Late this October, Bismarck was rattled by a shooting incident on the city’s south side, reigniting fears even as crime statistics show a steady decline in both violent and property offenses.
According to the 2024 Bismarck Police Department Annual Report, personal crime dropped nearly 4%, and property crime fell by 5%, with property crime hitting its lowest in five years.
On City-Data.com, the 2024 crime index for Bismarck is 204, down ~19% from 2023, with 1 homicide recorded—two fewer than the prior year.
Yet Bismarck still ranks among North Dakota’s more volatile spots: the city logs a violent crime rate of ~316 per 100,000, placing it #6 on the state’s “most dangerous” list.
Over on AreaVibes, Bismarck’s overall crime rate is said to be ~58% above the national average—driven mostly by property crime.
So, while many stats point downward, the city’s crime profile is nuanced—and any fresh incident draws sharper attention.
In mid-October 2025, police responded to reports of gunfire in the 1100 block of South 12th Street, near a local church. A 45-year-old man was found with gunshot wounds to his neck and shoulder; as of the latest update, he remains in stable condition.
Authorities have a suspect in custody and say the case is under investigation. This incident echoes past violence in Bismarck’s neighborhoods—and underscores locals’ worry about safety creeping into familiar streets.
“This is our city, our streets. We deserve to feel safe walking home.”—a neighborhood resident (requested anonymity)
The community is unsettled. Several residents told local outlets they now avoid walking at night along South 12th, where the shooting occurred.
On the law enforcement side:
Chief Dave Draovitch (Bismarck PD) commented in a spring press release:
“Even as crime trends downward, one shooting is one too many. Each life matters.”
City officials have also pushed for more patrols in hotspot zones and committed to increased transparency via the ArcGIS Crime Map, allowing public access to daily crime reports.
One violent event can disproportionately shake residents’ sense of safety, even if overall crime is falling. The shooting zone sits near several residential blocks—neighbors now pressure the city for more lighting, cameras, and patrols. The push for open crime maps and prompt reporting suggests Bismarck leadership understands that residents want involvement and accountability. If left unchecked, isolated events can embolden further crime or erode community cohesion.
Bismarck stands at a crossroads. On one hand, the downward drift in crime—especially in 2024—suggests progress. On the other, the fresh October shooting jolts neighborhoods back to vigilance.
Over the weeks to come, residents will watch whether city hall and the police respond not just with statements, but action—more patrols, preventive measures, and full use of tools like the crime map. Because in Bismarck, safety is earned every single day.
