1000 Thank You’s to those who keep our community safe

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – While many of us will be watching fireworks and grilling outside this Fourth of July, one group wants us to remember those working to keep everyone in our community safe.

An officer of the law is never “off duty.”

During the summer months, officers are putting in extra hours to respond to the increase in calls. With the Fourth of July holiday and the large number of visitors to the Black Hills, their work is constant.

“This time of year is very busy for our law enforcement agencies, and while many people are off flipping burgers, our folks will be working, and that’s what we do,” said Don Hedrick, the Chief of Police for the Rapid City Police Department.

As a way to thank law enforcement for all they do for the community, South Dakota Strong printed 1,000-yard signs thanking law enforcement for keeping people safe.

”It’s very humbling. Yesterday I took a drive up Mount Rushmore Road and saw an outpouring of support for law enforcement with signage, really, our folks see that, they appreciate it, and we work every single day to maintain the trust of the community, and it’s something that we take very seriously here in our county and in our city,” Hedrick said.

This is the second year for South Dakota Strong, which has grown in participation with double the number of signs posted, boosting the spirits of law enforcement.

”I had an opportunity to visit with a few staff this morning, and they just talked about the impact when they’re driving to work and they’re seeing these signs in their neighbor’s yards, they’re stopping at local businesses, and the signs are hanging in the windows. It means a lot to all of our staff, and it’s truly part of why all of us choose to do this work in this beautiful county,” Brian Mueller, the Pennington County Sherriff, said.

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