The state was late in reporting full crime statistics to the FBI for the national crime report in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. The following are estimates of Kentucky homicides from the FBI:

2002 — 184

2001 — 191

2000 — 193

1999 — 212

The Kentucky State Police said after the FBI reports were published that there were 188 homicides in 2001, 183 in 2000 and 203 in 1999.

The FBI said the estimates are based on each state's most recent completed data and comparisons with other regional calculations.

Kentucky and Illinois are the only states that did not provide information in 2001 and 2002, according to the FBI's annual report, which police use to identify trends and determine which crime-fighting methods work. The data also are used in awarding crime grants, said FBI spokeswoman Maryvictoria Pyne.

In the FBI report for 2003, only information from Louisville and Lexington was included.

State Police Commissioner Mark Miller said he agrees the information would be useful for crime fighting, but he doesn't believe the backlog has caused problems or affects any federal grants.

Miller said several factors contributed to the delay, including outdated computer equipment, lack of cooperation from police around the state and a shortage of clerks to compile the data by hand.

"Better data will help us to make better decisions," said Miller, whom Gov. Ernie Fletcher appointed three months ago.

But Miller said that if state police need current data, they can review their own records and reach out to police agencies in large cities.

"It's not a perfect picture, but it's a good picture," he said.

Critics said Kentucky's failure to collect such information cripples efforts to recognize crime trends and effectively dispatch officers.

"I had no idea they were that far behind," said William F. Walsh, director of the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville and a 21-year veteran of the New York City Police Department.

"How does one evaluate trends and theories if you are not looking at a good, accurate database of reported crimes? When you look at statewide data, it gives you a perspective on budgeting and planning; it's a reality picture."

Miller said state police have relied on other data sources to keep abreast of crime trends and for planning. For example, he said, state police can use such federal data sources as the Drug Enforcement Administration to get nearly current information on methamphetamine lab seizures.

By asking employees to work double shifts and hiring temporary workers to skirt a state government hiring freeze, state police have completed work on the 2001 report and the 2002 report is under review, Miller said.

Police hope to have the 2003 report available before year's end, Miller said.

Former Kentucky State Police Commissioner and Justice Secretary Ishmon Burks, who was appointed under Gov. Paul Patton, could not be reached for comment.

Fletcher's office did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment on the delay.

The impact of the backlog

Maysville Police Chief Van Ingram said the backlog is more of an inconvenience than a serious problem.

"It's nice to know where you stand as far as crimes goes, but is it crucial information? Not really," said Ingram.

But Daviess County Commonwealth's Attorney Jay Wethington said not having up-to-date crime data hampers decision making.

"In terms of planning, it is a hindrance," said Wethington. "In looking at staff needs and trying to argue for additional staff, it's hard to do if you don't have hard statistics."

He cited the fight against methamphetamine as one example.

Other critics, including some lawmakers, said the collection of data is vital for good police work.

Rep. Tom Burch, D-Louisville, a member of the House Seniors, Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee, said the delays could hamper legislators in allocating resources.

"How are you going to make any decisions when the information is three to four years behind?" Burch asked.

Why it happened

The state police attribute the backlog to several factors:

Some police departments have refused to cooperate. At least 40 police agencies did not file any crime data reports in 2000.

The Kentucky Justice Cabinet is not prepared to force local law enforcement agencies to report their data, said spokesman Chris Gilligan.

Gilligan said the cabinet did not want to be a "burden" on local departments by forcing them to submit crime data.

Some state police clerks resigned or retired and could not be replaced because of a hiring freeze. Later, some temporary employees were added to bridge the gap.

The patchwork reporting system allows data to be submitted in five different formats.

State police clerks are still hand-entering reams of crime information collected from police agencies around the commonwealth into outdated computers.

Fixing the problem

Before Y2K, the state police computer was taken out of service, but officials said they could not afford an immediate replacement system.

"Our first priority is protecting public safety," said Maj. Alecia Edgington, chief information officer in the Technical Services Division.

Edgington said even if police had purchased a Y2K-compliant system in 2000, it would be outdated today.

Hand-compiling the data has been "stressful," Edgington said.

State police have begun distributing software to law enforcement agencies that will let them report crime information and get access to current statewide data.

Miller and Edgington said they hope providing the software will encourage more agencies to take part.

Maysville has purchased new equipment to compile and send immediate information to state police, he said.

But some police chiefs wonder how the new state police system will merge with their current one.

"We have invested quite a bit of money into our own computer system," said Versailles Police Chief Allen Love, a former president of the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police.

Love said Versailles was one of the first departments in Kentucky certified to report data directly to the FBI.

Love said in the absence of immediate statewide crime information, he compares trends and numbers with other departments.

"Having access to crime records is very important," said Love. "It's how you do budgeting and decide what programs to present in schools, but you can't base everything on the numbers."

Courier-Journal

-- Anonymous, September 15, 2004