Kentucky is known for its beautiful scenery, bourbon, and horse races. This state is one of the ten worst in the US for violent crime, so it does have a bad side. And there is one town in Kentucky that stands out as being the most dangerous: Pikeville.
Why is Pikeville So Dangerous?
About 7,000 people live in the small town of Pikeville, which is in the eastern part of Kentucky. The county center of Pike County is there. Pike County is next to West Virginia and Virginia. The University of Pikeville is also in Pikeville. It is a private liberal arts college.
The FBI’s Uniform Crime Report says that there were 1,446 violent crimes per 100,000 people in Pikeville in 2023. This is more than four times the national average of 366 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault are all violent crimes. In 2023, there were 10 murders, 21 rapes, 38 thefts, and 79 serious assaults in Pikeville.
A lot of things, like poverty, unemployment, drug abuse, and not getting enough education, lead to Pikeville’s high crime rate. It is more than twice as common in Pike County as it is across the country (11% vs. 27%). In February 2024, the unemployment rate in Pikeville was 9.8%, while the rate across the country was 5.6%. A lot of people in the area also abuse drugs, mostly opioids and methamphetamine. There were 64 drug overdose deaths in Pike County in 2023, more than any other county in Kentucky. A low level of education is also seen in Pikeville, where only 17% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 33% across the country.
What Will Happen Because of the Violence in Pikeville?
The town and region’s health, economy, and quality of life are all hurt by the violence in Pikeville. People in Pikeville are afraid of being robbed, so a lot of them don’t go out at night or to certain places. The residents’ physical and mental health is also affected by the violence. They may get hurt or experience stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental disorders. Violence also makes people less likely to visit, do business, or invest in the area, which hurts the economy and limits growth and development opportunities.
What Are the Solutions to Pikeville’s Violence?
There is no easy or quick solution to Pikeville’s violence, but there are some possible steps that can be taken to address the root causes and reduce the crime rate. Some of these steps are:
Increasing the funding and resources for law enforcement, criminal justice, and victim services, to improve the detection, prevention, and prosecution of violent crimes, and to provide support and protection for the victims.
Expanding the access and availability of drug treatment, mental health, and social services, to help the addicts, the mentally ill, and the disadvantaged, and to prevent them from resorting to crime or becoming targets of crime.
Enhancing the education and employment opportunities for the residents, especially the youth, to provide them with the skills, knowledge, and motivation to pursue productive and fulfilling careers, and to reduce the poverty and inequality that fuel crime.
Promoting the community engagement and involvement of the residents, businesses, schools, churches, and other organizations, to foster a sense of belonging, responsibility, and cooperation, and to create a positive and peaceful environment.
In Conclusion
Pikeville is a town in Kentucky that has the highest violent crime rate in the state, and one of the highest in the country. The violence is caused by a combination of factors, such as poverty, unemployment, drug abuse, and lack of education. The violence has a detrimental effect on the well-being, health, and economy of the town and the region. To reduce the violence, there is a need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach that addresses the underlying issues and provides support and opportunities for the residents. Pikeville can overcome its violence and become a safer and more prosperous place, if there is a will and a way.