Wyoming 1965: Crime on the Range

The wide open spaces of Wyoming in 1965 were not immune to the rising tide of crime sweeping across the nation. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, which began collecting data in 1960, Wyoming saw a significant increase in reported crimes compared to the previous year. While specific numbers were not available, it’s clear that crime was on the rise in the Equality State.

Nationally, the 1960s were marked by social upheaval, civil rights protests, and a growing counterculture movement. As the country struggled to come to terms with its changing values, crime rates began to climb. Violent crimes like murder, rape, and robbery gained attention, while property crimes like burglary and larceny continued to plague communities. In Wyoming, law enforcement agencies were faced with the same challenges, struggling to keep pace with the rising tide of crime.

Wyoming’s economy in 1965 was largely driven by the extractive industries of coal, oil, and natural gas. The state’s population was small, with just over 330,000 residents, but the influx of workers from neighboring states and the urbanization of Cheyenne and Casper created pockets of crime-prone areas. As the state’s infrastructure grew, so did the opportunities for thieves, con artists, and other ne’er-do-wells.

The FBI UCR program, which relied on voluntary submissions from law enforcement agencies, reported that the majority of crimes in Wyoming in 1965 were property-related. Burglaries, larcenies, and motor vehicle thefts accounted for the bulk of reported crimes, while violent crimes like murder and rape remained relatively rare. However, as the decade progressed, the trend towards more violent crimes would continue to grow, reflecting the changing social landscape of the nation.

Despite the challenges posed by rising crime rates, the law enforcement agencies in Wyoming worked tirelessly to keep communities safe. From the rugged terrain of the Wyoming Range to the bustling streets of Cheyenne, officers faced unique challenges in maintaining order and upholding the law. As the 1960s drew to a close, the people of Wyoming looked to their law enforcement agencies to keep pace with the changing times, even as crime continued to pose a threat to the state’s peaceful image.