SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Public safety leaders in the Sioux Falls area are sending a message about one of the dangers of wearing the badge.
Last year, Sioux Falls police officers were assaulted more than 140 times.
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The Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office reported 70 assaults on deputies and correctional officers, including Juvenile Detention Center staff.
Violence against law enforcement is something that’s been in the news lately.
In mid-February, shots were fired at law enforcement in Brandon after trying to arrest 43-year-old Abe Boushee, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
Meanwhile, 65-year-old David Yocom is accused of shooting a machine gun at a law enforcement during a recent chase.
On Friday, Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum spoke about an incident just a few weeks ago, although he couldn’t offer many details.
“One of our officers responding to a call was fired upon by some people,” Thum said.
The officer wasn’t hurt.
Thum and Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead called attention to assaults on law enforcement during a press conference Friday.
“I think it’s a good reminder that the men and women in uniform, your police officers, Highway Patrol, correctional staff, prison workers, they’re exposed to more danger now than they have been in the past,” Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead said.
“We as law enforcement deal with the downstream effects of a lot of societal issues, and the downstream effects right now is the willingness and propensity to use violence against officers and that’s alarming for us,” Thum said.
Thum highlighted mentorship as one way to interrupt the trend.
“It’s not going to fix everything, but at least it’s something, so if you’re looking for something you can do try to get involved in the lives of young people. Support organizations that work on these topics,” Thum said.
Milstead shared a message for parents.
“It’s hard to be a parent today. It’s incredibly hard, and so I think parents could have a huge impact and that is having the ability to say no, having the ability to be your kids parent, not best friend. Why are kids running around at 2:00, 3:00 in the morning with guns in their car?” Milstead said.
“The best opportunity for intervention is when people are young. It gets harder and harder when people are further entrenched in these issues,” Thum said.
Click the links below for information on how to become a mentor.
LSS Mentoring
Teammates Mentoring
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