Yesterday, the Rapid City Police Department released crime and activity data within Rapid City’s jurisdiction. They were happy to report that 2024 is consistent with a recent downward trend in crime.
Surprisingly, the RCPD received negative feedback from social media users, some of whom expressed disbelief, with some even accusing the department of lying about the crime trends.
But is it surprising? Unfortunately not.
I have yet to find anyone who claims 2020 was the country’s best year on record; conversely, many claim it was the worst. There’s no doubt about it—2020 brought many challenges, but perhaps none as significant as those related to distrust of government and, more accurately, wholesale cynicism.
Part of me understands why people might have a hard time believing that crime can be down. During a simpler time, prior to every family having internet access, there was limited space for news coverage—a limited number of pages in the newspaper and a limited number of stories that could run in a half-hour news program.
Today, the capacity for news (and I use that term lightly) to reach your TV, computer or handheld device is virtually limitless. You have the opportunity to consume more news today than ever before. Much of this news is negative in nature: such as crime in the city or political division. This not necessarily good for you.
Based on 2020 and the few years following, many perceive that the world is well on its way to “Hell in a handbasket.” When data, such as that released by the RCPD, conflicts with the cynic’s perception, they may choose perception over reality. I believe this is a psychological misstep and the fuel that feeds rumors and conspiracy theories.
Keep this in mind: your perception is filtered through your many biases. Reality—in this case, data from reliable sources—has no filters and is presented to you as a matter of fact. Not everyone is not lying to you.
Believe it or not, crime is trending downward. People in Rapid City are blessed with highly professional law enforcement agencies, including the Rapid City Police Department, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, as well as other state and federal agencies.
If you want to learn more about crime in your city, perhaps you could become a part of the solution. There are always job openings within law enforcement organizations, and I know from experience they would welcome your interest and application. At the very least, consider enrolling in the RCPD’s Citizens Police Academy. There, you will get an in-depth look at the problems they face, behind-the-scenes operations and many other interesting aspects of the law enforcement profession.
Until then, the men and women who are giving the best years of their lives to protect you and your loved ones deserve your support.
Our communities are divided: politics, gender, capitalism, socialism, and the list goes on. One major cause is the unwillingness of people to seek out facts.
The Other 98 Cents 