The FBI’s Uniform Crime Report categorizes offenses into Part I and Part II crimes. Part I crimes include more serious offenses such as murder, rape, and robbery while Part II crimes involve offenses such as fraud, vandalism, and minor assaults.  This past year, Paducah experienced a 2% decrease in Part I crimes and a 9% decrease in Part II crimes, resulting in an overall 7% decline.

Traffic safety also saw improvement with fewer reported collisions. Officers investigated 1,695 collisions within city limits, representing a 3% decrease from the prior year. Consistent with previous years, more than 56% of these collisions were attributed to distracted driving behaviors, including cell phone use and general inattention.

Additionally, there was only one fatal traffic collision in 2025, compared to four in 2024, reflecting a 75% decrease.

“This milestone reflects the hard work, dedication, and professionalism of our officers and community members, who are committed to keeping our city safe every day,” said Chief Brian Laird.

“In addition to their efforts, the department’s expanded use of technology has improved our ability to prevent and solve crime. These combined efforts continue to make Paducah a safer place for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. We remain focused on leveraging innovative approaches and maintaining high standards of service to ensure ongoing safety and security throughout the city.”