LAKE NORDEN—First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard recently donated $75,000 to the Lake Norden Police Department to help it buy a new four-wheel drive police vehicle. The northeastern South Dakota community, home to a First PREMIER Bank branch, has experienced steady growth over the past few years, prompting the need to add an additional police officer.

“We learned from the Lake Norden Chief of Police that budget concerns had left the new police officer with an unreliable 2010 vehicle with over 150,000 miles on it,” said First PREMIER Bank CEO Dana Dykhouse. “We knew we needed to help the department get a more reliable vehicle for its team.”

Lake Norden Chief of Police Tony Aas said the cost for a police-equipped, four-wheel drive vehicle is roughly $75,000. He added that four-wheel drive is essential in northeastern South Dakota to ensure the safety of its residents and its officers. The officer and vehicle will serve Lake Norden, as well as nearby Hayti.

“We can’t think of a more meaningful way to give back to our communities than to support local law enforcement and provide them with essential equipment,” added Dykhouse.  

Lake Norden Branch Manager Breanna Beebe, Mayor Jason Aho, Chief of Police Tony Aas, First PREMIER Bank CEO Dana Dykhouse, First PREMIER Bank President Dave Rozenboom, PREMIER Bankcard President Ben Marcello and several staff members from First PREMIER Bank in Lake Norden and Watertown were present at the donation announcement.