GLASGOW, Ky. — Drug offenses, assaults and thefts were among the crimes reported most frequently by law enforcement agencies in Barren County during 2025, according to the Kentucky State Police’s annual Crime in Kentucky report.

The report compiles crimes reported by law enforcement agencies across the state through the National Incident-Based Reporting System. It includes offenses handled by local police departments, sheriff’s offices, state police and specialized agencies.

Among local agencies, the Glasgow Police Department reported the highest number of Group A offenses, serious crimes tracked under the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System, which includes detailed reporting on incidents such as assault, burglary and drug violations.

Glasgow Police Department reported 1,146 offenses. The Barren County Sheriff’s Office reported 308 offenses, followed by the Kentucky State Police with 138, Cave City Police Department with 88, and the Barren River Drug Task Force with 25.

Smaller totals were reported by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources and Kentucky State Park Rangers.

Drug offenses among most common crimes

Drug and narcotic offenses represented one of the largest categories handled by local agencies. Glasgow police reported 392 drug offenses, while the sheriff’s office reported 18, Cave City police reported 31, the Barren River Drug Task Force reported 21, and Kentucky State Police reported 54.

Methamphetamine, drug equipment and marijuana-related offenses accounted for the majority of drug activity in 2025, with other substances appearing in comparatively small numbers.

Glasgow Police Maj. Terry Flatt said the department continues to take a proactive enforcement approach to drug activity, often working jointly with the Barren County Drug Task Force.

He said substance addiction, family issues at home or work, and stress often relate back to mental health issues

“We are able to work jointly with the Barren County Drug Task Force and be very proactive in enforcing all drug-related laws within our community,” Flatt said.

Flatt said overdoses involving pills, methamphetamine and fentanyl remain an ongoing concern and encouraged residents to report suspected drug activity.

“We continue to be proactive against drugs, and we encourage everyone to keep reporting drug activity to our tip line or any officer,” he said.

Assaults lead reported crime in the county

Assault offenses also accounted for a significant share of reported crime. Glasgow police reported 228 assault offenses, the sheriff’s office reported 90, Cave City police reported 19, and Kentucky State Police reported 38.

Sheriff Kent Keen said assault cases make up the largest share of the sheriff’s office’s workload, a trend he attributes to the agency’s larger, predominantly rural patrol area.

“We have a much more rural patrol area with a considerably less amount of retail stores and businesses so that cuts other call types of services down that the city responds to,” Keen said.

Overall, assault crimes for the agency have declined since 2021 and have since leveled off, with 90 reported cases in both 2024 and 2025.

Calls for service vary widely, Keen said, ranging from loose livestock to thefts and assaults. When the agency sees an increase in a particular type of crime or calls in a specific area, deputies often increase patrols there.

Keen also noted that crime tends to increase during the warmer months as people become more active.

Together, these categories accounted for the bulk of Group A offenses reported across agencies in 2025.

Thefts remain a common offense category

Theft offenses were another common category. Glasgow police reported 241 larceny and theft offenses, the sheriff's office reported 74, Cave City police reported 12, and Kentucky State Police reported 2.

The report also shows Glasgow police investigated 80 reports of property damage or vandalism, 37 fraud offenses, 30 burglaries, 17 robberies and 17 sex offenses during the year.

Statewide, Kentucky reported 207,189 Group A offenses in 2025, an 8.1% decrease from the previous year. Drug offenses, burglaries, robberies and homicides all declined statewide, while reported sex offenses and kidnapping cases increased.

Read the full report here. Previous reports are also available online.