South Dakota saw a 6.03 percent decrease in reported criminal offenses in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to the newly released Crime in South Dakota 2025 report.
The annual report recorded 64,261 criminal offenses statewide in 2025, down from 68,388 in 2024. Drug‑related crimes also fell by 6.25 percent, with 6,358 drug offenses reported last year compared to 6,782 in 2024.
Attorney General Marty Jackley said the downward trend demonstrates the state’s continued emphasis on public safety.
“The decrease of crime in South Dakota demonstrates South Dakota remains a safe place to raise a family and how important securing our southern border has been to public safety,” Jackley said. “The partnership at all levels between law enforcement and prosecutors remains strong in our state.”
Serious and Less Serious Crimes Both Declined
More serious offenses categorized as Group A — including homicides, sex offenses, and aggravated assaults — dropped 7.78 percent, falling from 47,403 offenses in 2024 to 43,715 in 2025. Less serious Group B offenses, such as DUIs and disorderly conduct, decreased 2.09 percent, totaling 20,546 in 2025 compared to 20,985 in 2024.
Breakdown of Key Offense Categories
- Homicides: 23 in 2025, down from 32 in 2024
- DUI arrests: 5,356 in 2025, down from 5,548 in 2024
- Burglaries: 1,412 in 2025, down from 1,787 in 2024
- Juvenile arrests: 3,249 in 2025, down from 3,787 in 2024
- Methamphetamine offenses: 2,672 in 2025, down from 3,136 in 2024
- Fentanyl/“other narcotics” offenses: 230 in 2025, down from 398 in 2024
Fewer Assaults on Officers; No Line‑of‑Duty Deaths
The report shows 429 assaults on South Dakota law enforcement officers in 2025, compared to 486 in 2024. No officers were killed in the line of duty in 2025.
You can read the full article at KOTA.