Is Colorado to Blame for Laramie County’s Rising Murder Rate?
Laramie County District Attorney Jeremiah Sandburg says he's seen more homicides in his nearly three-and-a-half years on the job than his predecessor, Scott Homar, saw in his entire eight years in office.
Sandburg says the homicide rate has shot up around the country, but it's particularly bad in Colorado.
"Our crime rate is largely affected by what happens down in Colorado," said Sandburg. "We're the top end of the front range and to think that that border just a few miles south of us stops crime is kind of naive."
Sandburg believes the legalization of marijuana coupled with public anger and distrust in the government has contributed to the murder rate.
"From talking to my counterparts down there, the animosity now is much more engaged and prevalent on what they're doing in controlling the marijuana trade," said Sandburg.
"When you add all those components together, I think you see what we have going on down in Colorado and that's affecting us here in Laramie County," he added.