Street Crimes Unit (SCU)

The Sioux Falls Police Department Street Crimes Unit (SCU) was created in 2007 to deal with the rising crime problem in the area of West 11th Street and South Duluth Avenue. This unit has two officers that work the afternoon shift and two that work nights. The Street Crimes Unit is part of the Patrol Division; however, its duties differ from those of other officers assigned to Patrol. The SCU is part of a cooperative effort between several City departments including Inspections, Light department, Health department, Xcel Energy, and many others.

The primary task of the SCU is identification, documentation, and prosecution of gang members and their associates. Since January 1, 2008, the SCU has responded to approximately 1,700 calls for service. Two hundred eighty-six resulted in case reports, 304 were arrest reports, and 905 citations were written. Several hundred arrests were made for outstanding warrants and over 80 for narcotic violations. The SCU has also identified 32 gangs in Sioux Falls with an identified membership of 269. They include Hispanic gangs, Outlaw Motorcycle gangs, and Native American street gangs.

The SCU members were involved in the identification of a large mushroom-growing lab in southwest Sioux Falls and a traffic stop that led to the seizure of over four pounds of marijuana. The SCU also assisted the Narcotic Division in breaking up a large methamphetamine distribution ring. Large amounts of marijuana, methamphetamine, ecstasy, LSD, and cash have been located and seized due to the efforts of SCU members.

With the continuous pressure on gang members, 2008 has seen crime continue to drop in the 11th Street and Duluth Avenue area. This is primarily due to the arrest and prosecution of several of the most active and violent members of the Gangster Disciples. SCU efforts have also identified a rapidly rising level of Hispanic gangs in the Whittier Park neighborhood and have started targeted enforcement in that area.