Human trafficking and animal cruelty on the rise in Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky State Police released its 2023 Kentucky Crime Report July 1, with human trafficking and animal cruelty being the two largest increases in reported serious felony offenses.

The report showed there were 60 human trafficking crimes in 2023, compared to 43 in 2022, an increase of nearly 40%. KSP said it believes the increase in human trafficking reports can be linked to increased training for law enforcement professionals, services and education, as well as a national campaign to increase community awareness.

Animal cruelty is also on the rise, with 991 reported offenses in 2023, compared to 734 in 2022, a 35% increase. This is because some individuals often abuse more than one animal at a time, KSP said.

A total of 239,930 Group A crimes were reported in Kentucky in 2023. This represents an increase of more than 2,000 from 2022, which recorded 237,818 serious crimes. Among the most common are theft (56,462), drug/narcotics offenses (53,119), assault (50,833), destruction/damage/vandalism of property (21,767), motor vehicle theft (13,535) and burglary/breaking and entering (11,070).

The report shows declines in homicides, burglaries, robberies, sex crimes, kidnappings and gambling. This is the third consecutive year of declining homicide rates.

“One crime committed is one crime too many,” said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat. “Our law enforcement and government leaders remain focused on deterring crime, protecting Kentucky families, and providing services to victims. At the start of my second term, I pledged to remain committed to creating the better Kentucky we all want for future generations, and every day, my administration reaffirms that promise.”

KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. said anyone with information to report to law enforcement should call 911 or one of KSP’s 16 stations. Those who wish to report information confidentially can do so through the reporting form on KSP’s website.

“Protecting Kentucky’s 120 counties requires collaboration between local, state and federal law enforcement, and I’m proud to say our state is doing just that,” Burnett said. “That’s why we see progress every day. I encourage Kentuckians to stay vigilant about their surroundings, take note of changes, and stay focused on protecting our most vulnerable population: our children.”

Beshear's administration said he has made public safety a priority since taking office, securing a pay raise of more than $18,000 for KSP troopers and officers.

The statistics in the report are collected from crime and arrest data, KSP said, that are reported to police by law enforcement agencies across the state. KSP added that it requires law enforcement agencies to submit their data through the National Incident-Based Reporting System, the FBI's standard reporting system.