Safety first in Kimball

Kimball was recently named among the top 10 safest cities in Nebraska by Consumer Affairs based on data collected from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the national Census Bureau, though just 40 Nebraska communities were involved in the study.

"I don't think Kimball has ever made the top 10 safest cities in Nebraska, so this is huge for the Kimball Police Department," Kimball Police Chief Darren Huff said.

Local data originates in each community, and though both the Kimball County Sheriff's Office and the Kimball Police Department report to Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR), the information that was used for the report came directly from the Kimball Police Department which was then forwarded to the FBI.

Huff explained that infractions, such as traffic stops are also not included in the reports, instead it is focused on criminal activity, and the focus of the recent study was on violent crimes, specifically burglaries.

Kimball County Sheriff Harry Gillway added that as departments report to UCR they have the opportunity to review their own data, but they receive no feedback.

"We (KCSO) have to report traffic stops, homicides, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, larceny, auto theft and arson," Gillway added. "This is when there is a victim but the report does not take into consideration drug violations."

According to the data analyzed, Kimball residents' odds of being the victim of a burglary is 1:602, though the report also states an increase in burglary rates of 100 percent in 2015. A fact that is due to the rash of vehicles and homes burglarized in a few short weeks last year, according to Huff.

The study further concludes that Kimball's crime rate is 17.45 per 1,000 residents, with .12 crimes committed daily.

Along with reports on crime statistics the report further explores the number of law enforcement officers and civilians available to residents through local departments. Civilians include, but are not limited to, jailers, clerks, dispatchers, and other employees within the department that are not sworn law enforcement officers.

Kimball's numbers for that area are the highest in the top 10 cities at 33.24 per 10,000 with the national average at 22.88 police officers per 10,000 population.

"This is a huge accomplishment for the City of Kimball's law enforcement and the determination that we have made to make Kimball a safer community in our state," Kimball Police Chief Darren Huff said. "I would first attribute this to all of the hard work that our officers and City/County attorneys put forth every day to ensure law and order are kept. Secondly, I would attribute this to stricter enforcement and tougher prosecution of laws."

Huff issued a note of thanks to all of those dedicated to the safety of the community, "A huge thank you to you for all that you do in keeping the City of Kimball safe and secure. You all have proven to me time and time again that you have the best interest in mind for our community and now this is the opportunity to show your labors have fulfilled the public's trust. Great job!"

Both Huff and Gillway agree that the high rating of the community can be attributed to increased faith and communication between the public and law enforcement.

"I think we do live in a safe community and public awareness is better than ever before so people are reporting more readily to prevent crime," Gillway added.

Congratulations to the community too, for their collaboration with the Police Department," Huff said. "More people are making reports and getting involved and that speaks volumes for our people. We hope to continue building that relationship."