A Navajo Nation law enforcement vehicle. Photo from Syellowhorse / Wikipedia
Drugs, alcohol and crime are problems found in many communities but the Navajo Nation faces unique challenges. The reservation spans three states -- Arizona, New Mexico and Utah -- and is about the size of West Virginia. Yet there are only 30 police officers on duty at any one time. “We can’t do anything if we can’t get there,” Ronald Yazzie, a sergeant in Tuba City, Arizona, told Fronteras. “Not knowing that you have the capability of helping but you can’t get there that is frustrating it does put that stress on you.” Yazzie is used to riding alone. But after a fellow officer was killed on the job in March, he always waits for backup when responding to domestic violence calls. Get the Story:
Recent Navajo Police Officer Deaths Expose Increased Violence (Fronteras 5/19) Related Stories:
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