‘People are dying’: Tribal leaders demand action on public safety crisis in Rapid City

The Great Plains Tribal Chairmen's Association Inc. will hold a two-day event in Rapid City, South Dakota, Aug. 19-20, calling for public safety funding amid what its leaders describe as escalating violent crime.

Lack of funding has created a “life-threatening public safety crisis,” covering only 13% of the total need, according to the press release. This has resulted in federal and tribal officers staffing shortages and affected emergency response times, drug enforcement, criminal investigations and domestic violence response across South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska reservations, according to the association. “People are dying. We need action on public safety now," GPTCA Executive Director A. Gay Kingman was quoted as saying. 

GPTCA chairman and Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out said public safety  funding is a treaty responsibility. 

Tribal leaders and law enforcement professionals plan to develop priorities on funding, staffing, federal responsibilities, equipment, drug enforcement, courts, detention and public safety resources. Listed participants include Gov. Larry Rhoden and BIA Office of Justice Services Director Charles Addington.