Senator Mike Rounds, US Senator for South Dakota | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Senator Mike Rounds, US Senator for South Dakota | Official U.S. Senate headshot
U.S. Senator Mike Rounds has reached out to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Secretary of the Department of Interior Deb Haaland, urging them to address a critical public safety issue on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST) is grappling with an increase in violent crime and insufficient resources to manage it.
The OST Department of Public Safety faces an overwhelming number of calls for help, approximately 166,000 annually, but only has 33 officers available to respond. This shortage has led tribal leaders to declare an extended state of emergency. Despite ongoing requests for federal support, the response has been inadequate.
"While tribal officials have dealt with public safety issues for several years, a recent series of violent crimes has created a desperate situation on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation," stated Rounds. He emphasized that "the OST Department of Public Safety is critically understaffed and under-resourced, and federal assistance is essential to safeguard lives and restore order."
Rounds highlighted that over the past two years, tribal leaders have repeatedly sought help from federal law enforcement without significant results. He urged these agencies to act promptly: "Despite these efforts, there has been no substantial federal response to the public safety crisis."
In his letter, Rounds pointed out that since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the OST's challenges have intensified due to increasing crime rates and limited capacity at correctional facilities. The reservation has experienced numerous violent incidents recently, including a fatal shooting involving a juvenile and a double homicide.
The senator called attention to the federal government's trust responsibility in providing adequate public safety services in Indian Country. He underscored that it is crucial for federal authorities to provide additional personnel, equipment, and jail capacity as soon as possible.
"Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter," concluded Rounds in his appeal for immediate action.
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