HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Mayor J.R Knight spoke this week at the Kiwanis meeting about his past year in office and his continued efforts as 2024 continues to progress.
One topic Knight brought up was that the for the first time in 13 years, the Hopkinsville Police Department is fully staffed. With a full staff, Police Chief Jason Newby has increased his patrols up to 10 officers on the street at all times. In addition, the department has seized 220 guns and over $208,000 in drug money.
Knight shared his main objectives including continuing his efforts on addressing the community’s drug problem, and an upcoming bid opening on the future fire house, located on Fort Campbell Boulevard. It will service 200 homes that are not currently covered.
In 2023, the City of Hopkinsville increased the number of emergency call boxes along several trails and installed more than 80 new cameras at an additional 39 locations. “We plan on adding more cameras this year so we can watch what happens if something were to happen,” Knight said. “It’s all for safety.”
Knight also mentioned his goal to increase small businesses in the community and to continue cleanup of the city’s vacant and dilapidated lots. “We have over 60 houses we are currently looking at,” Knight said. “If we get them cleaned up, we can get them back on the tax roll.”
Knight ended his year in review with addressing the homelessness problem in the city, and reminding Kiwanians off the Hometown Hero campaign, which will recognize and honor veterans in the county.