Gov. Beshear: Kentucky's Serious Crimes Rate Decreased in 2022

Report shows a decrease in majority of major crime categories; new steps taken to protect children, improve public safety

(Frankfort, Ky.) - Serious crime rates dropped in Kentucky last year.  

According to Kentucky State Police’s annual statewide crime report, overall serious crime rates dropped in 2022 from the prior year and included fewer reports and arrests for homicides, drug offenses and robberies.  

In 23 crime categories, overall reports of serious, Category A crimes decreased by nearly 10 percent and arrested decreased by 6.2 percent from 2021 to 2022.  

The data shows a 6.9 percent decrease in homicide arrests and a 33 percent decrease in reports of that crime. Other decreases include a more than 13 percent decrease in drug and narcotic offense reports and about a 12 percent decrease in arrests of that crime, as well as a 16 percent decrease in reports of robberies.  

“Making sure our children, communities and law enforcement officers are safe is a top priority for my administration,” Gov. Beshear said. “Today’s report is encouraging news that we are moving in the right direction when it comes to fighting crime across the commonwealth. We are taking this momentum and announcing more ways we are better protecting all of our families.” 

View Kentucky State Police’s annual statewide crime report here.