Crime in Utah

file:Salt Lake City Police vehicle at Salt Lake City Intermodal Hub, Mar 17.jpg

Utah experiences a range of violent crimes, including homicide, assault, and sexual assault.{{cite web | title=Crimes against property, persons, society | website=Power BI | url=https://app.powerbigov.us/view?r=eyJrIjoiMjNhMTE2MTYtNDc2Ni00YTU1LWE4N2QtNjJmMTFiNzA1NTFmIiwidCI6ImFkZjY2ZWIyLWZjY2YtNDE3My1iZjQ0LTNmNzY3MzBhYTg5ZSJ9&pageName=ReportSectiona9709fc30e95d8951d46 | access-date=2023-10-20}} Like many states, urban areas such as Salt Lake City tend to have higher violent crime rates compared to rural regions.

Property crimes like burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft are more common than violent crimes. Residential areas and neighborhoods around universities have seen spikes in property crimes at different points in time.

Utah has seen a significant increase in drug-related crimes, particularly related to opioids. This includes possession, distribution, and manufacturing of illegal substances.{{cite web | title=Analysis of the impact related to illicit drug use in Utah – 2020/2021 | url=https://poisoncontrol.utah.edu/sites/g/files/zrelqx281/files/media/documents/2021/DMI_Annual_Report.pdf | access-date=2023-10-20}}

Hate crimes are of particular concern due to the state's diverse population.{{cite web | title=Power BI Report | website=Power BI | url=https://app.powerbigov.us/view?r=eyJrIjoiMjNhMTE2MTYtNDc2Ni00YTU1LWE4N2QtNjJmMTFiNzA1NTFmIiwidCI6ImFkZjY2ZWIyLWZjY2YtNDE3My1iZjQ0LTNmNzY3MzBhYTg5ZSJ9&pageName=ReportSectionb69a52a3a4abdaea5055 | access-date=2023-10-20}} Legislative steps have been taken to address this issue and implement harsher penalties for hate crimes.

Utah's law enforcement infrastructure includes local police departments for urban areas and Sheriff's departments for more rural regions.

{{Main|Utah Highway Patrol}}

The Utah Highway Patrol is responsible for enforcing traffic laws across the state and plays a significant role in drug interdiction.

Many areas have introduced community policing efforts, which have shown promise in reducing crime rates.{{cite web | title=Community Engagement – SLCPD | website=SLCPD – Serving with Integrity | date=2022-10-20 | url=https://slcpd.com/community-engagement/ | access-date=2023-10-20}}{{cite web | title=Community Policing | website=Draper City, UT | url=https://www.draperutah.gov/447/Community-Policing | access-date=2023-10-20}}

Utah has mandatory sentencing guidelines for certain types of crimes, including violent and drug-related offenses.{{cite web | title=CCJJ | website=Sentencing Commission | url=https://justice.utah.gov/sentencing/ | access-date=2023-10-20}}{{cite web | title=2023 Sentencing Release Guidelines | url=https://justice.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023-Sentencing-Release-Guidelines_3.1-.pdf | access-date=2023-10-20}}

{{Main|Capital punishment in Utah}}

Capital punishment is legal in the state of Utah. Aggravated murder is the only crime subject to the penalty of death under Utah law. Lethal injection is the state's method of choice; however, {{asof|2015|lc=on}}, execution by firing squad is authorized if the drugs required for lethal injection are unobtainable, or if the inmate was sentenced before 2004 and chose firing squad as the method of execution.[http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/methods-execution?scid=8&did=245#ut "Methods of Execution - Authorized Methods by State"]. Death Penalty Information Center. Retrieved on October 25, 2015.{{cite news | url = http://www.ksl.com/?sid=33947820 | title = Herbert signs firing squad alternate for executions into law | publisher = KSL.com | author = Katie McKellar | date = March 23, 2015 | access-date = October 25, 2015 }}

{{Main|Gun laws in Utah}}

Utah has relatively lax gun laws, and this has been a subject of debate especially in the wake of incidents involving firearms.{{cite web | title=Utah Code Index | website=Utah Legislature | date=2023-09-08 | url=https://le.utah.gov/xcode/code.html | access-date=2023-10-20}}{{cite web | title=Utah lawmakers say they want to protect kids. Here are the gun laws the Legislature did | website=The Salt Lake Tribune | date=2023-04-03 | url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2023/04/03/utah-lawmakers-say-they-want/ | access-date=2023-10-20}}

The state has special courts and correctional facilities for juvenile offenders, with a focus on rehabilitation.{{cite web | title=Juvenile Courts | website=Utah State Courts | date=2022-09-15 | url=https://www.utcourts.gov/en/about/courts/juv.html | access-date=2023-10-20}}

One of the most infamous crimes in Utah's history was committed by Ted Bundy, who was active in the state during the 1970s. He was responsible for the disappearances and murders of several young women.

{{cite news

|first = Stephen C.

|last = Smith

|title = Momma's boy to murder: Saga of Ted Bundy

|newspaper = Lakeland Ledger

|location = Lakeland, Florida

|agency = Associated Press

|date = August 19, 1979

|page = 4B

|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xbMwAAAAIBAJ&dq=ted%20bundy%20mormon&pg=6890%2C1373449

|access-date =

}}

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