Deputy chief: Owensboro saw falling Part 1 crime, drug seizures and steady community policing in annual report
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Summary
Deputy Chief JD Winkler told the commission the Owensboro Police Department saw downward trends in Part 1 crimes, reported clearance rates above many benchmarks, listed recent large drug seizures and emphasized the department's community programs and training.
Deputy Chief JD Winkler presented the Owensboro Police Department's annual report to the Owensboro City Commission, saying Part 1 crimes have trended downward in recent years and highlighting the department’s workload and community engagement. "Our calls for service" and traffic enforcement remain substantial, Winkler said, and patrol units assisted on search warrants and special events that required roughly 2,000 manpower hours.
Winkler outlined investigative results and enforcement work: he cited a street crimes unit that produced federal indictments and significant controlled-substance seizures (the report referenced quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl). He also described criminal-investigations and digital-forensics work, including arrests in internet crimes against children investigations. "We're investigating it and not everywhere else is," Winkler said, adding that officers are "plugging away" at sources of supply and that detectives have worked cases tracing supply chains to other regions.
Winkler reported clearance rates for the department's Part 1 crimes, noting the department's violent-crime clearance was cited in the presentation at about 67% and property-crime clearance at about 38% in the document he discussed; he said the prior year’s clearance rate was higher (around 71–72%). He described the investigative effort in many cases as involving dozens to hundreds of hours after an initial response.
During questions, Mayor Pro Tem Bob Glenn asked about the disposition of seized drugs. Winkler said evidence is maintained until the court process concludes, and after conviction a judge issues release for destruction; he stated destruction is accomplished via incineration at an off-site facility but did not supply a precise location.
Commissioners and public speakers commended OPD’s work. The presiding officer thanked staff and compared Owensboro favorably with other cities at the Kentucky League of Cities. A downtown business owner told the commission dispatch and responding officers make her feel safe; she asked the mayor to pass along appreciation to OPD.
The presentation concluded without a vote; the commission offered unanimous thanks and moved to the next agenda item.
