‘Safer Kentucky Act‘ Faces Questions as Crime Rates Drop
According to the published article of WKYT, House Bill 5 called the ‘Safer Kentucky Act,’ is causing a lot of debate in the state. The bill wants to make penalties tougher and increase jail time to fight crime reacting to the rise in violent crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic. But new data shows crime rates in Kentucky are going down making people wonder if such strict measures are needed.
READ ALSO: Virginia Farmers Await Climate-Smart Investments Even With Delays In Farm Bill Passage – SNAP Support At Stake!
(PHOTO: Britannica)
Is Kentucky Safe?
New Data Shows Drop in Kentucky Crime Rates – Contradicting ‘Safer Kentucky Act’
Pam Thomas from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy points out that recent statistics show a big drop in violent crimes. FBI data says violent crimes in Kentucky fell by 19% from 2020 to 2022, and the state’s crime rate has been much lower than the national average. Crimes like robbery and murder have also decreased a lot with Lexington’s murder rate being one of the lowest in ten years.
High Cost of House Bill 5 Raises Questions Amid Falling Crime Rates
The cost of House Bill 5 adds another layer of concern. A study by the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy estimates the bill would cost over one billion dollars in the next ten years. With crime rates going down, Thomas questions if spending this much money is the best choice suggesting the money could be used in better ways to help the community. As lawmakers continue to discuss the bill, it’s important to consider the latest data.
READ ALSO: 570 Violent Crimes & 2,478 Property Crimes Per 100,000: Hartford Is Named Most Dangerous City In The State Of Connecticut!
