Owensboro saw fewer violent and property crimes in 2019 than the year before, according to Owensboro Police Department’s annual crime statistics. While homicides increased in 2019, other violent crimes such as rape, assault and robbery decreased.
Six murders took place in City limits last year compared to three in 2018. A triple homicide that took place on Audubon Avenue in Jan. 2019 made up for half of the murders recorded last year.
The number of robberies in 2019 saw the biggest decrease from the year before. OPD reported 40 robberies in 2019 compared to 65 in 2018.
Overall, OPD reported nearly 20 percent fewer violent crimes in 2019 than 2018.
Assaults were down by 16 last year ad there were four less rapes in 2019 than 2019.
Property crimes, including burglary, larceny (theft), vehicle theft and arson also decreased dramatically last year.
OPD reported 374 burglaries in 2019 compared to 480 in 2018, as well as 1,847 larcenies compared to 2,107 the year before.
Vehicle theft decreased by 48 and there were three fewer arsons reported in 2019 than the year before, down from 10 to seven.
Overall, OPD reported 2,444 property crimes in 2019. In 2018, 2,861 property crimes were reported — almost a 15 percent decrease year over year.
Though many across Owensboro have expressed worry about the City’s increased violence, statistics show Owensboro’s homicide rate is better than some other Kentucky cities’ with smaller populations.
