Captain Jason Leach

The Meadowland Violent Crime Reduction Project focuses on a 10-building, 120-unit apartment complex that accounted for 27% of Sioux Falls' homicides in 2025. Previous enforcement efforts centered primarily on directed patrols, but those strategies alone proved ineffective. Since implementing the capstone project, the Sioux Falls Police Department has partnered closely with property management to improve environmental design and resident engagement. The property has undergone significant renovations, installed secure entry doors, and added more than $20,000 in exterior camera systems that are accessible to the police department. A resident outreach initiative, including door hangers with important contact information and reporting resources, was well received. Since these efforts began, the complex has experienced a reduction in calls for service, particularly those involving violent crime. The success of the project has also led to the Sioux Falls Police Department being invited to collaborate with the City's Parks Department on the revitalization of a neighborhood park adjacent to the complex, further supporting long-term crime prevention through community partnership.