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The regularly scheduled Winchester-Clark County Chamber of Commerce breakfast took place on Wednesday, March 26, at the Winchester Police Department’s main location, 16 S. Maple Street. It welcomed many prominent citizens and business owners from the Clark County community. 

“I tell people all the time, this is your police department. We’re here to serve you,” said Winchester Police Department Chief Travis Thompson. “[With] anything that we can do for you, please just let us know.” 

As is common, Winchester-Clark County Chamber of Commerce Cindy Banks welcomed all and took the time to recognize many different individuals. 

As is also common, a raffle took place, with several local business owners able to take home prizes. 

During the event, guests dined on food items such as scrambled eggs, sausage, hashbrowns, and more. 

However, most of the breakfast focused on the ongoing developments with the Winchester Police Department. 

“In 2024, we were just north of 50,000 calls for service. That’s just for the Winchester Police Department,” said Chief Thompson. “Communications handled quite a bit more than that because they handled [the] Sheriff’s Office and county fire [department] as well….it’s a busy building [with] a lot going on.” 

Chief Thompson also explained what the department is doing to address certain problematic issues, such as drugs and mental health – sometimes going together. 

“I’m in a meeting every week with a lot of people that are in this room, and we’re fighting that on a daily basis and trying to do what we can to combat it,” he said. “That’s not going to stop. We will stay after it.” 

Future plans were also addressed. 

“The next big thing [is] the mayor and I have been working with [the] city manager and trying to find a piece of property to build a new police department,” he said. “We’re going to keep our fingers crossed and hopefully stumble into something.” 

Statistically, Chief Thompson also mentioned that crime numbers were down in 2024. 

While the department recently lost Abe, a six-year-old golden doodle who served as Winchester/Clark County Public Schools Therapy Dog, it has the services of a seven-year-old Belgian Malinois named Jensik. 

“He’s a full patrol dog…he’s an absolutely beautiful animal,” Thompson added. “[He’s] already gotten a lot of dope off the street.” 

Thompson spoke of the advantages of flock cameras, which have been very helpful in assisting the department with investigations. 

Winchester Mayor JoEllen Reed expressed her gratitude for the Winchester Police Department. 

“These guys and gals don’t always get thanked enough,” she said, also expressing thanks to those in attendance. “They’re out there every day on the street, walking up to cars, not knowing what’s going to meet them on the other end of that car.” 

Current Clark County Deputy Judge Executive Jim Tipton, who spent 36 years as a police officer, also spoke. 

“I’ve been all over the state of Kentucky. We’re very fortunate to have the police department in this community,” he said. “I’ll work with them any way I can.” 

Chief Thompson provided his thoughts on serving as an officer for the community. 

“We’re very blessed…this community supports these officers,” Thompson said. “It’s very difficult for us to go out and have a meal that’s not taken care of by this community.”