Expansion of Highway Patrol is intended to reach the growth of Sioux Falls – Dakota News now

Sioux Falls, SD (Dakota News now) – Sioux Falls is still growing at a rapid rate. While local law enforcement agencies are trying to continue, adding more officers, governor Larry Rodin has announced that the state is interfering and to help.

As the police department of SIU Falls and the sheriff of the county have passed 50 new positions in the last decade and a half, it has been a quarter of a century since a highway patrol increased its presence in the largest city of the country.

Rodin said a new troop of soldiers would help to deal with prolonged population growth, especially after urban leaders design that the subway area would grow to about half a million by 2050.

“My philosophy is that the best way to combat crimes is to hire more officers, not to increase penalties,” Rodin said.

An additional nine positions will be paid with a one -time consumption of $ 1 million and an annual price of about $ 1.4 million. All these funds will come from the State Highway Fund, which finances the rest of the highway patrol.

“I know we’re in a difficult budget year. But this expansion will not use any US dollars in the fund, “Rodin said.

Rodin said that when the Sioux Falls road network increases, the power of the state helps to apply road laws and fight crime, especially the excess.

“Over the last 15 years, the travel kilometers of the vehicle have increased by 500 million in the area of ​​Siouks Waterfall. It’s hard to wrap your mind around, “Rodin said.

The growth of the power at the state level is welcome for the city leaders of Siu Falls.

Mayor Paul Tenhak said the city is already working well with other law enforcement authorities at the county and state level and this added force will only help in the long run.

“Public safety is really an effort to collaborate at all levels. With the county, with the city, with the state, with all our partners, “Tenhaken said.

The chief of police at Siou Falls John Tum says that this greater presence of law enforcement does not mean that the city sees any jump in crime. He recently said that he allows everyone to the local, district and state levels to be prepared for the continued growth that Siu Falls will see in the future.

“The mayor always points to this. We add Aberdeen every five years. I can be a little. But for our growth and our scale, the state is also growing in many ways, “Tum said.

Rodin said the funds still need to go through a budget loan process in Pierre and that he works with a road card deputies about how this will happen.

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