RAPID CITY, S.D. — With thousands of visitors expected in Rapid City and throughout the Black Hills for Independence Day festivities, local law enforcement agencies say extensive planning and interagency cooperation are in place to help ensure a safe holiday week.

Officials from the Rapid City Police Department and Pennington County Sheriff’s Office said they have spent weeks coordinating public safety efforts for the area’s many celebrations, including the Real America Birthday Bash events in downtown Rapid City, the Fourth of July fireworks at Mount Rushmore and celebrations throughout Pennington County. Lt. Kelvin Masur said planning has included numerous meetings with local partners to coordinate staffing and response plans, while Pennington County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Casey Kenrick said the agencies share the common goal of helping residents and visitors enjoy the holiday safely.

Kenrick said traffic will be one of the biggest challenges throughout the county, particularly with the expected influx of visitors and President Donald Trump’s planned appearance at the Mount Rushmore fireworks celebration. He said the sheriff’s office is working closely with the Rapid City Police Department, the South Dakota Highway Patrol and federal partners, including the Secret Service, to manage the large-scale event. Officials encouraged motorists to allow extra travel time, remain patient and treat fellow travelers with courtesy.

Law enforcement leaders also urged residents to celebrate responsibly by planning ahead if alcohol is involved. Masur said anyone intending to drink should arrange for a sober ride home and reminded residents to watch out for family, friends and pets during the holiday festivities. Brendyn Medina, community relations specialist for the Rapid City Police Department, said officers will increase enforcement during the holiday weekend following a recent weekend in which the department arrested 10 impaired drivers. Additional officers, firefighters and code enforcement personnel will also be on duty to respond to fireworks complaints and other holiday-related incidents.

Officials reminded residents that most consumer fireworks remain illegal within Rapid City city limits, with only limited novelty items allowed. Masur said residents experiencing illegal fireworks in their neighborhoods can call the Rapid City Police Department’s non-emergency dispatch line, where calls may be handled by police officers, firefighters or code enforcement personnel depending on the situation. He also encouraged anyone using fireworks outside city limits to do so only in legal areas, keep water nearby, remain sober and clean up debris afterward.

Kenrick said the sheriff’s office will again use its voluntary 11 p.m. fireworks curfew in the Rapid Valley area, an approach intended to balance the interests of residents who enjoy fireworks with those seeking a quieter evening. He also urged visitors not to block roadways with parked vehicles, noting emergency vehicles must be able to access neighborhoods if needed.

Officials also provided an update on the joint parole task force operated by the Rapid City Police Department, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office and local parole officials. Medina said the task force continues to focus on locating and apprehending parolees who continue committing violent crimes and trafficking drugs after their release. Kenrick emphasized the initiative targets repeat violent offenders rather than individuals attempting to successfully reintegrate into society, adding that the agencies remain committed to rehabilitation while holding chronic offenders accountable.

The discussion also addressed a common public question about traffic enforcement. Masur said the Rapid City Police Department does not require officers to meet citation quotas, explaining that officers are encouraged to conduct proactive traffic enforcement while also working on neighborhood-specific projects and responding to community concerns. He said enforcement decisions are based on public safety rather than ticket numbers. Kenrick said the sheriff’s office likewise has no citation quotas, adding that deputies use discretion based on the circumstances of each violation while continuing to focus enforcement efforts in areas with recurring complaints, such as excessive speeding and reckless driving.

Law enforcement officials said their primary message remains simple: plan ahead, be patient, celebrate responsibly and help make the Fourth of July holiday safe for everyone across the Black Hills.