Lexington’s public safety leaders held a panel discussion Friday to discuss and answer questions about crime, the city’s drug epidemic and overall safety.
Lexington’s Police Chief Mark Barnard, Fire Chief Kristin Chilton, and Fayette County Sheriff Kathy Witt all took part in today’s forum held by Commerce Lexington. Barnard announced that the overall crime rate in the city is up five percent from last year but is still lower than it was in the 90’s. The majority of the cases police are working on are property crimes. Barnard said you can actually help drop that number dramatically. He said for example “48% of the cars stolen are stolen because the keys were left in them.”
Drug use is also up in the city. Fire Chief Kristen Chilton says last year her department was given a 100 doses a month of the lifesaving overdose drug Narcan. This year they use about 150 a month. The epidemic is taking a toll on lives and the budget. The drug used to cost $4.50 cents per dose six years ago, now it’s $38 per dose.”
Chief Barnard also talked about recent high-profile fatal shootings. He said in most cases, shootings involve illegal activity but recently, innocent bystanders have been getting caught in the crossfire. He hopes increased police presence in certain areas of town will make the city safer.
