There was an overall decrease in violent crime and serious property crime in 2024 compared to the year prior, and the Owensboro Police Department’s clearance rate for those incidents was higher than state and national averages, according to Deputy Chief JD Winkler.
During Tuesday’s City Commission meeting, Winkler provided an overview of the department’s latest crime statistics and enforcement efforts.
Violent and property crime statistics
Winkler said the department’s data indicated a slight decrease in overall Part 1 violent crimes, which include serious offenses such as murder and assault along with property crimes including burglary and larceny. OPD shared the following breakdown:
- Murder
- 2023: 2
- 2024: 1
- Rape
- 2023: 52
- 2024: 48
- Robbery
- 2023: 26
- 2024: 38
- Aggravated Assault
- 2023: 149
- 2024: 142
- Burglary
- 2023: 264
- 2024: 234
- Larceny
- 2023: 1,876
- 2024: 1,730
- Vehicle Theft
- 2023: 239
- 2024: 227
- Arson
- 2023: 14
- 2024: 11
“Overall, with the Part 1 violent crimes, we’ve stayed pretty steady with what we had last year,” he said. “Our officers are out there working hard to keep these numbers low.”
Winkler did say he was proud to report that gun thefts saw a particularly notable decline, with a 41.25% decrease in 2024 over the prior year. Winkler credited the reduction to increased community awareness and responsible gun ownership.
“That means that our community is listening,” he said. “Our citizens are paying attention. They’re securing those firearms and helping us out with that, and we certainly appreciate it.”
Winkler said the department’s clearance rate for Part 1 violent crimes stood at 73%, well above the state average of 50% and the national average of 41%. OPD’s Part 1 property crimes clearance rate was at 34% compared to the state average of 31% and national average of 14%.
“We strive for 100%. Our folks work hard to be at that number, but we’re proud to be well ahead of both the state and national levels,” Winkler said.
Digital forensics and Internet Crimes Against Children
The department’s Digital Forensics Unit conducted 183 cell phone downloads, analyzed 13 computers, and examined 51 digital media devices. The Internet Crimes Against Children unit opened 50 investigations, leading to 12 arrests and 178 charges.
“I have a lot of respect for the guys that work these cases … to protect our children in this community. They put a lot of work into it,” Winkler said.
Drug enforcement
The department’s Street Crimes Unit saw significant drug enforcement efforts, leading to 62 federal indictments. Seized contraband included approximately 270,000 methamphetamine, 23 pounds of cocaine, 100,000 fentanyl pills, and one pound of heroin.
“Our street crimes folks have worked hard, not just last year but in previous years, with our focus on targeting the individuals that are going after the most vulnerable in our community,” Winkler said.
Wikler also stressed OPD understands there needs to be help for addicts.
“I think it’s important to understand that there’s a difference between addiction to controlled substances and addiction to power and money and doing harm to the vulnerable in our community,” he said.
Accountability
The department reported 25 administrative investigations in 2024 — 18 initiated externally and seven internally. Among the 100 possible administrative charges filed, 55 resulted in exonerations, 37 were sustained, and eight were not sustained. Details were not provided on the charges that were sustained.
Patrol response
OPD responded to 36,496 calls for service in 2024, conducted 12,041 traffic stops, and provided security for 50 special events,
Highlighting the department’s role in the community, Winkler noted the challenge of balancing routine policing duties with special event coverage.
“Our officers covering these events do so in addition to handling calls and investigations,” he said. “Sometimes we need 30, 40, 50, or even 60 officers for a single event.”
