Rapid City, S.D. (KELO) — The Rapid City Police Department is seeing more calls of service towards the Star Village area recently for reports of gunshots.
People who live in this central Rapid City neighborhood are familiar with police.
“I usually wake up at about 5:30 in the morning and usually see my first cop at about 6:00 a.m. And I go to bed around 8:00 p.m. but they’re still coming up here late at night, going after people and it’s just very unsettling,” Star Village Resident Katy Taylor said.
Katy Taylor has lived in Star Village since 2019.
“The crime rate has increased significantly up here which is probably ten times worse now than when I first moved in,” Taylor said.
“What we’re getting is more calls about loud gunfire. So obviously we’re going to take it very seriously and we want to make sure that the neighborhood is safe, so we’re increasing our presence there,” RCPD Lieutenant Marc Cote said.
Police say one thing that many of the shootings have in common is that the firearms were stolen from cars.
In an effort to reduce the number of gunshot calls, police will be spending even more time in the area.
“With officers and the sergeants that are out there tackling this problem, I’ve directed them to focus on the area for a little bit more presence than we normally have. And to focus on listening and trying to intercept this kind of activity when it goes on,” Cote said.
They’re hoping the increased patrols lead to fewer calls and help keep the neighborhood safe.
The RCPD wants everyone to practice gun safety 24/7 and to not leave firearms unsecured in unlocked vehicles.
