South Dakota Laws & Safety Info

We at the Buffalo Chip Campground hope to help all visitors to the Rally with information regarding Law’s and Safety

We were handed a card that was printed by the ACLU. It’s reprinted here for your information.

What To Do If You’re Stopped By The Police:

Be polite and respectful. Never badmouth a police officer.

Stay calm and in control of your words, body language and emotions.

Don’t get into an argument with the police.

Remember, anything you say or do can be used against you.

Keep your hands where the police can see them.

Don’t run. Don’t touch any police officer.

Don’t resist, even if you believe you are innocent.

Don’t complain on the scene or tell the police they’re wrong or that you’re going to file a complaint.

Do not make any statements regarding the incident.

Ask for a lawyer immediately upon your arrest.

Remember officers’ badge and patrol car numbers.

Write down everything you remember ASAP.

Try to find witnesses and their names and phone numbers.

If you are injured, take photographs of the injuries as soon as possible, but make sure you seek medical attention first.

If you feel your rights have been violated, file a written complaint with the police department’s internal affairs division of civilian complaint board.

  1. What you say to the police is always important. What you say can be used against you, and it can give the police an excuse to arrest you, especially if you badmouth a police officer.
  2. You don’t have to answer a police officer’s questions, but you must show your driver’s license and registration when stopped in a car. In other situations, you can’t legally be arrested for refusing to identify yourself to a police officer.
  3. You don’t have to consent to any search of yourself, your car or your house. If you DO consent to a search, if can affect your rights later in court. If the police say they have a search warrant, ASK TO SEE IT.
  4. Do not interfere with, or obstruct the police – you can be arrested for it.

If You Are Stopped For Questioning:

  1. It’s not a crime to refuse to answer questions, but refusing to answer can make the police suspicious about you. You can’t be arrested for merely refusing to identify yourself on the street.
  2. Police may “pat-down” your clothing if they suspect a concealed weapon. Don’t physically resist, but make it clear that you don’t consent to any further search.
  3. Ask if you are under arrest. If you are, you have a right to know why.
  4. Don’t badmouth the police officer or run away, even if you believe what is happening is unreasonable. That could lead to your arrest.

If You Are Stopped in Your Car:

  1. Upon request, show them your driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance. In certain cases, your car can be searched without a warrant as long as the police have probable cause. To protect yourself later, you should make it clear that you do not consent to a search. It is not lawful for police to arrest you simply for refusing to consent to a search.
  2. If you’re given a ticket, you should sign it. Otherwise, you can be arrested. You can always fight the case in court later.
  3. If you’re suspected of drunk driving (DWI), and refuse to take a blood, urine or breath test, your driver’s license may be suspended.

If You Are Arrested or Taken to a Police Station:

  1. You have the right to remain silent and to talk to a lawyer before you talk to the police. Tell the police nothing except your name and address. Don’t give any explanations, excuses or stories. You can make your defense later, in court, based on what you and your lawyer decide is best.
  2. Ask to see a lawyer immediately. If you can’t pay for a lawyer, you have a right to a free one and should ask the police how the lawyer can be contacted. Don’t say anything without a lawyer.
  3. Within a reasonable time after your arrest, or booking, you have the right to make a local phone call: to a lawyer, bail bondsman, a relative or any other person. The police may not listen to the call to the lawyer.
  4. Sometimes you can be released without bail, or have bail lowered. Have your lawyer ask the judge about this possibility. You must be taken before the judge on the next court day after arrest.
  5. Do not make any decision in your case until you have talked with a lawyer.

In Your Home:

  1. If the police knock and ask to enter your home, you don’t have to admit them, unless they have a warrant signed by a judge.
  2. However, in some emergency situations (like when a person is screaming for help inside, or when the police are chasing someone) officers are allowed to enter and search your home without a warrant.
  3. If you are arrested, the police can search you and the area close by. If you are in a building, “close by” usually means just the room you are in.

We all recognize the need for effective law enforcement, but we should also understand our own rights and responsibilities – especially in our relationships with the police. Everyone, including minors, has the right to courteous and respectful police treatment. If your rights are violated, don’t try to deal with the situation at the scene. You can discuss the matter with an attorney afterwards, or file a complaint with the Internal Affairs or Civilian Complaint Board.

Produced by the American Civil Liberties Union

Meade County Ordinances

Many Chipsters have requested information about the Meade County Ordinances dealing with nudity and fires.  For your information and review, those Ordinances are below.

Ordinance #25 – Nudity – Coming soon…

Ordinance #27 – Fires

Meade County

Rally Emergencies

The following information was developed into a pamphlet by the South Dakota Office of Emergency Management and the Black Hills Area County Emergency Manager. You may find these brochures at Rally-friendly businesses, highway rest stops, and Rally campgrounds. We encourage you to print this page out and provide a copy to each member of your party just in case there is an emergency and a real need for the information that follows.

South Dakota Black Hills Area Hospitals:

Sturgis

Sturgis Hospital

949 Harmon St

Custer

Custer Community Hospital

1039 Montgomery St

Deadwood

Northern Hills General Hospital

61 Charles St

Hot Springs

Fall River Health Services

209 North 5th St

Hot Springs

VA Medical Center

500 North 5th St

Lemmon

Five Counties Hospital

405 6th Ave W

Martin (57551)

Bennett County Health Care Center

Highway 73

Phillip (57567)

Hans Peterson Memorial Hospital

503 W. Pine St

Pine Ridge (57770)

Pine Ridge IHS Hospital

607 Indian Health Rd

Rapid City (57701)

Monument Health Rapid City Hospital

353 Fairmont Blvd

Rapid City (57701)

Sioux San IHS Hospital

3200 Canyon Lake Dr

Spearfish

Monument Health Spearfish Hospital

1440 N Main St