Crime in South Dakota 2016 Publication Released

Local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies have continued to cooperate and strengthen efforts to fight crime in South Dakota.

“The crime statistics reflect that, overall, South Dakota remains a safe place to live as a result of strong community involvement and law enforcement efforts. Many categories of crime, including murder, rape, and sexual offenses were down in 2016. However, the national drug epidemic continues to impact overall crime in South Dakota, with drug offense alone increasing 12.5% in 2016,” reported Attorney General Marty Jackley.

“Law enforcement agencies are aggressively fighting crime in South Dakota,” said Jackley. “Local, county and state agencies in our state have added over three hundred more certified officers since 2007, which has also resulted in more arrests to keep our neighborhoods and cities safe.”

South Dakota law enforcement agencies reported a total of 42,200 arrests involving 75,778 offenses in 2016. The more serious crimes included a total of 19,577 arrests and involve the following: Murder (1st and 2nd Degree)-21, sex offenses-96, assault-4,791, larceny/theft-2,918, fraud-557, drug/narcotic-7,671, prostitution-19, kidnapping-51, robbery-61, arson-13, burglary-362, motor vehicle theft-273, counterfeiting-98, embezzlement-40, stolen property-154, destruction of property-488, pornography/obscene material-24, solicitation of a minor-44 and weapon law violations-248. Less serious crimes totaled 22,623 arrests, involving the following, but not limited to DUI-6,606, liquor law violations-2,636 and disorderly conduct-2,286.

The crime report is compiled by the Attorney General’s Criminal Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) and is the most accurate and comprehensive compilation of South Dakota criminal statistics as it reflects the actual arrest and reporting information by South Dakota law enforcement. Criminal statistics help identify trends in criminal activity that assists in crime prevention and enforcement efforts across South Dakota.

Some examples of the South Dakota numbers included an increase in arrests for drug offenses from 6,818 in 2015 to 7,671 reported in 2016 and thefts totaling more than $30 million worth of property crime lost reported.