Central South Dakota News

Washington - U.S. Senators Mike Rounds and John Thune, along with Representative Dusty Johnson, have sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, urging immediate action to address the public safety crisis and lack of law enforcement resources on reservations in South Dakota. This comes after a previous letter in June 2023 requesting additional support for tribal law enforcement agencies.

In the letter, the delegation emphasizes the severity of the situation, stating, "the shortage of law enforcement personnel in South Dakota tribal communities continues to present a significant threat to public safety." They further explain that tribal law enforcement leaders have reported an increase in violent and drug-related crime since their last letter.

Highlighting the impact of the shortage of law enforcement personnel, the delegation reveals that some tribal governments in South Dakota have declared a state of emergency in response to public safety threats. In addition, residents of tribal communities have resorted to establishing citizen patrols to combat crime. The current situation not only poses a risk to tribal police officers but also to all law-abiding citizens in reservation communities.

The delegation expresses concern over the lack of immediate resources allocated by the Department of the Interior in response to their previous inquiry. They point out that criminal entities are taking advantage of the shortage of manpower and directly targeting reservation communities. The delegation also raises the issue of lengthy hiring processes for tribal police agencies when filling open positions and encourages the Bureau of Indian Affairs to expedite these processes.

To address the crisis, the delegation urges the Department of the Interior to collaborate with the Department of Justice and other federal partners to provide additional resources to tribal law enforcement agencies in South Dakota. They also emphasize the need for the Department of the Interior to consult with individual tribal leaders when seeking immediate solutions.

In conclusion, the delegation requests prompt attention to this matter to prevent a further surge in violent crime in reservation communities. The letter is copied to Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray to ensure that all relevant federal agencies are aware of the urgent situation.

It is now up to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and other federal partners to take action and address the public safety crisis on reservations in South Dakota.

Click this link to access more information: https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-thune-and-johnson-urge-interior-secretary-to-address-public-safety-crisis-on-reservations