Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said he has increased patrols in southern Morton County, in response to activities of some of the Dakota Access Pipeline protestors.
Kirchmeier told reporters some of the pipeline protestors have – as he put it – “disdained the rule of law.”
"That has resulted in a heightened level of fear and concerns among our residents," Krichmeier said."And those fears are real."
Kirchmeier said some of the residents have been threatened, intimated and terrorized. He said safety remains the top priority.
"We have deputies specifically assigned to go around and talk to the local farmers and ranchers, and residents in that area, to make sure we have all of their concerns covered," Kirchmeier said.
Kirchmeier said since protests began, 96 protestors have been arrested. Of those, 81 are from outside North Dakota.
Measnwhile, two sheriffs’ associations have offered help to Kirchmeier, should he need more help in dealing with the Dakota Access Pipeline protestors. Both the National Sheriffs’ Association and the Western States Sheriffs’ Association have said they would provide officers to Morton County.
Sheriff Danny Glick is from Cheyenne, Wyoming. He’s the Laramie County Sheriff, and is the past president of the National association.
"When we get a call from Sheriff Kirchmeier, we will be ready to respond and assist where we are able," Glick told reporters.
Law enforcement officers from across North Dakota have also been called to respond to the protest.