Public Safety

Well-trained, responsive police, fire and rescue units operate extensively in the Northern Kentucky area.

Thanks to the efforts of more than 775 full-time law-enforcement and civilian employees, Northern Kentucky has one of the lowest crime rates in the nation. The Northern Kentucky Disaster and Emergency Response Team is trained and ready for all emergency situations.

Emergency Services

The 911 emergency telephone service has been available throughout Northern Kentucky since 1988; public safety units in the Tri-state area cooperate extensively in emergency situations.

Police

The Northern Kentucky region (Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties) has nearly 700 full-time law enforcement and civilian employees. With an average of 2 officers for every 1,000 residents, Northern Kentucky has one of the lowest crime rates in the nation. The Kentucky State Police publish an annual report, Crime in Kentucky, that provides complete information for all regions within the Commonwealth.

• Violent crime rate is the combined incidence of murder, rape, robbery, and assault per 100,000 residents per year.
• Change in violent crime rate reflects the percentage growth or (decrease) in violent crime rates.
• Property crime rate or nonviolent crime rate, is the combined incidence of burglary, theft, and auto theft.
• Change in property crime reflects the percentage growth or (decrease) in property crime rates.

Fire

ISO (Insurance Service Office) ratings for Northern Kentucky communities range from a III through a V for incorporated areas and VI through IX for unincorporated areas.

The fire department service providers are made up of paid and volunteer staff. Every community has taken necessary steps to provide adequate fire, ambulance, and police protection.. All other communities provide rapid response through assisted services provided by neighboring departments.

Rescue

Notification for emergency services are by Enhanced 911 service through the communities’ communications centers. The average medical response time for emergencies in incorporated areas is five minutes. Unincorporated communities are under agreement with other local departments to co-respond to calls. Private companies also provide advanced life support services. Financing for life support services is included in local taxes.

Homeland Security

Public Safety: Emergency Response Team

The Northern Kentucky Disaster and Emergency Response team prepares for all emergency functions, other than functions for which military forces are primarily responsible, to prevent, minimize, and repair injury and damage resulting from:

• Fire
• Enemy or terrorists attack
• Energy shortages or power failure
• Explosion
• Flood
• Other natural or human caused disasters such as riots, tornadoes, or transportation emergencies

These functions include, without limitation:

• Ambulance services
• Communications
• Decontamination and neutralization
• Evacuation
• Firefighting services
• Medical and health services
• Police services
• Radiological, chemical and other monitoring
• Search and rescue
• Temporary restoration of utility services

All other functions related to effective reaction to a disaster or an emergency situation are also included.