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The coordinated tip line allows users to text ‘drugs’ to 82257. The tipster will then be asked a few questions and request for additional information while remaining anonymous.

Rapid City Police Chief Karl Jegeris says the new program will work in conjunction with Rapid City’s current 411 tip line.

Jegeris also invites Pine Ridge residents to use the anonymous tip line to take a stand on meth and the devastation it is causing.

“The only way we are going to put an end to (the meth epidemic) is to stand up together and engage our communities. Both tribal and Rapid City community,” said Jegeris, “We ask the community to share that information we need to put an end to this surge of methamphetamine that is plaguing us right now.”

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In Minnehaha County alone, meth arrests are up 60 percent this year.

“We need to get rid of meth in this community. We will not be safe until we do. It is causing massive problems; it is propelling our crimes out of control,” Minnehaha County State’s Attorney Aaron McGowan said.

Project Stand Up wants to enlist anonymous texters to help law enforcement get more meth makers and dealers off the streets.

“Meth changes everything. How about we change everything for the better, by utilizing this tool,” South Dakota Public Safety Secretary Trevor Jones said.

Each texter will answer questions about their location, so the proper law enforcement agency can be notified. Then a software program “scrubs” the information so the text remains anonymous.

“Use this system, help us help you rid our community of this problem,” Sioux Falls Police Chief Matt Burns said.

Law enforcement says it’s the immediacy of a text that will allow investigators to respond more quickly to a drug deal that’s unfolding in real time.

“A text happens right away, gets that information to our local law enforcement to reach and to protect the public,” Attorney General Marty Jackley said.

As texting becomes more and more the preferred way to communicate, especially among Millennials, law enforcement hopes the popularity of texts will lead to more tips, and ultimately, more arrests.

No taxpayer dollars are going into Project Stand Up. Sanford Health is donating funds to get the program up and running.

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“It goes to that 3rd party software, it’s what we call ‘SCRUB,’ it remains anonymous and that information goes directly to the local law enforcement that can make a difference and react on it,” he explained.

Once someone texts in, the software will ask the texter questions.

“The questions that we get information from are being asked through the interaction on the text. It’ll remain anonymous so that law enforcement is able to move forward and make a judgment call on whether this is information we do a follow up investigation on or really compile the information we already have so that the law enforcement in the area can do its job of addressing the concern,” Jackley said.

The program is funded wholly by Sanford, not taxpayers, who Jackley said has generously funded the software used by the program for the next several years, which costs between $12-15,000 annually, depending on the number of texts the line receives.

Sanford public affairs said they were able to fund the program through in-kind donations and other marketing projects and is also providing brochures and other literature that will be provided to schools and communities across the state.

Former Sioux Falls Police Chief Doug Barthel who now works for Sanford Health said they’re hoping this program will help area hospitals cut down of the number of people they treat for drugs as well as for patients who have to wait for resources to become available.

“Well, there’s no question drug abuse has an impact on healthcare we see it in the emergency department probably on a daily basis,” Barthel said. “Frankly a lot of those people who come through the door don’t have health insurance, don’t have coverage. We’re still stuck with those costs, with those expenses, [and] unfortunately someone has to help pay for that so then it can filter down to other people that do have insurance or are out paying their bills.”

On top of that, Minnehaha County State’s Attorney Aaron McGowan said, there are other costs associated with a drug and opioid epidemic.

“It’s costing our communities in loss of property, when you look at all the crimes propelled by methamphetamine,” McGowan said. “Our robberies, our burglaries, identity theft, car burglaries. We’ve seen an increase guns stolen out vehicles and found in the hands of drugs dealers.”

“These crimes against our community, against our families, against our children, are propelled this horrible drug and by the nature of that addiction,” McGowan explained.

“So this is another tool that we can use,” he said. “We need to get rid of meth in this community. We will not be safe until we do, it’s causing massive problems it is propelling our crime out of control to a level we can’t sustain at our current staffing at our law enforcement agencies.”

McGowan said the State’s Attorney’s office currently has more 13,400 open adult criminal cases right now and that their case load is up 17 percent from last year.

Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead said drug use in the area is still a growing epidemic.

“I’ve sounded like a broken record for a couple years now on meth in our community and the dangers that it’s posing,” Milstead said. “Much of our crime in Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County is driven and drug-propelled by drugs like methamphetamine, we have heroin in our community, fentanyl, the opioids and it’s a significant, serious issue and this a huge step for adding another capability for people who want to report someone who’s involved in the use or in particular, the distribution of these dangerous drugs.”

Milstead said the good news, is that arrests in Minnehaha County are up 60 percent in the first four months of the year since last year, so the programs offered in Sioux Falls are working to combat crime.

While law enforcement is working hard to stop crime in our area, Sioux Falls Police Chief Matt Burns said, it’s important people actually use the text line to report crime, or else it doesn’t work for anyone.

“Any tool we can get to help us in that battle … is important but it really depends on citizen involvement,” Burns explained. “Use this system help us, help you rid our community of this problem. It’s gonna take us all.”

“This is not just a law enforcement problem at the local, county or state level, it’s gonna take everybody to really get involved whether it’ this piece whether its through the traditional means. Just get involved.”

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Sisseton law enforcement officials are excited to get the word out about the project. “We need all the help we can get,” explains Jim Croymans, the Chief of Police at the Sisseton Police Department. “Drugs aren’t just a problem in Sisseton, they’re a problem statewide, nationwide so it’ll be a good program for us.”

The confidential texting tip-line is a way to get the drugs off the street. Texting a tip is easy – just send the word ‘drugs’ to 82257 and the tipster will be asked a series of questions after to make sure law enforcement officials are getting all the information they need.

Project Stand Up is seeing plenty of support with businesses in the community. Everyone wants to do their part to solve some of the issues they’ve had in Sisseton dealing with drugs.

“It affects our healthcare system, all of our dollars in the community and they’ve all agreed that we need to do something,” says Brett Hanson, a business owner in town.

The program will also find its way into the schools this fall to have everyone sign a student pledge to stand up to drug crime.

If you’re in the Sisseton area and want to find out more information, the community outreach dinner on Tuesday starts at 5 p.m. in the parking lot at Teal’s Market. The event will include local, state and tribal representatives discussing the program, distribution of promotional items as well as free food for everyone in attendance.

Project Stand Up was launched statewide on May 18, 2017 with these partners: Attorney General’s Office, Sanford Health, South Dakota Sheriff’s Association, South Dakota Police Chiefs’ Association and the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.

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Project Stand Up was launched statewide on May 18, 2017 with these partners: Attorney General’s Office, Sanford Health, South Dakota Sheriff’s Association, South Dakota Police Chiefs’ Association and the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.

Project Stand Up is a coordinated effort amongst law enforcement officials and healthcare providers statewide to standup to illegal drug use in South Dakota. Texting a tip is simple- just text ‘drugs’ to 82257. The tipster will be asked a series of questions for additional information. The level of involvement lies with the citizen, while always remaining anonymous.

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