Tooele Residents, Police Hope Federal Grant Helps Curb Rising Crime

The city has seen increases in aggravated assaults, rapes, and arson over the past few years.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:03pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a broken security camera lens reflecting a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the investigation into rising property crime in Tooele.A broken security camera lens reflects the harsh light of a police investigation, symbolizing Tooele's efforts to address a troubling rise in property crimes.Tooele Today

Tooele, Utah has experienced significant population growth over the past five years, leading to an increase in various crimes like aggravated assaults, rapes, and arson. The Tooele Police Department has now qualified for a federal Justice Assistance Program grant, which will go towards a new drone program to help locate missing people and fleeing suspects. Residents like Gabrielle Gould hope the additional resources and community togetherness can help address the city's rising crime rates.

Why it matters

As Tooele's population has grown, the city has seen a concerning uptick in violent and property crimes. Residents are concerned about public safety, and the police department is looking to utilize new technology and federal funding to try to curb these troubling trends.

The details

According to Tooele Police, the city has seen aggravated assaults rise from 84 in 2022 to 90 last year, while rapes nearly doubled from 2022 to 2025. Arson cases also skyrocketed from just 3 reports in 2022 to 11 last year. The police department has now qualified for a federal Justice Assistance Program grant, which will go towards launching a new drone program to help locate missing people and fleeing suspects.

  • Tooele has averaged between 3 and 4 percent annual population growth over the past five years.
  • Aggravated assaults rose from 84 in 2022 to 90 in 2023.
  • Rapes nearly doubled between 2022 and 2025.
  • Arson cases increased from 3 in 2022 to 11 in 2023.

The players

Gabrielle Gould

A Tooele County resident who has lived in the area for two decades and is concerned about the city's rising crime rates and changing community dynamics.

Lt. Shawn Sagers

A lieutenant with the Tooele Police Department who explains that as the city's population has grown, crime statistics have also increased.

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What they’re saying

“'With more people, statistics will grow, and it's a numbers game as more people are here, more things will happen.'”

— Lt. Shawn Sagers, Lieutenant, Tooele Police Department

“'The more we can all be in the same page and be open to helping each other, I think the less opportunity there is for more crime.'”

— Gabrielle Gould, Tooele County Resident

What’s next

The Tooele Police Department plans to use the federal grant funding to launch a new drone program to assist in locating missing persons and fleeing suspects as part of their efforts to address the city's rising crime rates.

The takeaway

Tooele's rapid population growth has led to an increase in various crimes, raising concerns among residents about public safety. The police department's new federal grant will provide additional resources, including a drone program, to help address these troubling trends, but community togetherness will also be crucial in curbing crime in the growing city.