By Laura Ray/For The Sentinel
MURRAY – Murray continues to uphold its reputation as an incredibly safe town with crime rates reaching their lowest point in five years. At the Jan. 9 Murray City Council meeting, Murray Police Chief Samuel Bierds announced a remarkable 16.77% reduction in overall crime from 2023 to 2024.
“Murray has an incredibly low crime rate; however, 2024 was an excellent year,” he said.
In sharing the Murray Police Department’s (MPD) uniform crime reporting (UCR) data, Bierds highlighted the following improvements as part of his annual report to the council. Weapon offenses were down nearly 85% year-over-year, from 13 to two. Murder and non-negligent manslaughter numbers were also down from a total of six cases in 2023 to just one in 2024, an 83% decrease. Fraud cases also dropped by 56%, while forgery and counterfeiting, sexual offenses (not including forcible rape) and the sales/manufacturing of marijuana all dropped by half.
Bierds attributed these successes to the department’s reorganization in 2024, which optimized officer scheduling with 12-hour shifts, allowing officers to have more days off per year and maximizing the number of officers on patrol at one time. As of Jan. 1, the department has embraced technology by transitioning to a digital records system, reducing paper usage by 95% along with cost and waste.
Driving under the influence (DUI) enforcement remains robust, with officers making 86 DUI arrests in 2024. Bierds noted that two officers alone were responsible for 42 of these arrests, with 21 each. Alcohol-related calls – tracked rigorously in 2024 – totaled 1,688, further highlighting the proactive efforts of law enforcement.
Working with the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, the MPD brought the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program to fifth graders at Murray Middle School in 2024. This year’s plans include training an additional officer and expanding the program to more schools.
Council members raised questions about response times and personnel retention. Bierds noted that retention remains a concern with the department below its authorized staffing level, which he attributed partly to funding and diminished interest in the profession. Bierds said the department “probably could” track response time, although calls can be “stacked” sometimes, based on priority.
In conclusion, Bierds expressed gratitude to the council and the mayor for their “commitment and support legislatively and financially.”
The Murray Fire Department (MFD) also presented encouraging updates. Fire Chief Eric Pologruto highlighted advancements, including an improved Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating from class 3 to class 2, thanks to enhanced training programs he attributed to Assistant Fire Chief Eric Phelps.
The department will soon receive a $2 million ladder truck, funded primarily through grants and state assistance, with a delivery expected in June. Both the mayor and fire chief stressed the importance of Murray having a ladder truck to serve tall buildings, such as dorms, if necessary. Pologruto also mentioned the fire engine company truck that was ordered over two years ago is scheduled to arrive at the end of this month.
When council member Terry Strieter asked if MFD had an adequate number of personnel right now, Pologruto noted challenges in staffing for large-scale fires. He also mentioned the eventual need for a third station to accommodate the city’s western expansion.
In other business, a declaration of surplus property was approved, with proceeds earmarked for the police department. Also, the council approved several measures during the meeting. The first resolution of the year was approved to apply for up to $250,000 in Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation (GRANT) Program funds for a welcome center at Central Park.
Council members were appointed to committees, including the Public Safety Committee chaired by Wesley Bolin and the Park Committee chaired by Johnny Bohannon. City officials were also appointed to boards and commissions: Community Theatre (Jeremy Bell), Electric Plant Board (Danny Hudspeth), Human Rights Commission (Linda Cherry), and Weaks Community Center (Alice Rouse).
As crime rates decline and public safety departments expand their capabilities, the City of Murray is poised for a promising year ahead. The next council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Council meetings are also available to watch live on Murray Electric channel 10 and Spectrum channel 381.
