The Parsons Annual report for 2021 has been released with data compiled from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) Crime in Kansas Report.

"2021 was a safer year in Parsons even with the crime challenges that face Southeast Kansas" according to Lieutenant Jason Ludwig. Ludwig is responsible for gathering data for the Annual Report.

Starting this year, the Parsons Police Annual report compliment the release of the KBI Crime in Kansas Report which is usually published in August. The KBI Report this year wasn't published until September.

In past years, the local report was published early in the year without the KBI number being available. This then required an update later in the year to include the KBI data. Each crime report taken by the PPD is sent to the KBI for auditing and quality control. KBI then classifies the specific incident to its proper crime classification building the state's crime data.

"This year's Annual Report has 5 full pages dedicated to UCR data and to show that our per capita crime rate is the lowest it has been since 2014. Violent crime is the lowest it has been since 2016 and property crime is the lowest it has been since 2018. If that wasn't enough to get you excited about the positivity of the department the total crime numbers show that 2021 is the lowest amount of total crime reported since we started collecting data in 2003. As I have mentioned in the past, our population has a lot to do with the way the crime statistics are calculated. I wish I was able to say that our population is climbing, and crime was going down, but I can't. Crime is going down and that is a positive, but our population is also declining. The biggest takeaways are that we are doing our best to partner with citizens to reduce crime. This report shows that 2021 was a good year. We can only hope that 2022 also brings good news," according to Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks.

Other Highlights in 2021 include:

•     Aggravated Assaults declined
•     Rapes declined
•     Arsons were down
•     Burglaries fell
•     Thefts decreased
•     Only Auto thefts increased
•     864 traffic citations were issued from 1,284 traffic stops
•     There was an uptick in crashes with 168 in 2021 from 137 in 2020

The 2021 Annual Report covers 30 pages of information that shows as much transparency to the community stakeholders as possible. There are sections for every division in the department and a summary of how 2021 rolled out.  We have added information about the K-9 Program and its success with Corporal Kyle Shields and K-9 Karim. We have updated our use of force data and professional accountability as well as addressing animal control issues.

Parsons Police has seen a drop in the crime reports taken from 2,088 in 2020 down to 1,993 in 2021 but have had an increase in overall calls for service from 18,782 in 2020 to 25,626 in 2021. That is almost 7,000 more calls for service for the year and it was done with less staff than we have had historically. We had a huge jump in our dispatch phone calls as well, handling 34,724 administrative calls and 1,935 emergency 911 calls.

Spinks said, "I am very pleased with the results that are displayed in the Annual Report and the KBI statistics. This shows that as a professional department and a progressive city we are on the right track. Our agency takes an occasional unfounded jab from social media trolls who may have nothing positive to say about the Department, my staff, or the City of Parsons. Having accurate crime and service data highlight the hard work of staff. We have lost officers to other agencies and private industry for higher wages and better benefits. That also hurts morale. This domino effect hurts overall all performance in most agencies, but Parsons is unique. This year's Annual Report shows that even at the crisis level staffing we are at currently facing, we are still being proficient at our jobs."

Deputy Chief Dennis Dodd said, "I am really excited that the numbers for 2021 were so good. It is easy for us, as administrators, to see what a great job that our officers and staff have done. It is even better to display and showcase that success to the community. This positive report to the community has very little to do with police administration, but has everything to do with the men and women of the department that keep it together under stress, mandatory overtime and in the face of danger. I am proud to be a part of such a wonderful organization and continue to look toward the bright future the department has in store. I think that as an organization we can make anything possible."

The 2021 Annual Report will be available online at www.parsonspd.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and NextDoor.com for more information.

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