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Lexington Nearing Record High in Murder Rate

Alan Cleaver
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Flickr (Creative Commons License)

Lexington is approaching a record number for homicides in the area. So far, in 2017 there have been 26, one below the previous high number in 1999 and 2001. 

Police Lieutenant Al Johnson said cases of murder usually involve people with previous criminal relationships.

While random homicides in Lexington are extremely rare, Johnson said there are ways to reduce the chance of being a victim. He said that includes knowing your surroundings and where you’re going and, as much as possible, the people around you.

“If people show up in large groups, like just a group of people show up, and you see problems starting, you see arguments starting, that would be a good time for you to exit and a good time for you to leave before things escalate and maybe become more serious where somebody gets injured,” said Johnson.

Johnson added that virtually all of these types of homicides in Lexington this year occurred after midnight. The veteran officer said, historically, the number of murders has varied greatly from year to year.

When compared to cities of similar size across the country, Lexington typically sees 31% fewer violent crimes compared to those communities.

Stu Johnson is a reporter/producer at WEKU in Lexington, Kentucky.
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