South Dakota’s Operation: Prairie Thunder (OPT) continued its community-based enforcement efforts as law enforcement agencies completed the program’s 12th saturation patrol operation March 13, 2026, in Hot Springs. Operation: Prairie Thunder brings together the South Dakota Highway Patrol and ci ty, county, and federal law enforcement partners for focused saturation patrols aimed at enhancing public safety and strengthening collaboration among agencies across South Dakota. Through the initiative, participating agencies share personnel and resources while supporting one another’s enforcement and community safety efforts. The Highway Patrol is an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. Results from the Hot Springs operation, along with cumulative totals from all 12 OPT operations, are below. ...read more read less