RAPID CITY, SD — Law enforcement agencies across the northern Black Hills are managing increased traffic, arrests and public safety concerns as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally continues, while officials say activity remains largely in line with last year.

Meade County Chief Deputy James “J.J.” Johns, a former Rapid City Police Department captain, said the county brings in about 10 to 12 additional deputies and other personnel to help handle the surge of visitors. The challenge extends well beyond Sturgis, with deputies still responsible for calls throughout the more than 3,000-square-mile county while also responding to activity at campgrounds and other rally destinations. “Just imagine a city of 100,000 people pops up and now we’re responsible for the law enforcement,” Johns said. “So it’s a challenge.”

Johns said attendance feels somewhat lighter this year, but fewer vehicles on the road can create a different set of problems. With more open space, some drivers and motorcyclists are traveling faster and taking more chances. He also reminded motorists that the temporary 65 mph speed limit between Rapid City and Sturgis applies to local residents as well as rally visitors. “It’s 65 for a reason,” Johns said. “We’ve got to give people room to get on the interstate and off the interstate.”

Despite what may appear to be smaller crowds, Meade County deputies remain busy. Johns said 36 people were booked into the Meade County Jail during one recent night, bringing the jail population to 78 as of 6 a.m. The county opens its older jail beneath the courthouse during the rally to handle additional arrests, particularly people expected to be released or appear before a judge the following morning.

Johns said Meade County deputies made four DUI arrests that night, compared with five during the same period last year, and responded to two injury crashes. Overall calls for service were slightly lower, but he said activity remained generally on pace with last year’s rally.

Rapid City Police Department Public Information Officer Brendyn Medina said the city has also experienced increased motorcycle traffic and crashes, including a fatal motorcycle crash over the weekend. However, officers continue responding to the same calls they handle throughout the rest of the year. Lt. Kelvin Masur said Rapid City may see increases in traffic offenses, crashes and DUI arrests during the rally, but crimes such as burglaries, disturbances and fights appear to be relatively consistent with other times of the year.

Fire danger is another major concern for law enforcement during the rally. Masur urged motorists not to throw cigarettes or even ashes from vehicle windows, warning that the dry conditions can allow a fire to start quickly. He said throwing a cigarette from a vehicle can result in a citation and potentially more serious consequences if it causes a fire.

Johns pointed to Monday’s fire in Meade County as an example of how quickly conditions can become dangerous. “Meade County is dry, folks,” Johns said, adding that firefighters were “a step or two from absolute disaster” as they worked to control the blaze.

The cause of that fire remains under investigation. Johns said investigators identified a specific point of origin along the roadway, but officials have not made a final determination about what started it. He said investigators can use the location and pattern of a fire to help determine possible causes, including whether it could have resulted from a mechanical issue, dragging trailer chains or another ignition source.

Officials are also asking rally visitors to plan ahead when attending concerts and other large events, particularly when alcohol is involved. Johns said Meade County has limited resources to cover multiple large venues simultaneously, making coordination essential. “There’s no reason for people to climb on a motorcycle tuned up,” Johns said, noting that buses and other transportation options are available.

Despite the long hours, Johns said deputies are seeing generally good behavior from rallygoers. Meade County has also used humor on social media to connect with visitors, including a running joke about deputies earning toasters for writing speeding tickets. The joke took off online, eventually prompting a South Dakota serviceman stationed with the USS Nimitz to arrange for toasters to be delivered to the sheriff’s office.

Johns said the lighthearted posts provide a welcome break for deputies working 12- to 14-hour days during one of the busiest periods of the year. “It just brings a little bit of levity and a little bit of humor and reminds everybody that we’re still human as well,” he said.

As the rally continues, officials said the priorities remain straightforward: slow down, pay attention, avoid impaired driving and take the region’s extreme fire danger seriously.