Pennington County sheriff offers extended presence and assistance in Hill City during rally

HILL CITY, S.D. – Whether heading to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse or a plethora of different locations across the Black Hills, Hill City serves as a bustling halfway level for vacationers. And during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the inhabitants grows exponentially.

However, whether or not by foot or by cruiser, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office maintains its responsibility to make sure the security of the general public.

“We deliver particular deputies in from allover. We have had Montana, Iowa — I consider now we have one which got here in from Delaware as nicely,” Sgt. Scott Sitzes mentioned. “So, from throughout they arrive in and work the rally. And quite a lot of the blokes which are right here, they’ve been right here for a number of years and simply preserve coming again.”

This yr, PCSO has employed seven new “non permanent deputies” so as to add to the patrol. When they arrive in Pennington County, they’re sworn in as a member of the division. Once the rally is over, the deputies are decommissioned and head again house.

But even with the big spike in the area’s inhabitants, issues have a tendency to remain comparatively calm. In reality, when members on patrol are approached by folks, it’s usually for one thing so simple as instructions or questions in regards to the space.

“We get lots of people that come up and say, ‘hey, the place is that this,’ or ‘the place is that this restaurant at,’ or ‘I simply noticed a few bikes collide.’ We run into that,” Sgt. Sitzes mentioned.

In reality, during his patrol Sunday afternoon, residents had been even stopping to share their gratitude to Sgt. Sitzes, together with a pleasant dialog. And as a lot as folks are inclined to have a pre-conceived notion of rally-goers being rowdy, Sgt. Sitzes says it’s usually the other – with nearly everybody there to have an excellent time.

“It is nice to be so embedded in that group out right here that folks really feel snug arising and visiting with us,” he provides.

Of course, Sgt. Sitzes does advocate attendees — whether or not on a motorcycle or not — be aware of themselves and everybody else. Things like loud music and engines revving can distract riders and the general public from their environment. And in an emergency state of affairs, legislation enforcement responding to an incident in the world may very well be held up and prevented from arriving in time.

Road closures are one other chance. Riders ought to anticipate and be ready to take various routes to their locations irrespective of how brief or lengthy the rerouted highway is.

But above all, the rally is a time to have enjoyable. The sheriff’s workplace is on responsibility to increase assistance, and perhaps even a restaurant suggestion or two.

“If you see us, don’t be afraid to say hey. Or you probably have any questions, come on up,” Sgt. Sitzes mentioned. “We are comfortable to provide instructions or something anyone wants.”