U.S. Senator Mike Rounds has called for the establishment of a “Violent Crime Reduction Commission” to address the issue of violent crime on reservations. In a letter addressed to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Rounds emphasized the need for a multi-jurisdictional effort involving officials from the Department of Justice, the Department of the Interior, and tribal leaders.
Rounds highlighted that several tribes have shown interest in forming this commission, which aims to tackle crime more effectively than traditional law enforcement methods. He noted that some tribes experience violent crime rates five times higher than the national average, indicating that alternative solutions are necessary.
“Great Plains reservation communities are continuing to deal with a public safety crisis,” wrote Rounds. He attributed part of this crisis to narcotics trafficking, which strains tribal law enforcement agencies and contributes to violence in these communities.
Rounds pointed out that many Great Plains law enforcement agencies are understaffed, with some departments having only two or three officers per shift. This shortage is particularly concerning given the vast areas these officers must cover. He stressed that both federal and tribal law enforcement must work together to address this issue.
The proposed commission would aim to deploy resources directly to tribal agencies in need, potentially improving methods for disbursing key resources such as competitive grant funding. Rounds emphasized that extensive tribal consultation should be an integral part of any efforts to enhance public safety.
He expressed hope that due to President Trump’s dedication to fighting violent crime, it is an opportune time for the federal government to reevaluate and strengthen tribal public safety programs.
Rounds has been actively involved in addressing public safety issues on reservations in South Dakota. His previous efforts include urging additional support for tribal law enforcement agencies and requesting changes in funding mechanisms for public safety programs.
