Halloween Crime Is A Scary Reality For Utahns
Halloween should be a time of candy and fun decorations but more often than not the holiday turns into an opportunity for crime.
Generally, people plan Halloween parties or taking out the kids for some trick-or-treating, but some disturbed individuals look at the day with more sinister purposes. Crime rates shoot up and car break ins and theft are common on Halloween, CBS News said.
Why does crime rise? The answers vary but Travelers, a person insurer, told CBS that there is about a 17 percent increase on claims that are crime-related during the holiday.
It could also be that since it gets darker sooner there is more opportunity for crime and Halloween just happens to be during the darker months. Or a Northeastern University professor thinks that all the legends and paranormal tales add to the crime rates. Crime rates are about 50 percent higher than any other day of the year.
Utah is no exception and during the last few Halloweens, murders have taken place at local Halloween parties.
Last Halloween, a 20-year-old man shot another party goer in West Valley City after an argument and was charged just a month later with murder.
In 2021, another 20-year-old man at a Halloween party in Salt Lake City started a physical argument which led him to shoot another party goer at point blank range, the Salt Lake Tribune said.
These are just a few of the instances where Utah Halloween parties have turned violent and tragic over the last few years.
So, be careful this Halloween and always been on guard if you are out and about during the holiday. Thefts and violent crimes are way more common than they should be on a spooky night.
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