Sioux Falls Police Chief Touts Declining Crime Rates

Upcoming report expected to show drop in major crime categories despite population growth.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 1:31pm

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Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum says the city's upcoming crime statistics report will show a decline in crime numbers across nearly all major categories, even as the population of Sioux Falls continues to grow by thousands of new residents each year.

Why it matters

Declining crime rates in a growing city like Sioux Falls are an encouraging sign for public safety and quality of life, especially as some communities have struggled with increases in certain types of crimes in recent years.

The details

Chief Thum says the police department's data shows the number of crimes is down in nearly all major categories, despite the city adding around 5,000 new residents annually. The upcoming report is expected to provide more detailed figures on the crime trends in Sioux Falls.

  • The Sioux Falls Police Department plans to release its crime statistics report in the coming weeks.

The players

Jon Thum

The police chief of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

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What they’re saying

“Crime numbers are dropping, even though the city is adding about five thousand new residents every year.”

— Jon Thum, Police Chief

What’s next

The upcoming crime statistics report from the Sioux Falls Police Department will provide more detailed information on the specific crime trends and categories that have seen declines.

The takeaway

Sioux Falls appears to be bucking the trend of rising crime in some communities, with the police chief crediting effective policing strategies and community engagement for the declining crime rates despite the city's growing population.