Violent crime numbers highlight law-enforcement challenges

Gun violence has been in the headlines often recently in Kansas. Lawmakers learned this week that it’s taking a toll on law enforcement.

Multiple types of violent crime are on the rise in the state. Murders were up 46 percent over two years. Robberies were up 26 percent, rape 11 percent.

Members of the Joint Committee on Kansas Security learned that the KBI has focused on the most serious crimes and not taken over many local cases of white-collar crime, unless it involves a public official.

There were nearly 100 KBI agents funded in 2009-10; there are now 74. Overtime since 2012 has increased eight-fold in five years, to more than $300,000. A KBI executive officer told the committee that agents are overworked.

The solution, of course, is more money for overtime and hiring agents. But KBI needs will join a group of many other parts of state government needing funding help.

This story was originally published October 5, 2017 at 10:17 AM with the headline "Violent crime numbers highlight law-enforcement challenges."