By the Numbers: Crime Statistics

As we work to achieve our shared goal to be a community where all people feel safe and secure with access to trusted public and community-based safety resources, the Lawrence Kansas Police Department keeps track of our progress through several measurements.

Here, we begin with crime. Nationally, crimes are separated into several different categories called Group A Person, Property, and Society Crimes and Group B crimes. (See Crime Statistics 2020-2024 chart and Group A Crimes First Quarter 2025.)

Crime Statistics 2020-2024

Group A Offenses

Crimes Against Persons Homicide, Kidnapping, Assault/Battery, Rape, Fondling, Incest, Sodomy, Intimidation

Group B

Bad Checks, DUI, Drunkenness, Trespassing, Disorderly Conduct, Family Offenses, Liquor Violations, All Other

Crimes Against Property

Arson, Theft, Burglary, Bribery, Embezzlement, Forgery, Extortion, Criminal Damage, Robbery, Fraud

Crimes Against Society

Drugs, Drug Paraphernalia, Obscene Material, Gambling, Weapons Violations, Prostitution

Since 2020, you can see the most noticeable drop comes in property crimes, falling from 4,631 in 2020 to 3,806 in 2024. There is also a slight decrease in person crimes. Group B crimes show an increase from 1,215 to 1,687.

Law enforcement professionals also work to understand the meaning behind the numbers.  Sometimes a change in crime statistics can correlate with staffing changes, population changes, or just fewer people reporting criminal activity. It’s important to look for trends in combination with other changes. Even the weather can show sharp increases or decreases in criminal activity. Crime can increase in the spring and decrease during frigid months.

LKPD works to guide progress not only through crime numbers but also in the way we interact with members of the community who find themselves involved in the criminal justice system.  The goal is always to prevent crime by partnering with professional agencies in the community, educating people on what can decrease the chances of becoming a crime victim, and just getting to know our neighbors. Once a crime does occur, it’s essential to follow up and provide resources.

Perceptions of safety can vary by race, socioeconomic status, and gender, so impartial police training is required at LKPD. Some of the more emotionally difficult crimes involve domestic and sexual violence, so tracking our referral rate to community-based resources is important, and using civilian professionals within the department helps ensure it’s done using industry-specific best practices. One of the main goals of connecting people who experience domestic violence with community resources is to assist people in making the necessary changes to avoid the pervasive cycle of domestic violence.

Sometimes, just because a person calls 911, an officer response isn’t needed. Thanks to our partnership with the Harvard Kennedy School’s Government Performance Lab, we’re working with the foremost experts to increase our ability to respond to calls with alternative resources. It’s not only more efficient but also better service for situations that may not call for a law enforcement officer.

Throughout this and future Lawrence Journal World quarterly reports, you’ll see charts that show some of the indicators we watch to check our progress so we can continually work to police our community the way we all believe it wants to be policed.