Central Montana Times

U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Representative Matt Rosendale have reached out to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) regarding significant public safety issues in Indian Country. Their letter urges collaboration between the BIA, tribal authorities, and government partners to address these concerns promptly. This action follows a tragic incident where an eight-year-old boy was killed during a shootout in Lame Deer, Montana.

The letter highlights the challenges faced by tribal law enforcement in Montana, which include dealing with dangerous drugs, violent crimes such as murder and human trafficking, and even cartel activities on reservations. The Crow Tribe is currently investigating the disappearance of a thirteen-year-old girl, while multiple tribes have declared states of emergency due to overwhelming methamphetamine and fentanyl problems.

Daines and Rosendale pointed out that "this crisis is exacerbated by a severe shortage of personnel that are forced to police millions of acres without sufficient equipment." They noted that despite available funding from Congress, tribal officers lack essential tools like body cameras. There is also concern over transparency regarding funding for self-determination law enforcement contracts.

The letter calls for immediate action to resolve these issues.