Pubdate: Mon, 15 Aug 2005
Source: Black Hills Pioneer, The (SD)
Copyright: The Black Hills Pioneer, Newspapers 2005
Contact: 
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=29038&BRD=1300&PAGF1&dept_id=156921&rf
Website: http://www.bhpioneer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3570
Author: Wendy Pitlick, Black Hills Pioneer

DRUG ARRESTS UP FOR 2005 RALLY

STURGIS - Though city officials say the 2005 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
was relatively mild, law enforcement officials report a much higher
number of drug arrests this year.

Marking the official end of the 65th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally,
Meade County Sheriff Ron Merwin, Sturgis Police Chief Jim Bush, and
S.D. Highway Patrol Trooper Randy Hartley all said misdemeanor and
felony drug arrest numbers have been on the rise for the last couple
of years. But this year's arrests are attributed to a variety of
different factors, including decreased traffic congestion that allows
law enforcement officers to get around easier, increased drug
detection training for officers, and increased drug use by rally attendees.

"We have seen an increase in meth arrests," Hartley said. "That
follows the national trend. It is definitely not a good thing."

By Saturday afternoon, Highway Patrol officers reported 131
misdemeanor, and 33 felony drug arrests. That compares to last year's
115 misdemeanors and 15 felony drug arrests.

In Meade County, Merwin reported 23 misdemeanor drug charges, compared
to nine last year. Felony controlled substance arrests were down by
one however, from three this year to four last year.

Inside Sturgis city limits, Bush said his officers were patrolling on
foot all week, making arrests that were not related to traffic stops.
Citations for open container, or public urination violations, Bush
said frequently lead to drug arrests. This year he said there were 104
misdemeanor drug charges, and 17 felony drug arrests. No comparisons
to last year were available by press time.

Despite higher drug arrests, all law enforcement officials and Rally
Director Lisa Weyer said this year was a very good Rally. Traffic
spread out throughout the entire Hills more than ever before, making
it easier for vehicles to maneuver through town, and nearly everyone
was on their best behavior, officials said.

"This was probably one of the best Rallies I can remember," Bush said.
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