Morton County Says they Need More Manpower at DAPL Site

Morton County has put out a request for more manpower to handle the continuing protests over the Dakota Access Oil pipeline south of Bismarck-Mandan.

Additional officers have already arrived from South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Indiana and Nebraska and more are on the way.

The Morton County Sheriff says his department’s top priority is safety for all involved.

He says several illegal activities took place over the weekend, including a blockade of Highway 1806, which led to the arrests of 127 people.

“Morton County and law enforcement…we support the legal protest activities going on but we do not support any activities that is unlawful surrounding this protest,” said Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier.

Protesters are accused of trespassing on private property, breaching a law enforcement line, firing arrows at officers and flying a drone near a surveillance helicopter.

A total of 269 arrests have been made since the protest began in August.