Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum says Operation Prairie Thunder will help strengthen the city’s police task forces

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO.com) — Sioux Falls welcomes the help, but the city’s crime rate is already at a five-year low.  Governor Larry Rhoden made headlines earlier this week in unveiling Operation Prairie Thunder.  It beefs up collaborative efforts between local, state and federal law enforcement to tackle drug problems, parole absconders and illegal aliens.  Police Chief Jon Thum says the extra forces will make a difference.

Chief Thum says solid police work has led the city to five year per-capita lows in violent and property crimes.  He is looking forward to releasing new crime numbers within the next month that he says will also show a dramatic improvement in the number of stolen vehicles in the city.