RAPID CITY,S.D.(KOTA)- The Rapid City Police Department released their annual crime statistics report for the 2020 calendar year, and saw notable increases in rates of homicide and theft.

Brendyn Medina, community relations specialist for the Rapid City Police Department said

homicides doubled over 2019’s count, which is believed to be related to substance abuse.

Along with that, Rapid City saw nearly a forty percent increase in burglaries, which Medina said could be tied to the pandemic.

Despite this, there was a lower rate of arrests and calls for service, also likely tied to the pandemic Medina said.

Officers during the height of the pandemic were given much more freedom regarding when and if they would engage in law

enforcement activities like traffic stops.