In light of recent high-profile crimes in Sioux Falls, the police department is looking at a few different things that can be done in the community to help.
Sioux Falls police leaders said the department is feeling confident in its ability to keep the community safe in the aftermath of a shooting at the Empire Mall.
No one was hurt, but the shooting prompted a massive response from law enforcement.
Officials said the police department relied on community partnerships, as well as relationships with the Highway Patrol and Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, to handle the incident.
John Thum is the Chief of Sioux Falls Police Department. He said a large part of the success is due to the extensive training with all parties involved.
“It pushed our people pretty hard this weekend, and again, testament to their training abilities and professionalism to get the results that we have in a short time that we’ve got here," Thum said. "I think it’s a testament to the training and collaboration between law enforcement and the mall that they immediately went into their lockdown procedures. People began to shelter in place, close their doors, do the safety procedures and protocols that we’ve worked with throughout the years and have cooperated with them, and we have a great working relationship with the mall."
Thum said the department always has more to improve on and is analyzing the mall shooting to see where weaknesses may exist in the current plan.
That same weekend, police responded to a fatal stabbing – the city’s 15th homicide of the year.
He said the crimes like these clearly point to the need for mentorship in Sioux Falls and broader society.
“I reiterate that there are chances to make interventions. And it often comes and lies in investing in grade schoolers and middle schoolers, before we get to this point where this is the outcome. Again, not a silver bullet. But we better do something. We better get engaged in that," Thum said. "And I would encourage you to take this event and take this incident, which probably has thousands of views and numerous things and comments on social media and find a sense of action within that about some things you can do within your community to intervene. We’ll do our part. But again, by the time we’re doing our part, there’s damage done and sometimes lives lost."
He said mentorship in Sioux Falls could help prevent some of this “gang activity” in the community.
