Sheriff urges vigilance over fentanyl, outlines county policing benefits for Dell Rapids

Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Nelson told the Dell Rapids City Council that the county’s long-running contract with the city provides detectives, crime‑lab access and continuity of coverage that small towns cannot easily sustain. Nelson said the contract arrangement—combined with partnerships with Sioux Falls PD and the DCI—lets the county provide investigative and patrol resources beyond what a small municipal department could maintain.

Nelson warned the council about drug trends affecting local public safety. “In the building that the city hall occupies, you could probably hold a 1 year supply of fentanyl for The United States,” he said, stressing supply and distribution challenges. Nelson also flagged illicit vapes and methamphetamine as rising problems for teenagers and described how precursors move through international supply chains.

Patrol commander Adam Ziska described day‑to‑day benefits and potential changes in service. He said the county currently provides roughly 22 contracted hours per day and that the office has started in‑town office hours for community access. On possible traffic‑safety investments, Ziska said radar signs can be effective and provided a cost range: “They usually cost between 2,500 and $7,500,” depending on power and features. He also raised the possibility of a full‑time deputy dedicated to Dell Rapids while warning a dedicated position would raise service costs and require benefit coverage.

Council members asked about school resource officers and mental‑health response. Ziska said the sheriff’s office funds SROs who perform DARE and counseling‑style duties and that deputies receive CIT training to better handle mental‑health crises. The presentation concluded with an invitation to community events and offers by the sheriff’s office to assist with radar‑sign placement and deployment studies.