Latest news with #Thum
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Overdose deaths prompt response from Police Chief
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum wants people to remain vigilant when it comes to drug overdoses. The chief spoke with reporters today following three deaths in the past few weeks believed to be related to overdoses. So far in 2025, drug overdoses have killed seven people in Sioux Falls, with an 8th suspected case awaiting toxicology tests. SFPD: 7 confirmed overdose deaths so far in 2025 'When we look at these drug cases, I think sometimes we hear terminology, like hey it's a bad batch, or its a hot batch, the reality is with the drugs we are dealing with in this day and age, there is no such thing, they are all bad batches, said Thum. At this time last year the city had ten deaths linked to drug overdoses. Emily's Hope founder Angela Kennecke looks at the drop in deaths so far, as a small victory. 'Overdose deaths actually decreased by 20 percent. I think that is a good thing. However, of course, the eight tragic deaths and how those have impacted families and friends, that's awful. And I want to see no deaths at all, but to have the numbers going down, I think that's fantastic,' said Kennecke. Kennecke's nonprofit, Emily's Hope, has distributed more than a thousand doses of Naloxone, also called Narcan, statewide in the past year. Kennecke says people are relaying information to her that they have already prevented several overdoses. 'So I have had separate people approach me, at different times to tell me that Naloxone has saved someone's life. The Naloxone they got from an Emily's Hope distribution box,' said Kennecke. Those public Naloxone distribution boxes are placed in strategic locations throughout South Dakota. Kennecke says Naloxone is a tool, not a cure. 'So we also offer a post-overdose response team for people who have survived an overdose to connect them with the resources that they need. It has to be followed up with the right kind of care to treat substance abuse disorder,' said Kennecke. Chief Thum agrees, it's what happens after an overdose that can lead to change. 'If you are not dealing with the root cause, if you are not dealing with people who have that demand for that narcotic and some of those issues that are there, it's a multi-faceted approach that has to be taken,' said Thum. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
SFPD: 7 confirmed overdose deaths so far in 2025
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Police in Sioux Falls continue to see the impact of drug and alcohol addictions in the community. Container homes face challenges in Sioux Falls market Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum said there's been seven overdose deaths in Sioux Falls, which is below 10 at the same point in 2024. He said one additional possible overdose death is still awaiting toxicology reports. 'They're all bad drugs,' Thum said. 'There's no safe way to do drugs.' Thum said the recent drug overdoses in the state prison has brought additional discussion about deadly drugs in the community. 'This is an issue and problem we continue to work on collectively,' Thum said. He said parents can't have enough conversations with kids about the dangers of drugs and addiction. There are overdoses that police aren't aware about because NARCAN might be used or someone might be helped before it results in a death. 'NARCAN is buying another chance but that only works with fentanyl,' Thum said. KELOLAND News will have more coverage from Thum's news conference on addiction impacts in Sioux Falls. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
TenHaken, Thum oppose proposed prison locations in SF
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — As members of Project Prison Reset's task force consider where to recommend building a new men's prison in South Dakota, two city of Sioux Falls officials are making clear where they don't want the penitentiary's replacement to go. Mayor-Paul-TenHaken-05.09.2025Download A letter dated May 6 from the office of Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken was received May 9 by the governor's office in Pierre. The letter, which is signed by TenHaken and Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum, addresses six different proposed locations for a new men's prison in the state. It asks the task force to look at 'the long-term well-being of the communities that support our state.' Report: New law will add to more prison needs TenHaken and Thum oppose two proposed locations within Sioux Falls city limits: land to the immediate southwest of the intersection between Interstate 90 and Interstate 29 as well as the former Citibank campus in north Sioux Falls. They're similarly opposed to two other locations which are nearly within Sioux Falls city limits: one at the intersection of 259th Street and Marion Road and another south of Interstate 90 to the west of the city. In the letter, the mayor and police chief write that locations close to Foundation Park, the corridor of Cliff Avenue and 60th Street and the intersection of I-29 and I-90 'are areas of significant strategic importance—not simply for Sioux Falls, but for the state as a whole.' Thum and TenHaken say these spots impact investment, commerce and visibility for the whole state. Putting a prison in one of those four locations, they write, 'would constrain these advantages and limit the contributions Sioux Falls is able to make.' Two proposed locations for the new prison do, however, have TenHaken and Thum's approval. One is in the Worthing, S.D. area south of Sioux Falls on Highway 18, and the other is the familiar site in Lincoln County between Harrisburg and Canton where a bill in Pierre failed to receive enough votes to appropriate money to build a prison. Nevertheless, it remains an option for the project. KELOLAND News reached out Wednesday to the mayor's office as well as the Sioux Falls Police Department for interviews with TenHaken and Thum, but neither were made available. Project Prison Reset's next meeting is scheduled for June 3 in Pierre. Another letter, from the Sioux Falls Development Foundation dated May 9, was also sent to the governor's office. doc00283320250509144900Download Members of Project Prison Reset are also considering information from a study completed by consultant Arrington Watkins that points to an even bigger need. Work group members told KELOLAND News the state will need to review incarceration policies to find ways to reduce incarceration and recidivism numbers in the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
Thum promotes ‘Shred Event' for CrimeStoppers
SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — The Sioux Empire CrimeStoppers Shred Event will be held for its 16th year. Chief Jon Thum spoke at Thursday's police briefing promoting the event to residents that want to shred or dispose of personal documents that they don't want to traditionally throw away. What's in South Dakota's settlement with the NCAA Thum said there is a suggested donation at the event that funds the continuation of CrimeStoppers, a police tip line that assists officers in investigations. The shred event will be in the parking lots at four locations from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Thum: Over 250 kids in Sioux Falls looking for mentors
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Hundreds of kids throughout Sioux Falls are looking for a mentor. It's a topic that city officials have brought to our attention repeatedly, including at Wednesday morning's press conference at City Hall. According to Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum, over 250 kids in Sioux Falls are looking for a mentor. Britton backing Goedert on Sunday 'We are a city of 220,000. 250 kids in our community are without a mentor. You do the math. That's not a very big percentage of people who have to raise their hand, show up and say, 'You know what, I'll be there,'' Thum said. You might not see results right away. 'Think of us as the Home Depot. We give students the tools and guidance they need to build their houses. Their homes may not take shape immediately, but when the time comes, they'll reach into their tool belts. Whether it's through a conversation, a lesson, or even a simple game of UNO, they'll use that to build their future. That's mentorship,' Laura B. Anderson Elementary School dean of students Chris Bierle said. But the impact you can make by just giving about 45 minutes of your time per week is well worth the effort. 'I think having a mentor opens them up to new worldviews. It opens them up to new relationships. The neatest thing is that they're often times to people whose paths would likely never cross, so both mentor and mentee get a great experience in learning about other people,' LSS senior director of community services Michelle Madsen said. And as a mentor, all you have to do is be present. 'They're not looking for a therapy session. They're not looking for someone to solve all their issues, all their problems. They're looking for somebody just to show up, be their friend, provide guidance, be a stable adult influence in their life, and many of us have the capabilities to do that,' Thum said. You can sign up to be a mentor in Sioux Falls for programs such as Sioux 52, Lutheran Social Services and TeamMates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
