North Dakota City Police See Increase in Crimes

Dickinson, N.D., police say the workload in its criminal investigations unit has risen dramatically in the last year.

Sgt. Dave Wilkie told city commissioners that the unit has seen a 400 percent increase in burglary investigations over the last year. He said assault and sex offense cases are up by at least 300 percent, and property crime probes have increased more than 200 percent.

Dickinson Mayor Dennis Johnson says an increase in crime is one of the negative aspects of an oil boom and says the city has been increasing its police staff.

The Dickinson Press reports that the investigations unit has handled nearly 600 cases this year.