Police chief quotes “significant improvements” in the crime rates of Kirksville

By Marty Bachman Daily Express

“In most important categories and types, the crime rates within the city limits of Kirksville were significantly improved,” a report by Scott Williamson, chief of police at Kirksville. The report was discussed by the city council of Kirksville at a study meeting on May 12th.

A table provided by Williamson shows that overall violent crime rate, which includes murder, serious bodily harm, robbery and rape, was reported 91 times in 2021 and fell to 67 in 2023, but in 2024 to 74 – still rose from its height.

Burglaries in the city fell from a high from 120 to 47 in 2024 in 2024. Theft/theft reported 665 in 2022, but landed in 2024 at 281. Motor vehicle thefts fell from 55 to 2021 to 20 last year.

In 2022, drug and narcotics violations fell from 94 in 2024 to 48, a drop that was due to the legalization of marijuana. Driving under the influence of the arrests fell from 12 in 2021 to nine in 2022 and then rose to 15 and in 2024 to 27.

“These improvements represent a significant effort of patrol officers, detectives and neighborhood observation groups,” wrote Williamson in his report. “It is also supported by improved communication and coordination with partner criminal trial authorities in the region.”

Williamson said that the department conducts traffic enforcement projects regularly throughout the week, with most of the holding times instructive and “deterrent” driving for careless threads.

“Repeated offenders receive quotes and were arrested if necessary,” wrote Williamson in his report. “Our increased DUI enforcement has also led to a significant increase in DUI arrest.”

A table in the report showed that the entire traffic collisions were reported, from a high from 496 in 2021 to a low from 232 in 2023 before it rose to 375 in 2024.

The related injuries had decreased to 39 in 2024 after experiencing high heights of 50, 62 in 2022 and 61 in 2023 in 2021.

Wiliamson wrote that the department is actively working with several law enforcement authorities and many active observation groups in the neighborhood.

He said that future goals include the development of employees, increasing the retention rates, an expansion of recruitment efforts and maintaining personnel remark. He said the department had a personnel payment of 90%despite the three openings of the patrol police officer.

He said that the department has concerns about inexperienced civil servants who fill the rows, a “solid experience” in the leadership. A third diagram shows five officers with more than 20 Yer experience. four officers with over 15 years; Two officials at the age of 10 and six with over five years in the department.

Williamson expressed that he would improve the department's infrastructure in order to meet the current and future needs of the community by making several purchases for civil servants, which include lighter rifle plates for SWAT members who reduce the risk of back injuries and at the same time increase their protection surface. Williamson also wants his patrol officers armed with a Taser 10 that increases the range and multi-shot ability and gives the officials more options when situations become combative.

He said that the department is also applying for the Blue Shield program through the state of Missouri, which gives you access to additional financial resources for the equipment.