Violent crime in S.D. continues downward trend

Across the board, crime rates improve over four-year period

Photo by Max Fleischmann on Unsplash

The number of murders recorded in South Dakota in 2023 continued to fall, registering a precipitous decline since 2020, Attorney General Marty Jackley’s office reported Wednesday.

South Dakota saw 18 murders in 2023, down from 22 in 2022 and 37 in 2020 – a reduction of more than 50 percent in four years.

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It wasn’t just murders. Violent crime across the spectrum saw declines. Rapes were down 32 percent and robberies 24 percent since 2020. All violent crimes over that four-year period were down nearly 20 percent. All crime was down nearly 18 percent over the last four years.

“Law enforcement statewide has been proactive and diligent in fighting crime, and those efforts are working,” said Attorney General Marty Jackley. “Not only is law enforcement focusing on violent crimes, but also the prevention and enforcement on drug crimes involving methamphetamine and fentanyl.”

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