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.  

States of Violence: Violent Crime Per 100,000 Ranking by State

The DeMayo Law Office recently combed through the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Crime Data Explorer to determine which state had the most violent crime over five years (2018 - 2022.) Here's the complete list, counting down to the most violent state in America.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

Most Dangerous Hour, Day and Month to Drive in Utah

Assurance used National Traffic Highway Safety data to look at the riskiest times to be on the road in the Beehive State. We jumped into Utah Department of Public Safety data to narrow it down even further to the most dangerous times to drive in Salt Lake City and Provo.

Gallery Credit: Michelle Heart

More From Cat Country 107.3 and 94.9