I note that some are out there commenting about a feasibility study that’s being floated with regards to a fence at the Governor’s residence in Pierre, as if the state is doing something wrong.
And as I read the trolling comments, I’m forced to face the reality that there are some people out there that are really stupid. Not just a little dull, but flat out wack-a-doodles who see evil plots around every corner, and trying to imply that studying security plans to keep the state’s chief executive safe at their residence is somehow insidious.
Compared to the rest of the nation, our state’s capitol building, state offices, and governor’s residence are so woefully behind the times when it comes to security that it’s coming as a shock to many when someone studies the most bare of minimum steps in stepping things up.
Like many others who grew up in Pierre, I remember driving down Capitol Avenue, and you could see anything and everything going on at the little back deck at the mansion. Fast forward to the Mickelson years, and similarly to what people are saying now, some busybodies found it almost scandalous that they put in an earthen berm as a privacy screen from cars that passed.
(From the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, August 28, 1988)
When they put the privacy berm in, that was the last time they reconfigured that yard for improving privacy or security. Which means that overall security at the Governor’s residence has not been improved for South Dakota’s first family in over 30 years.
Despite the addition of the berm, in the years since, I’ve heard that people have walked up, and generally had their way with invading the grounds, including walking around Capitol Lake into the Governor’s back yard, or just strolling up, knocking on and looking in windows, etcetera.
Which is really not a way to be, but given our state’s frugality, security has never really been a priority. Even though it should be.
When I went to the White House a year or two back, I was sniffed by dogs, and screened by metal detectors as people with automatic weapons stood by, prepared to mow me down should I pose a security threat. Yet, for our state’s own chief executive, people are actually making a fuss when the Department of Public Safety simply explores the cost for the most basic item of security over what’s been in place for 30 years?
It’s obvious that some people need to get a grip.
I don’t think we should begrudge DPS for exploring what it takes in trying to have the tools to do their job.
In fact, it’s a step that’s long overdue, and should have all of our blessing.
I think you got the read wrong Pat. No one cares about the study, it’s the $400k fence price tag that folks are balking at.
They are just asking for proposals at this point. And that number is a guesstimate.
Your typical yard fence is not going to stop a vehicle, which I would assume is a requirement. And I’m sure it has other “more than you get at Menard’s” specifications as well.
But I’m not a security expert privy to the details and specs. And no offense, but I doubt you are either.
Yeah 400k is about 300k too much assuming we are putting up a heavy steel fence. I just don’t see how you can get to 400k unless it has a moat and draw bridge with brick walls.
Apparently you have some knowledge about security fencing. Are you a contrator? How did you come up with this number?
How about a chain-linked fence for $4,000.
A chain link fence won’t even stop a Siberian Husky. You would know that if you owned one.
Had both and the Husky never got out.
My dogs dug under it, made holes in the mesh, etc. it slowed them down but that was it.
You have a smart dog. I had Cash in Madison visiting a friend. He did get out of my friends chain link fence by opening the gate. The cops picked him up and they were so nice, they didn’t even ticket me. Can’t say that about Mitchell, although they are getting better.
I got pretty good at repairing the holes with coat hanger wire.
Assuming that somebody wanting to harm the governor is going to do so with an attack husky. Is this part of your pretense of being a conservative: complaining about spending money?
Huskies don’t attack anybody, unless there is food involved. As guard dogs they might defend an AC unit, but they would trade everything else in the house for a hot dog.
with razer wire and electrified and just inside Claymore mines. That should stop them if they are on foot.
Well security is a major issue
Maybe the bid or approximate cost includes cameras and sensors
This probably should have been done all along
Why…..it’s Pierre. Mayberry RFD. Guns are all you need.
When Bill Janklow was Governor, he had his name and number in the Pierre phone book. He answered the door when people knocked. He talked to people at the post office, grocery store and movie theater. The same with Mike Rounds and Dennis Daugaard (except Gov. Daugaard wasn’t in the Pierre phone book, he’s probably in the Dell Rapids book). They all seemed pretty secure.
When the cedar bushes on the north side of the Capitol were dying, a safety assessment was done so they could be replaced with a security fence with Homeland Security picking up the tab. It didn’t happen. We paid for the fence and it looks great. I doubt it would stop a vehicle though.
The Governor’s residence is well built, patrolled, video monitored and a phone call away from the Pierre Police, Hughes County Sheriff, the Highway Patrol and DCI. The Stanley County Sheriff is just across the river and available too. There’s generally a couple of dozen officers at the Law Enforcement Training Center too. All those dollars are on the books now and any more would just be a waste. But if we need a fence, dogs, metal detectors, scanners and sniffers, guards with automatic weapons, a roof mounted air defense system and a no fly zone, then so be it. If anything, a fence will at least keep out the drugs and immigrants I’ve been told.
No question it should have been done long ago. Perhaps the original fund raising committee that secured the money from private sources to build the residence could be reactivated to help out with some of the costs. In any event it is a necessary expenditure.
you can jump over the fence at the CA governors mansion….https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UAoheBW8Oo
So are they going to swipe the money from BOA or put it in next year’s budget proposal for the legislature to approve?
The legislatures should not be in the business of approving fences or the pattern of mowing lawns. They should focus on those direction setting decisions like bathrooms and signs about god.
Which donor will get the contract and how much did they donate?
Reading the comments, I’m thrilled at all the fence and security experts that weighed in! I don’t know what I would do with all that knowledge and time on my hands!
Thanks all!!!
We thought the same thing in Bismarck: why the heck would we need a fence around the planned new governor’s mansion?
Then the DAPL protestors rolled in to town . . .
What’s wrong with her AFP styled fence ?
Build a confined animal feeding operation (CAFO) or an industrial wind turbine (IWT) on the property. That should give our governor the privacy and security she is looking for.
It works in rural SD so it should work in Pierre.
Who came up with this idea. Trying to create a problem when you don’t have one. Another way to spend money.
Creating a problem when you don’t have one. We did not have a problem until someone decided to drive a truck full of explosive fertilizer into a federal building. We did not have a problem until someone saw fit to fly a plane into a few buildings. After these things people asked how could we let this happen? Sometimes you have to anticipate where certain weaknesses are to prevent the exploitation. Last fall, someone threw a rock through a window of our house. Now we are planning security cameras. You lock your house and car, right?
You can’t live in fear. if somebody wants to get you….well a fence isn’t going to stop them. SD…..a safe place to live..even the Governor doesn’t need a fence…..
Prudence is not living in fear.
I’m actually disappointed in some of the comments. Pertaining to facts, we cannot compare this entity to “our home, yard, or our fence” this is an elected position, someone with title. To defy additional security needed Or at least proposing the idea for a moment is crazy.
Our ag community shakes their head and rolls their eyes because of the amount as many of us are experiencing hardships with tariffs negotiation and flooding. One is not the same as the other. One issue is needed security and the other national politics, that she seriously needs to address at some point,
Apologize thought I commented in general section not under an ongoing conversation
No…….we don’t live in a sh*t hole. SD is a safe place to live and out Congressmen don’t have security walls around their houses do they. To me it come across as very elitist. There is very good security without having to spend an extra $400,000.
I can’t believe the insurance company allows it not to be fenced. You can still walk right up to the backyard without issue. That’s a hazardous scenario. Spending a bit on security now will save money later on – not just increased expenses but what if something happened – that price is too great. $400k is nothing in comparison. This is not just protection for Gov Noem, but for all the employees that work in that building. Crazy not to do this. Good for the state for protecting employees. Most state buildings have had security upgrades recently, or so I’m told. Just one more state building with a security upgrade. You’re right Pat. Stupid stupid people out there.
My gosh…it’s going to look like a prison. This is SD, not DC. The whole state is smaller than Minneapolis metro.
Yeah but there are crazies in South Dakota always claiming Sharia Law is already here in in the state with No Go Zones in some of our cities. There could be concrete barriers too around the mansion.
ANTIFA could strike too but how they could get to Pierre could be a problem since most don’t even own a car.
make it high and thick, of stone or brick. there. there’s my rfp response.
She doesn’t even live there. This is a stupid idea.