SOIUX FALLS S.D. (KLEO) — Sioux Falls Police will deploy more officers downtown.
“We’ve seen an increase in disruptive behavior downtown,” SFPD Chief Jon Thum said at Tuesday’s police briefing.
Thum said extra officers are school resource officers who will take on other duties in the summer time while school is out.
He then highlighted SFPD’s work with partners like Southeastern Behavioral Health, Urban Indian Health and Midwest Street Medicine.
“We’re increasing our efforts to hold people accountable but also get them the help they need,” Thum said.
In reference to a city campaign against giving to panhandlers, Thum reiterated the importance of donating to nonprofits instead of panhandlers, in particular the organizations that partner with Sioux Falls Police.
“Our message is clear, it’s become somewhat of a talking point, but cash handouts don’t help, but you can,” Thum said.
Nonprofits are meeting some of the basic needs of people that need money from panhandling, according to Thum.
“I would much rather see these funds being given to our nonprofit partners making real impactful change, especially at a time where money is a little bit in flux for a lot of them,” Thum said.
