In Boone County and across Arkansas, one issue continues to rise to the top of every conversation with families, teachers, business owners, and law enforcement: the fight against drugs and crime. While our community is strong and resilient, the reality is that addiction, property crime, and drug trafficking are taking a toll on our neighborhoods. If we want our children to have a safe place to grow up, this fight must remain a top priority.
The Current Reality
The numbers speak for themselves. Boone County experiences an overall crime rate of 41.9 incidents per 1,000 residents, placing it as less safe than 77% of counties in the United States. While our violent crime rate is lower than average, our property crime rate is 67% higher than national averages according to Crime Explorer, link posted. (Crime Explorer).
The primary driver of this problem is drugs — methamphetamine, opioids, and especially fentanyl. Law enforcement across Arkansas has reported record-breaking fentanyl seizures in the last two years, and Boone County officers face a growing risk of being unknowingly exposed to deadly substances during traffic stops or arrests. A single grain of fentanyl can be life-threatening. These dangers affect not just addicts but also officers, first responders, and entire families.
Why This Fight Matters
This is not just about numbers — it’s about people.
- It’s about the parent who worries every day that drugs will reach their child at school.
- It’s about the teacher who sees the impact of addiction on students’ behavior and learning.
- It’s about the business owner who locks up every tool, machine, or piece of equipment because theft has become too common.
- And it’s about the officer who risks their life daily confronting crime and dangerous substances to keep our neighborhoods safe.
Drugs and crime weaken the very fabric of our community. They strain our schools, overload our courts, harm our economy, and erode the sense of safety that every family deserves.
How We Fix the Problem
Fighting drugs and crime requires a balanced approach of accountability, prevention, and community support. Here’s how we move forward:
- Stronger Law Enforcement Support
- Ensure Boone County officers have the resources and training they need.
- Push for state funding for protective equipment and overdose prevention tools.
- Tougher penalties for fentanyl trafficking and violent repeat offenders.
- Expand Recovery & Drug Court Programs
- Addiction is a disease that destroys families, and not everyone can break free alone.
- Strengthen local drug court programs that give offenders a chance to recover instead of revolving back into crime.
- Partner with churches and nonprofits to expand rehabilitation services.
- Education & Prevention for Youth
- Equip schools with drug education programs rooted in reality, not fear tactics.
- Support after-school programs, vocational training, and mentorship so teens have real alternatives to drugs and crime.
- Community Partnerships
- Involve families, pastors, teachers, and local leaders in prevention and recovery.
- Build community events and coalitions that unite law enforcement with neighborhoods to address root issues together.
A Safer Future for Boone County
The fight against drugs and crime is not optional — it is essential for the future of District 5. This isn’t just about policy; it’s about protecting our families, honoring our law enforcement, and giving our children the chance to grow up in safe neighborhoods.
As your representative, I will work tirelessly to support law enforcement, strengthen recovery programs, and build stronger families so we can turn the tide. Together, we can make Boone County a place where crime rates fall, families feel secure, and our kids can dream big without fear of what waits outside their front doors.