North Dakota is cutting crime near the oil patch

North Dakota (WDAY TV) -- North Dakota is changing quickly. Crime rates are rising near the oil patch.

State Senator Ryan Taylor, a Candidate for Governor, says despite the changes to North Dakota, some things need to stay the same. He says we need to keep crime low, like it was before the oil boom.

North Dakota's population shot up nearly 6 percent in the last few years. The number of law enforcement workers, however, only went up 2 percent.

Taylor says part of North Dakota's surplus should go toward increased law enforcement, like judges, policemen, and lawyers.

Taylor says, "The numbers are unacceptable and we cannot expect the hardworking members of law enforcement in these communities to change them, unless we provide them with the resources we need to get the criminals off our streets."

Governor Jack Dalrymple's campaign says the Governor has already sent out an extra 13 Highway Patrol troopers to Western North Dakota. They say he is funding additional law enforcement and emergency services as well.

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