SIOIUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - South Dakota saw a twelve percent increase in the most serious type of crime last year and Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead says a common denominator is guns and drugs.
Milstead says there's no such thing as a low risk drug offender. He says even the average joe-drug user is high risk.
He say methamphetamine use has exploded in the midwest and heroin wasn't nearly as prevalent five years ago as it is now.
He says most drug dealers are armed and aren't afraid to resort to violence of any kind to preserve their street business.
Milstead says citizens must be observant, call CrimeStoppers, volunteer as a drug court mentor and keep cars, garages and homes locked.
He says the only way to stem the increase in violent crime is if the citizenry and law enforcement work together to draw a line and says this activity will not succeed in our community.