By Trish Svoboda

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has released its 2023 Statewide Crime Statistical Report. This report is based on crime statistics reported to the KBI by state and local law enforcement agencies.

The report comes from standard offense and arrest reports submitted to the Kansas Incident Based Reporting System, which is dependent on victims reporting crimes and law enforcement agencies submitting the incident report to the KBI.

In 2023 Clay County had a total of 97 crime offenses reported in 2023, with 14 reports from the Sheriff’s office, 82 reports from the Clay Center Police Department, and 1 report from the Wakefield Police Department.

Of the 97 total crime reports, 21 were considered violent crime offenses, to include: murder, rape, robbery, or assault/battery. Of the 21 violent offenses 14 were reported by the Clay Center Police Department, and the other 7 by the Sheriff’s Office.

The remaining 76 crimes reported were considered property crimes, to include: burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft. One case of arson was also reported in Clay County.