The Federal Bureau of Investigation Monday released statistics that show violent crime in Lawrence and Douglas County nearly doubled between 2005 and 2006.
Lawrence saw three murders or negligent homicides in 2006, versus two in 2005. The largest increase came from aggravated assaults. There were 203 reported in 2005, versus 370 reported in 2006. There were a total of 500 violent crimes reported in Lawrence, more than any other Kansas city except Wichita, Kansas City, Kan., and Topeka.
In Douglas County, there 34 violent crimes reported, up from 19 in 2005. There was one murder and two forcible rapes, up from zero the year before, as well as a sizable increase in aggravated assault there as well. The Douglas County number is sixth out of the 14 counties in Kansas the FBI considers metropolitan.
Kansas University, which reports its own crime figures, saw no real change in its reports of violent crimes.
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jehovah_bob (anonymous) says…
What other cities are there in Kansas besides Lawrence, Witchita, KC, and Topeka?
Fatty_McButterpants (anonymous) says…
I suppose KU's crime statistics are truthful and not lacking...
Seriously, do they expect us to believe that only about 2 people get busted for drunk driving in a year there?!?
justthefacts (anonymous) says…
Statistics don't lie...no wait....
I don't think most in the community can deny that certain types of crimes have increased over the recent years (everywhere). The stated cause for increase of violent personal crimes in Lawrence has been an increase in out-of-town visitors who bring their guns with them (but usually leave them in their cars). They come in part to hear certain types of music, but also because Lawrence is (so far) nuetral turf - they feel/are safer here.
Merely targeting one business probably won't work. If we close down or regulate one business, another just like it will crop up as long as (a) they are legal and (b) they make money. And if we require ALL bars to re-locate elsewhere...remember that may include your favorite watering hole too.... Most people I know simply do not frequent down-town Lawrence after mid-night. Those who do already know (unless living under a rock) that certain clubs are attracting more violent people. So they avoid that area.
What types of government regulation can be adopted that are (1) legal (not unconstitional and within the scope of city government powers; keeping in mind that most laws can only be applied propsectively, not retroactively) and (2) will actually work in keeping those who are violent from resorting to that conduct after a night of drinking and partying?
Do we:
(a) outlaw all guns in all public parking lots and on streets (as well as in buildings)? Is that lawful?
(b) put video cameras up in all public parking lots and on streets (if we can more easily catch and prosecute those who are doing the shooting, word may get around)?
(c) prohibit all partying by out of town visitors under the age of 21? Good luck with that being upheld by a court.
(d) Make the owners of bars criminally liable for the conduct of their guests? (Again, good luck with that being upheld by a court).
Just how does a city impose an outright ban on otherwise legal conduct (i.e. having a business that caters to the young and makes money doing so)?
KsTwister (anonymous) says…
Maybe its time for more residential patrols instead of speed trap set-ups and sobriety checks without half the force there at the same time. Good time to have a crime because they are busy. Actually I will bet the number is lower for 2007 though. Like ko said let them guess which you carry.
Kontum1972 (anonymous) says…
well when the draft starts most of the scum bag/inbreds will be shipped off or will be put in federal prison....jus' like in da ol' Nam days....10 + years of war...
countrygirl (anonymous) says…
Does this include coyote on domestic pets crime?
snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…
"kocrime (Anonymous) says:
For those that don't want to carry a gun, there's always the option of pepper spray, stun guns, and other personal safety products that usually don't kill a person. Visit (plug of business website removed) for more information!"
Trying to stir up a little business there, skippy?
horsegirl (anonymous) says…
I think I know what a couple of ya'll are implying but when I came to KU, I know many of my highschool classmates loved to come to Lawrence to break into houses and cars because there were so many nice things here and the kids were so careless. And yes, I went to Highland Park in Topeka (I liked my high school, thank you, but the education level was low. I made it on my own). And no, the kids who were breaking into houses were NOT black nor Hispanic. I believe a lot of the crime still comes from Topeka, but not just from one ethnic group. There is just a different standard. My house was broken into several years ago and checks were stolen... funny all the forgeries were made in Topeka!!!! I'm sorry, but Topeka is just scummy. Sorry Dad. I know you still live there! :)
kneejerkreaction (anonymous) says…
Marion (Marion Lynn) says:
You should always use aluminum bats for beating intruders.
*******
Shows you how much you know about beating criminals, Marion. Anyone who uses an Aluminum bat on an intruder before 8pm is simply, well gosh. Ash and Hickory should be used early in the day, while aluminum is reserved as a tasteful late-evening choice.
In the evenng, when the kids are in bed and the house is asleep, I prefer abandoning the bat entirely (they can be quite heavy to weild while beating the brains out of an intruder) and relying on something a little lighter, more of an evening choice..say a .357 125 gr. A .45 may be used after midnight and a shotgun should only be employed IF the cleaning person will be there immediately following. The criminal brain can be so hard to clean once it dries.
50YearResident (anonymous) says…
I think the stats will be lower for the year 2007 because of the new Concealed Cary Law without changing anything else.
kneejerkreaction (anonymous) says…
50YearResident (Anonymous) says:
I think the stats will be lower for the year 2007 because of the new Concealed Cary Law without changing anything else.
*******
Perhaps, but then the first person who uses a handgun to defend themself will find themself embroiled in the civil legal system. And that will be a deterrant to rightfully shooting a criminal.
hujiko (anonymous) says…
"Must be that damn rap music:"
no, it's Marilyn Manson.
tangential_reasoners_anonymous (anonymous) says…
countrygirl says: "Does this include coyote on domestic pets crime?"
Coyote-on-domestic-pets... is the intervention strategy-we'll breed the criminal out of them.
50YearResident (anonymous) says…
kneejerk, nobody said anything about shooting someone. The lower crime rate will be achieved solely by the fact the criminals will be much more cautious about who they choose for their crime because of the unknown perceived factor of harm to their self. Therefore there will be less criminal attempts on any one that might be carrying lethal force. This unknown factor is the deterrent.
tangential_reasoners_anonymous (anonymous) says…
Marion says: "You could also call... REMington 12... IThaca 37... MOSsberg 550... GLock 21... MAc 10.
Personally, I'd like to call for a "cease fire."
kawryan (anonymous) says…
I blame the west Lawrence coyotes.
Hector (anonymous) says…
Meth brings the most violence to Lawrence.
kneejerkreaction (anonymous) says…
Americorps, you are full of it. The serious crime rate in Texas fell 50% faster than the national average after a concealed carry law was passed in 1995.(5 FBI, Uniform Crime Reports, 2004 - excludes Hawaii and Rhode Island).
And, Less than 2% of all unintentional injury deaths for children in the U.S. between ages 0-14 are from firearms.(National Safety Council, "Injury Facts", 1999).
Children in Kansas will die in cruel horrible accident deaths, but mostly not from firearms.
You shouldn't spew such blatantly disfigured facts.
kneejerkreaction (anonymous) says…
50YearResident, I agree the concealed carry law passing is more of a deterrant from the 'unknown' factor than actual use, but sooner or later, criminals will have to be deterred, dead and documented to begiin to make CCW something to reckon with.
overplayedhistory (anonymous) says…
Tough guy's don't need firearms only scared little piss ants do. I would love to see how fast the bald gang member with scares guts you when you reach for your concealed weapon. Are you delta force or something.
kneejerkreaction (anonymous) says…
overplayedhistory (Anonymous) says:
Tough guy's don't need firearms only scared little piss ants do.
*******
ahhhhahahhahaa...moron....only a moron brings a knife to a gunfight.
matahari (anonymous) says…
500 violent crimes reported in Lawrence, more than any other Kansas city except Wichita, Kansas City, Kan., and Topeka.
Gee that's about population proportionate isn't it?
There was one murder and two forcible rapes, up from zero the year before,
AND
Lawrence saw three murders or negligent homicides in 2006, versus two in 2005.
Yea, I'd say that was nearly double.....
kneejerkreaction (anonymous) says…
overplayedhistory (Anonymous) says:
Tough guy's don't need firearms only scared little piss ants do. I would love to see how fast the bald gang member with scares guts you when you reach for your concealed weapon.
*******
And, I would love to see the 115 lb woman blow the top of the bald bikers head among the branches of the nearest sycamore when he reaches for his zipper. (I don't know why I am even acknowledging such a stoooopid comment by commenting myself.)
kneejerkreaction (anonymous) says…
Agree with your analysis spywell. The LJW should figure out how many of the crimes are committed by recently released crims.
458casul (anonymous) says…
and we blame the people ,,fight back and take it over
cooonrod (anonymous) says…
this is the worst thing happening to lawrence!!! our jails are full of dui and pot offenders. wake up. judges need to come down extremely hard on any weapon related offense! period! out of town thugs will take head if they know when they pull a weapon in douglas county mandatory sentence! a person can be driving home after 3 beers and do more time than thug who knifes someone??? does this make any sense??? would you rather live next door to someone with a pot plant in back yard or an idiot with guns and violence???
****fact**** you can stab someone in lawrence and do no jail time. aggravated battery is misdomeanor. can you believe that?
have one big pot plant . felony! time to get tough with these thugs.
**** how many of these 370 aggravated assaults are in jail???****
will guarantee you douglas county jail full of dui offenders and these violent offenders out walking right next to you on the street.
if oj would have had couple pounds of pot he would still be in jail. mandatory sentence couple duis mandatory sentence for posession
come on , if most of these guys running around with weapons ( so cool to flash ) knew they were going to spend time they might leave the gun or knive at home. believe me they know about jail and sentencing. kids think it is cool to be "packin" in a split second decision someone dies. 7 days for second dui.??.. how about 7 days for first offense carring illegal concealed weapon. mandatory year for using a gun or knife . this is not a bar problem, downtown problem, it is a problem of no justice and foolish laws. . go to franklin county and knife someone and you are going to jail. not in liberal lawrence. this is from someone who does not drink and drive or grow pot. i know i could go to jail for these offenses.
msshaden (anonymous) says…
I'm willing to offer a challenge to find out what motivated these crimes. (And I bet rap music won't be near the top of the list). Then the person that didn't think before they typed rap music will get a gold star for submitting the worst comment ever.
doc1 (anonymous) says…
Why doesn't the paper do a study that shows Lawrence's police force is short nearly 50 officers compared to other cities this size.