EMAIL TEMPLATES

Want answers but don't know where to start? Use these templates as a jumping off point to share your concerns with elected leaders.Tips for senders:
- Attach or link to the petition.
- Personalize with where you live (cross streets help).
- Keep the “three requests” identical to the petition language to ensure messages align.
- If you’re outside the city of Sioux Falls, mention where you work/volunteer or your connection to the city.

council rep email template

Subject: Constituent request re: "Operation Prairie Thunder in District [#]Dear Council Member [LAST NAME],
I’m a resident of Ward [#] at [YOUR STREET/NEAREST INTERSECTION].I’m writing about "Operation: Prairie Thunder." I support reasonable, transparent steps that keep people safe and protect civil liberties.I’m asking you to:
[Objective #1 — e.g., “Convene a public listening session and publish Q&A before any deployment/expansion.”][Objective #2 — e.g., “Release vendor contracts, policies, and a plain-language summary on the City website.”][Objective #3 — e.g., “Adopt baseline safeguards: limited data retention, prohibition on secondary use without consent, quarterly public reporting, independent oversight.”]
Here is the petition we're circulating: [LINK]Could you share your position and what actions you’ll take before the next Council meeting on [DATE]?Thanks for your service,
[YOUR NAME]
[PHONE] • [EMAIL]

mayor email template

Subject: Request for transparency, safeguards, and public engagement on "Operation: Prairie Thunder"Dear Mayor Tenhaken,
I’m writing regarding "Operation: Prairie Thunder." Residents want policies that keep people safe without undermining trust or rights.The following steps are practical and easy to implement:[Objective #1 — e.g., “Convene a public listening session and publish Q&A before any deployment/expansion.”][Objective #2 — e.g., “Release vendor contracts, policies, and a plain-language summary on the City website.”][Objective #3 — e.g., “Adopt baseline safeguards: limited data retention, prohibition on secondary use without consent, quarterly public reporting, independent oversight.”]Here is the petition we're circulating: [LINK]Please share your position and the steps you’ll take by [DATE]. I’m available to meet or speak during public comment.Respectfully,
[YOUR NAME]
[ADDRESS or CROSS STREETS] • [PHONE] • [EMAIL]

Petition Language

Common-Sense Guardrails for “Operation: Prairie Thunder”

Preamble
We support effective public safety grounded in trust, transparency, and the rule of law. Because Prairie Thunder introduces new policing activities in and around Sioux Falls, we ask City leadership to adopt the following reasonable guardrails that protect our neighbors, our budget, and our constitutional rights while allowing lawful criminal investigations to proceed.Our Objectives
1. Publish the paperwork (within 30 days).Post all memorandums of understanding (MOUs), operational policies, and clear exit criteria for any Prairie Thunder activity inside Sioux Falls city limits. If documents do not exist, confirm that in writing and provide a timeline for drafting and public release.2. Data, not press conferences (start within 60 days).Launch a monthly public dashboard of stops, searches, arrests, hand-offs to other agencies, and use-of-force broken out by location and outcome, with anti-profiling metrics (including perceived race/ethnicity where lawfully collected).3. Judicial warrants only (effective immediately).Adopt a written policy that City staff, facilities, and data will not be used for civil immigration enforcement without a judge-signed warrant or court order, while continuing to comply fully with lawful criminal investigations.4. Protect community spaces (adopt within 30 days).Designate schools, hospitals, places of worship, and courthouses as off-limits for civil immigration actions by City personnel, and communicate this policy in multiple languages.5. Aerial & data safeguards (publish within 45 days).Release written limits on aerial surveillance over neighborhoods and civic events, plus data-sharing “firewalls” and access-log procedures for any City systems potentially reachable by outside agencies.6. Safe reporting for victims & witnesses (adopt within 30 days).Affirm in writing that victims and witnesses will not be asked about immigration status, and expand/publicize U- and T-visa certification support.7. Costs in the sunlight (before further expansions).Disclose projected and actual City costs (including overtime, court burden, and potential liability) and require a public Council vote before any new commitments of City resources.8. Independent, time-limited oversight (seat within 60 days).Create a one-year community advisory group – including immigrant-led organizations – to review dashboard data, policies, and complaints, and to recommend adjustments and an off-ramp if goals aren’t met.These objectives do not restrict lawful criminal investigations or compliance with court orders. They establish basic transparency, civil-rights protections, and prudent budgeting for City-involved activities.

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