STURGIS, S.D. – Sturgis police say open container violations were their top problem at this year’s motorcycle rally.
Sturgis Police Chief Geody VanDewater says it’s due to rally-goers not educating themselves about how the city’s open container system works.
The city allowed open containers outside for the first time ever this year. However, beer or wine had to be in a special event cup and was only allowed in a designated area downtown.
Signs were posted to inform rally-goers about how the system worked.
The city doled out 1,639 open container violations this year.
The second biggest violation this year was illegal parking – an annual problem for police. This year, police tackled 130 illegal parking issues – ahead of 122 last year.
As for the rest of the numbers, D-U-I numbers totaled 57 – down from last year’s 64. Felony drug arrests totaled 20 – down from 37 last year. And, misdemeanor drug arrests were 29 – well below 2020’s 115.
Police also responded to 40 fight calls, 30 calls for unwanted, intoxicated person, 18 domestic disturbances and 31 stop sign or stop light violations.
Overall non-traffic arrests totaled 129 and traffic arrests were 212. In all, 116 subjects were jailed.
