No Shootings, Stabbings Reported during 75th Sturgis Rally

STURGIS, S.D. (AP) — Officials credit months of planning on the local, state and federal levels for a lack of violent crime at the 75th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in western South Dakota.

Officials tell the Rapid City Journal that there were the typical fights, alcohol-related offenses and drug arrests. But law enforcement in Sturgis, Deadwood, Spearfish, Rapid City and with the Highway Patrol all report no shootings, stabbings or other major violence.

State Department of Public Safety spokesman Tony Mangan says behind-the-scenes cooperation and planning among law enforcement was a factor in the smooth rally.

Attendance guesses for this year's rally exceeded 1 million people. That had led to some concerns about possible violence, especially after a May shootout in Waco, Texas, involving motorcycle clubs. Nine people were killed and 18 injured.

However, a Rapid City-based health care system saw a record number of visits to its facilities in western South Dakota during the 75th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Regional Health officials say there were more than 1,100 visits to emergency rooms and urgent care facilities during the weeklong rally that ended Sunday. KEVN-TV reports (http://bit.ly/1P3fwTs ) that the number is up nearly 80 percent from last year's rally.

Sturgis Regional Hospital had the largest number of patients, with 471, followed by Rapid City Regional Hospital with 299.

Rapid City Regional Hospital President Mike Gibbs says the amount of traffic during the rally is comparable to trauma centers in large cities like New York and Los Angeles.

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