Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said he’s never experienced anything like it.
He’s talking about the Dakota Access Pipeline protest. Kirschmeier says it has taken a lot of manpower -- and hours.
"A lot of times when the Emergency Operations Center is put together, and you call for assistance, it's for a floord, or something of tthat nature," Kirchmeier said. "That only lasts for a certain amount of time. Here, it's the unknown -- how long is it going to last?"
Kirchmeier said so far, his deputies and officers are holding up – despite the long hours and the tension.
"They're doing very well," Kirchmeier said. "We're just trying to maintain, and make sure the residents of Morton County stay safe."
Kirchmeier’s department has 34 officers. And he said, thanks to mutual aid from other law enforcement, 30 to 50 officers are on duty at any one time.
Kirchmeier wants to make it clear law enforcement is not taking sides in the pipeline dispute itself.
"Law enforcement is here to protect the rights of everybody," Kirchmeier said. "That includes the protestors, and all of the landowners, and the people of Morton County."
Kirchmeier said he is hoping for a peaceful solution – and soon.
