Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier is asking for help from other states to deal with the continuing Dakota Access Pipeline protests.
Kirchmeier told reporters in Mandan Monday the events of the past weekend – with 127 protestors being arrested – caused him to send out a call to other states for help.
"We've reached a point to where additional manpower is needed to sustain our activities," Kirchmeier said. "And, it's to ensure the safety of everybody involved."
Kirchmeier said that includes people who live in Morton County, as well as the protestors. He said that's been the top priority since the protests began.
"We want to make sure this comes to a very safe and appropriate conclusion," Kirchmeier said.
Kirchmeier said officers have arrived – or will be on-scene shortly – from South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Indiana and Nebraska.
State Highway 1806 remains closed from near Ft. Rice to the junction of state highway 24. That – after protestors blocked the highway over the weekend. Those barricades have been removed – but protestors remain on site.
(For a video clip of Kirchmeier's statement, go to the Prairie Public News Facebook page.)