of work to be done in order to prevent and reduce violence in the state. Increasing community engagement, expanding social services, raising police accountability, tightening gun control, and fostering conflict resolution are some of the potential solutions. The inhabitants, government, and organizations of Kentucky may work together to make their cities safer and more peaceful for everyone.