Governor Kristi Noem’s office is reviving plans to build a security fence around the governor’s mansion in Pierre. The project will be completed sometime this fall.
Ian Fury is a spokesperson with the governor’s office. He says it’s no secret some people have taken issue with the governor’s responses to the coronavirus pandemic.
“It only takes one individual taking that level of disagreement to the next level of violence. In America, obviously, we debate topics, we don’t turn to violence. It only takes one, and the governor’s security team has seen such threats and is recommending we put a fence up around the residence in order to deter that.”
Staff would not provide any details or specifics about recent threats against the governor.
Last year, a recommendation for a security fence came in with a $400,000 price tag. That plan was abandoned.
The governor’s office says private fundraising will pay for part of the security fence costs.
They say the state will put out a request for bids in the coming days.
The governor’s mansion sits on a four acre lot the east side of Capitol Lake with a view of the state capitol.