Hopkinsville Police Chief frustrated by the catch-and-release of accused criminals

Hopkinsville Police Chief Jason Newby is frustrated by what he sees as a "lack of assistance from our judges" in regard to keeping the alleged bad guys off the streets.

Newby cited a case from Saturday when 19-year-old Dynarian Day was arrested following an attempted traffic stop that turned into a high-speed pursuit. The pursuit proceeded the wrong way down Ft. Campbell Boulevard before damaging two of the city's police cruisers. Day then fled on foot. He was charged with felony fleeing or evading police, reckless driving, first-degree wanton endangerment, speeding, no driver's license, failure to maintain insurance, and first-degree criminal mischief among other charges.

Chief Newby said that even with that list of charges, Day was released on his own recognizance. Newby said that should be unacceptable to the community. In a statement, he said, "Our officers are doing all they can to serve and protect, we are simply asking for help from the Justice System."


Full statement from Hopkinsville Police Chief Jason Newby:   

"Many citizens want to know why crime continues to thrive in Hopkinsville. Officers with the Hopkinsville Police Department continue to put themselves in harm’s way to protect our citizens, however; we cannot successfully do this alone. For example, as previously reported on June 17th, 2023, the Hopkinsville Police Department arrested 19-year-old Dynarian Day for a number of offenses including felony Fleeing and Evading Police in a Motor Vehicle. After disregarding stop signs, speeding, going the wrong way on Ft. Campbell Blvd, damaging 2 police cruisers, and then fleeing on foot, he was finally caught and lodged in the Christian County Jail. After doing all this, placing officers and the public in danger of serious injury, he was released the same day on his own recognizance.
This lack of assistance from our Judges should not be acceptable from anyone in our community. As the Chief of the Hopkinsville Police Department, I am publicly asking the Judges for their help in keeping those that endanger our community in jail. I understand not everyone that is arrested can remain in jail however; when it comes to releasing those that display this type of behavior with no regard for the safety of others, back into the community on their own recognizance, the very same day of their offense, is not acceptable.
Our officers are doing all they can to serve and protect, we are simply asking for help from the Justice System."
-Chief of Police, Jason Newby