Patrol Plans Altered in South Dakota
On December 12, 2025, the city of Brookings issued a notice indicating that state troopers would be present for a saturation patrol from December 17 to 19 as part of Operation Prairie Thunder. However, the South Dakota Highway Patrol did not carry out this operation in Brookings.
Instead, troopers were deployed to Winner and Sturgis for the ninth round of patrols under Governor Larry Rhoden's public safety campaign. The Department of Public Safety reported that these patrols resulted in 13 arrests and 25 drug charges across the two cities.
Governor Rhoden criticized Brookings for its announcement, stating in a release to South Dakota Searchlight, "It's unfortunate that the city of Brookings would jeopardize an anti-crime operation and put the safety of our officers at risk by publishing this information." He emphasized that the state does not disclose specific details about future patrol operations.
Brookings City Manager Paul Briseno explained that the notice was posted to inform residents about potential additional officers and to address community inquiries regarding Operation Prairie Thunder. He noted that while the state had initially notified Brookings of the patrol plans, it did not communicate the change in strategy.
Highway Patrol spokesman Brad Reiners confirmed that no saturation patrol occurred in Brookings. Meanwhile, Brookings Mayor Ope Niemeyer, who was away on business, stated he had not observed any extra troopers in town and could not comment on the impact of the city's announcement.
Operation Prairie Thunder, launched in July 2025, has involved cooperation with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement. Since its inception, troopers have questioned 81 individuals about immigration status, with 57 detained for federal agents. Overall, the initiative has led to 419 arrests, including 271 drug-related charges.
Previous patrols in Huron raised concerns among the Hispanic community, with some mistaking the increased troop presence for federal immigration raids. The state typically announces such patrols by month only, without confirming specific locations in advance.
As of the latest updates, the state has not clarified whether Brookings' announcement influenced patrol decisions, with Governor Rhoden's spokeswoman Josie Harms not responding to inquiries on the matter.
