Gov. Rhoden Announces Operation: Prairie Thunder

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Gov. Rhoden Announces Operation: Prairie Thunder

Major Public Safety Initiative in Sioux Falls Metro Area

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden announced Operation: Prairie Thunder – a comprehensive, targeted public safety initiative to protect South Dakotans, especially in the Sioux Falls metro area.

“We are keeping South Dakotans strong, safe, and free. When it comes to safety, one of our biggest opportunities to move the needle is right here in Sioux Falls, and that’s where Operation: Prairie Thunder comes in,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “We are taking decisive action to hold criminals accountable and protect our communities.”

Governor Rhoden announced Operation: Prairie Thunder at a press conference at the Sioux Falls Public Safety Campus. Operation: Prairie Thunder has two main components:

  • A targeted anti-crime initiative in the Sioux Falls metro to interdict drugs, investigate gang activity, hold parole absconders accountable, and deter lawlessness; and
  • A comprehensive effort to support the work of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) secure our borders and deport illegal alien criminals.

The targeted anti-crime initiative in the Sioux Falls metro includes:

  • Providing 10-15 Highway Patrol troopers for monthly saturation patrols over the next five months;
  • Deploying aerial assets including the South Dakota National Guard (SDNG) Lakota helicopters and the South Dakota Highway Patrol airplane to help with drug interdiction and traffic enforcement;
  • Utilizing Department of Corrections (DOC) Parole Agents and the Absconder Apprehension Unit to assist with apprehensions and lists of fugitives, absconders, and other intelligence; and
  • Coordinating all efforts through the existing local crime task forces in the Sioux Falls area.

The comprehensive effort to support ICE’s work includes:

  • Equipping the South Dakota Highway Patrol to assist with ICE’s actions to keep America safe – a partnership that the Governor previously obtained;
  • Activating six SDNG soldiers to assist ICE with administrative functions; and
  • Enabling DOC to work with ICE to deport offenders and transfer violent offenders for federal incarceration and assist ICE with processing and transportation of illegal alien criminals.

“Our work alongside ICE boils down to this: Highway Patrol will support ICE with arrests. The National Guard will support ICE with processing and administrative functions. And DOC will support ICE with transportation, identifying illegal immigrants in our prisons, and getting them paroled to ICE custody,” continued Governor Rhoden.

To facilitate the DOC component of supporting ICE, Governor Rhoden sent a letter of intent for a 287(g) agreement between DOC and Ice under the Jail Enforcement Model. He sent this letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Acting Director of ICE Todd Lyons. You can find the letter here.

At the announcement, Governor Rhoden was joined by state, federal, city, and county law enforcement leaders including Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken, Lieutenant Governor Tony Venhuizen, and Secretary of Public Safety Bob Perry. You can find a picture here.

Governor Rhoden is committed to working with local leaders to identify additional ways to address these issues to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free.

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19 thoughts on “Gov. Rhoden Announces Operation: Prairie Thunder”

  1. Revenue must be down and the risk of not filling the One Big Beautiful Prison (OBBP) is too damn high! It sounds good and all, getting those criminals arrested, but reality will be just a bunch more DUI’s and invasive searches to try and get back that marijuana crime revenue back. All those noisy crotch rockets will continue, the random violence will continue, and probably the murders too. I’m sure there is some additional funding for ICE captures they’ll get, but as we see every municipality in SD claiming “we can’t cut taxes” this is just the state saying the same. Sorry Government Addicts, it may be time to ween off of the Government T….

  2. I guess the Governor thinks that it’s a good idea to weaken law enforcement presence in West River in favor of big bad Sioux Falls.
    Great timing too. As we anticipate the beginning of the Sturgis Rally. After all, there won’t be many illegals at the Rally or human trafficking or any drug issues.
    Thanks, Governor……..NOT!!!

    1. I watched the press conference- it sounds like this will be after the Sturgis Rally or “a month away” or something like that was said. He also announced they are activating three guardsman for Rapid City to assist ICE.

      1. So did I miss the big media splash announcement of Operation Hills Thunder???

  4. Could we co brand prairie thunder with SD sturdy? Who comes up with these great ideas! L&S?

  5. Prairie Thunder? Is this a new brand of juice far superior to Prune Juice if we are constipated? We drink it. We run to the bathroom and behold “Prairie Thunder” and those who were constipated feel relieved where they can carry on with their day.

    Prairie Thunder for constipation relief! Also recommended as a gift for those annoying political candidates that are full of Sh**!

    1. Warning! Bathrooms will need to be properly ventilated after the use of Prairie Thunder.

  6. Who came up with this name?
    He just wants attention.
    Lame duck.
    Can’t wait to have Dusty in the Govs seat.

    1. Prairie Thunder. We’re on it.

      At least it wasn’t announcing yet another task force to be chaired by the Lt. Gov. Already tired of that shtick.

  7. I’m confused at the point of this.

    1. Isn’t all law enforcement supposed to cooperate with ICE?
    2. Why hasn’t crime been fought with all these resources before?

  8. There’ll be tables and umbrellas so pack a lunch basket and make a sightseeing day of it.

  9. Crime is growing in Sioux Falls and when that happens a good Governor will do what he can to help. Who would have a problem with that? Crime lovers, or maybe wanting to make necessary action political. Sheeeesh!

    1. Pretty sure the GOP mayor of Sioux Falls would disagree with this claim as his press conferences have stated crime is down almost 6% in 2024.

  12. This occupant of the Governor’s office is not ready for prime time. It is highly doubtful he will be elected if he chooses to run.

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