In the annual review of crime and workload numbers for the Rapid City Police Department (available on the city’s website), police have marked 2024 as the year with the lowest violent crime in a five-year span. Violent crime incidents are defined as aggravated assault, arson, burglary, homicide, robbery, and sexual assault.
These numbers have been on the decline since 2020, which saw 1,444 of these incidents. In 2024, these incidents totaled at 1,065, a 26% decrease in violent crime over a five-year span. All six categories have seen a decline since 2020, except for sexual assault, which increased by 7 cases when compared to 2020.
Other noteworthy trends include:
- A steady increase in non-motor-vehicle theft reports, which sit at a five-year high at 2,472. The increase is attributed to the RCPD’s Retail Theft Task Force working with area retailers to encourage the timely report of retail theft.
- Theft from motor vehicle declined 54% since 2020, as did the number of vehicles reported stolen (a 31% decrease).
- Most workload statistics have increased since 2020, except for DUI arrests and Drug Arrests at 6% and 36% decreases respectively.
- Total annual calls-for-service the RCPD responded to have increased by 13% over the last five years.
- Citations have increased by 101%, warnings have increased by 92%, reflecting the RCPD’s commitment to proactive traffic enforcement.
- Total annual arrests have increased by 23%.
- The total number of reported accidents increased by 9%, as did total caseload by 2%.
- Total homicides increased by three between 2023 and 2024, but have decreased 33% since 2020.
“I am extremely proud of the work of the men and women of the RCPD,” says Chief of Police Don Hedrick. “These folks go out into their community day-in and day-out to ensure it’s a safe place for everyone to enjoy. Thanks to these tireless efforts, I’m very thankful to be able to report a significant reduction in violent crime over the span of the previous five years.”
“While we’re proud of the efforts we’ve made, our staff remains committed to be proactive in enforcement efforts to curb crime in Rapid City,” says Captain Andy Becker, Commander of the RCPD’s Patrol Division. “These recent proactive efforts have made an immense impact in promoting public safety, with multiple violent offenders, drugs, and guns all being taken off the streets.”