South Dakota in 1932: Crime on the Rise

South Dakota in 1932 was a state on the brink. The Great Depression had gripped the nation, leaving widespread poverty and desperation in its wake. As a result, crime rates across the country were on the rise, with violent offenses like burglary and larceny leading the way. According to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, which began collecting data in 1930, South Dakota was no exception.

The most significant crime trend in South Dakota in 1932 was the increase in property crimes. With the collapse of the economy, people were turning to desperate measures to survive, and burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft were becoming increasingly common. The UCR program reported that these types of crimes were on the rise nationally, with many states seeing significant increases in property offenses.

Nationally, the FBI UCR program reported that burglary was the leading offense in 1932, accounting for nearly 30% of all reported crimes. Larceny and motor vehicle theft were also among the top five offenses, with many states seeing significant increases in these types of crimes. In South Dakota, property crimes like burglary and larceny were particularly prevalent, with many residents turning to these offenses as a means of survival.

The rise in crime rates in South Dakota in 1932 was also attributed to the state’s location on the Great Plains. With the Dust Bowl ravaging the region, many farmers and ranchers were struggling to make ends meet, leading to increased poverty and desperation. This, in turn, led to an increase in crime rates, as people turned to desperate measures to survive.

Despite the rise in crime rates, the FBI UCR program reported that violent crimes like murder and assault were actually decreasing nationally in 1932. However, this trend was not reflected in South Dakota, where violent crimes like homicide and assault remained a significant concern. The state’s small population and rural nature made it particularly vulnerable to the effects of the Great Depression, and crime rates reflected this.