Crime Crisis on South Dakota Reservation Sparks State of Emergency Declaration

The Pine Ridge Reservation, the largest Native American reservation in South Dakota, is grappling with a rampant crime wave that has overwhelmed law enforcement agencies and caught the attention of tribal leader Frank Star Comes Out. Reports indicate that gun violence, drug offenses, and rapes have become alarmingly common on the reservation, prompting Comes Out to declare a state of emergency. With only 33 officers and eight investigators responsible for over 100,000 emergency calls annually on the 5,400-square-mile reservation, response times have been delayed or nonexistent.

Comes Out expressed his concerns in an interview on Friday, stating that the current situation is dire and dangerous for both officers and the community. He emphasized the overwhelming workload, low pay, and inadequate staffing levels that have left the officers overworked and outmanned. Comes Out also noted that the federal government has failed to provide the necessary support, despite the Oglala Sioux Tribe's entitlement to funding for 120 officers. However, federal officials dispute this claim, citing population count discrepancies.

Earlier this year, U.S. District Judge Roberto Lange ruled that the government bears an obligation to support law enforcement on the reservation but did not determine if the tribe should receive the full funding it requested. Lange did urge the federal government to reevaluate its census counts and arrange a meeting with tribal leaders to discuss funding. The judge acknowledged that a lack of competent and effective law enforcement on the Pine Ridge Reservation played a significant role in the current crisis.

The implications of this case extend beyond Pine Ridge, potentially affecting other tribes, such as the Northern Cheyenne Tribe in Montana, where a similar lawsuit has been filed. The Indian Law Resource Center has reported that indigenous women on some reservations are murdered at rates exceeding the national average by more than tenfold. The outcome of the Pine Ridge case has the potential to shed light on the larger issue of underfunded law enforcement services in Native American communities.

Comes Out's anticipated declaration of a state of emergency highlights the inadequacy of the U.S. government's funding for law enforcement on the reservation. The Oglala Sioux Tribe president believes that negotiations with the government have stagnated, with little progress made in resolving the crisis. Comes Out suspects that the government is stalling, exacerbating the already dire situation.

While the declaration itself may not hold legal weight, it serves as a powerful statement drawing attention to the issue and putting pressure on the U.S. government. Robert Miller, a law professor at Arizona State University specializing in federal Native American law, noted the significance of this case, stating that it raises awareness and forces the government to address its responsibilities to tribal nations.

The Pine Ridge case serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by Native American communities and the urgent need for adequate funding and support for law enforcement. As the crisis persists, it is crucial for the government to take tangible and effective measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and other Native American reservations across the country.