Sturgis Police work to enforce open container laws

STURGIS, S.D. — Sturgis police say their numbers for this Rally are more or less down, with one exception, this year’s open container violations.

This is the first year the city is allowing open consumption of alcohol, but police say visitors don’t understand the stipulations involved.

Since Friday’s opening, there have been 859 open container violations with a few arrests. Police say they continue to remind people the open container ordinance only applies to event cups.

“Its still about the same,” said Chief Geody VanDewater, “But just walking down here there are people not in compliance so were still hammering away at education trying to educate and enforce”

You must purchase a special event cup for ten-dollars, and receive a wrist band as proof. Only beer or wine are allowed in the cups, and they must be used within the boundaries of downtown.

And you can only have the open container from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m..