by Cliff Judy
States surrounding Kansas say the idea casinos bring more crime isn't true. As an August 7th ballot approaches in Sedgwick County, higher crime rates is still one of the main subjects casino opponents rally around.
Two debaters argued several topics including casino crime rates on Thursday afternoon. The debate was hosted by the Wichita Crime Commission, which often holds debates on ballot issues near Election Day.
Eyewitness News wanted to know which side is closer to the truth when it comes to crime rates and casinos.
Kay County, Oklahoma, has four casinos near the Kansas/Oklahoma border. The sheriff says since casinos have opened, his department has only seen more traffic-related crimes like DUI's. He says there's been no increase in any other crimes.
An official with the Missouri Gaming Commission agreed. He says casino opponents brought similar objections in the early 1990's when casinos were trying to come to Missouri.
"They said, 'Oh, there's going to be a significant increase in crime caused by casinos,'" says Clarence Greeno of the MGC, "but the fact is that just has not been realized."
Eyewitness News also wanted to know if there was any change in crime activity once the Wichita Greyhound Park opened in 1989. The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department tracked several crimes from assault to auto theft from 1986 to 1992 at the park. An undersheriff says there was no noticeable change in those crime rates.
