New Effort to Fight Crime on Standing Rock Reservation Succeeds, Dorgan Says

Press Release

NEW EFFORT TO FIGHT CRIME ON STANDING ROCK RESERVATION SUCCEEDS, DORGAN SAYS

Senator pushes to extend successful Operation Dakota Peacekeeper

U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) announced Thursday that the increase in BIA law enforcement he secured for Standing Rock Indian Reservation has successfully boosted arrests and reduced crime in the area. Dorgan, Chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, said he is pushing to make the increase in law enforcement permanent.

Senator Dorgan has pushed the BIA for nearly a year to increase law enforcement at Standing Rock. Earlier this year, he organized a request from the North Dakota and South Dakota congressional delegations. In response, the BIA announced an initiative called "Operation Dakota Peacekeeper," which transferred 20 full-time officers to serve Standing Rock. Officials have reported that arrests have increased and crime on the reservation has dropped.

"Operation Dakota Peacekeeper is a good start to reduce crime on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, but we need a long-term solution to keep crime levels down once these officers leave in 90 days," said Dorgan. "The Bureau of Indian Affairs must act quickly to develop a sustained strategy to reduce crime on the Standing Rock Reservation."

According to BIA statistics for 2007, the Standing Rock Reservation had a violent crime rate that was five and a half times higher than the national rate.

To improve justice in Indian Country, Dorgan has authored draft legislation on law and order aimed at reforming this broken system. Dorgan's bill would put tools to fight crime back in the hands of tribal justice officials, and would enhance coordination and consultation between federal and tribal justice officials. It would also encourage greater cooperation at the local level between Tribes and local communities. Dorgan also secured $1.2 million in a pending appropriations bill to provide the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe the necessary equipment and staff to operate a new 18-bed juvenile detention facility on the reservation.

"The families who live and work in these communities deserve to know that they are safe, and that their law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to reduce crime," Dorgan said.

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