And the Mayor announced staggering statistics. “Our homicide rate, related to domestic violence has increased 11-hundred percent over last year.”
Gorton called the rising crime rate unacceptable and urged the community to get involved to assist Lexington police.
“We are determined to hold the criminals committing these violent and destructive criminal acts accountable.” Gorton continued, “As a community, we must call out this unacceptable behavior when we see it and report it every time we are aware of it.”
Gorton says her administration, police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and community services leaders are working hard to ensure public safety, pointing to the creation of One Lexington to work with youth to reduce youth violence and Flock cameras that have helped locate and recover more than 70 stolen vehicles and helped with 35 criminal investigations so far this year.
Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers echoed the mayor, saying the department was down 86 officers and is asking the public to step up.
“You can be anonymous. You can use Crime Stoppers or you can use P3 but don’t let them scare you into that. The stuff that’s happening out here, it’s happening because we are letting the criminals win.” Weathers said, “We cannot do that anymore. If you want this place to remain the best place, stand up and say something. Step out and step in and get involved.”
Weathers acknowledged the understaffing of the police department created challenges and he did not hold back his emotions when he talked about the number of officers who have left the force in recent years.
“Let me tell you something. When I have police leave, they’re leaving because they feel like they’re not being appreciated. It’s time to stop all this nonsense and realize that you’ve got a different community here and start appreciating what your police do for you. Start appreciating what your E 9-1-1 workers do for you. Start appreciating what your fire department does for you. Start appreciating what your corrections officers do for you.” Weather’s pounded the podium and added, “That’s what we need when we say community involvement. We need YOU to be involved with public safety!”
The mayor asked for patience, saying there is an uptick in crime across the country and that this problem “didn’t happen overnight” and will take time to fix.