The Farmington Daily Times continues its five-part series on Indian race relations and civil rights issues in Farmington, New Mexico.

The second installment looks into disparities in the justice system. According to data from 2003, Native Americans are only 17 percent of Farmington's population but represent 57 percent of arrests.

While still extremely high, the data shows somewhat of an improvement. In 1973, Native Americans accounted for 83 percent of all arrests.

The numbers also differ at the county level. Native Americans are 40 percent of the county population and 42 percent of all arrests.

Duane "Chili" Yazzie, the president of the Shiprock Chapter of the Navajo Nation, said the data indicates an improvement in race relations. But he says the high rate of DUI arrests of Native Americans -- 58 percent in the city and 62 percent in the county -- indicates some racial profiling and targeting of residents of the Navajo Nation, where alcohol is banned.

Get the Story:
Report: Native arrests don't match demographic (The Farmington Daily Times 3/22)

Civil Rights Commission Report:
The Farmington Report: Civil Rights for Native Americans 30 Years Later (November 2005

Related Stories:
Paper examines Indian race relations, civil rights (3/22)
Editorial: Race relations improving in Farmington (03/02)
Navajo race relations subject of Civil Rights report (3/1)
Navajos turn out for civil rights commission hearing (05/03)
Civil rights panel to hold hearing in Farmington (4/29)
Racism still a sore subject 30 years after murders (4/27)
Navajos see bias in New Mexico city's justice system (4/26)
Navajo homeless men claim assault by white youth (4/23)
Navajos recall discrimination by local businesses (4/22)
1974 murders of Navajo men stir strong feelings (4/21)