Shakopee Tribe running sophisticated surveillance unit at casino

Wednesday, August 24, 2011  

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community spent at least $10 million on a state-of-the-art surveillance system for its gaming facilities.

The tribe has a digital camera system that can capture license plates and record identifying information about offenders. The Mystic Lake Casino Hotel has 49 surveillance experts that help local law enforcement convict criminals.

"We want our tribal community and our enterprises to be safe for our guests, employees and tribal members," Chairman Stanley R. Crooks told The Minneapolis Star Tribune. "This technology is another tool for the tribal government to use."

The system is the only one of its kind in Minnesota. It's winning praise from local authorities.

"They have an excellent security system, and their security personnel are all first-rate," Ron Hocevar, the chief deputy Scott County attorney, told the paper. "I personally in our office have achieved many convictions. Very few actually get to trial."

Get the Story:
Mystic Lake's gold standard (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 8/24)