RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office proudly presents third quarter statistics for 2025. Besides motor vehicle thefts, other crime categories are down from the same time in 2024.
“Motor vehicle thefts ebb and flow and are still a relatively small number in Pennington County,” says Patrol Captain Kraig Wood. “We urge citizens to do their part in preventing theft by locking vehicles. Also a reminder not to leave guns in vehicles.”
There was a small increase in reported overdoses in the third quarter of 2025, but a decline in fatal overdoses. “Drug use is still an issue in Pennington County,” explains Captain of Investigations Taylor Sperle. “We continue to work tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle the drug trafficking organizations bringing illegal drugs into our community.”
Statistics at the Care Campus continue to reflect the Sheriff’s strategy of decreasing Safe Beds, by increasing Detoxification services for the homeless and addicted. “Analyzing our admission history, we see benefit in increasing detoxification services and outreach to try to incentivize real change in this population,” says Care Campus Director Tony Verchio. “It’s a more appropriate hand-up versus hand-out philosophy.”
“We constantly look at crime statistics in Pennington County to ensure we stay focused on the needs of the community,” says Sheriff Brian Mueller. “Our team remains laser focused on reducing violent crime in the area and creative solutions for addressing the issues surrounding drug and alcohol addiction.
