Mahoney agreed to send Dane County deputies, he said, because the request was made based on “our team’s experience in responding to highly volatile demonstrations. Since being on site (in North Dakota) our staff has seen the necessity of law enforcement involvement to protect public safety.

A portion of the protesters have resorted to harming individuals and damaging private property.”

Dane County’s deputies have not arrested anyone, he said.

“Our people have shined, they report they stood in line and were confronted with baseball bats and tire irons," he said. “Our deputies said there was a need for law enforcement.”

He said he was proud of their participation, but “our assistance is complete, we have enough priorities here in our community to address.”

Also, deployment would begin to cost Dane County beyond what would be reimbursed, Mahoney said. After the first week, costs to pay for replacement shifts at home would not be covered.

“They would pay for the ones out there, but not for the ones here who were filling in, and that would be significant money,” he said.