The Mandan, Hidatsa Federal Bureau of Investigation Director and Arikara Nation hosted Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey in New Town, North Dakota, on June 6, 2016. Photo from Sen. Heidi Heitkamp
The leader of the Federal Bureau of Investigation visited the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation in North Dakota on Monday. According to news reports, Chairman Mark Fox said crime is running rampant on the Fort Berthold Reservation. He cited drugs as a major concern. “It’s no secret that we struggle with the advent of crime, over the past seven or eight years we’ve gotten a little bit desperate,” Fox told The Williston Herald. “The excess of crime on Fort Berthold is literally killing our people and tearing our people apart.” According to news reports, FBI Director James Comey suggested restarting a multi-jurisdictional task force to address issues in and near Indian Country. He also said a new office office in Williston, about 73 miles from the western border of the reservation, will help direct resources to the tribe. “The devastation experienced by tribal communities like MHA Nation – that have been ravaged by drug cartels operating brazenly on their reservations, increased drug abuse, sexual and domestic violence, and the loss of too many young Native girls to sex trafficking – will reverberate for generations unless changes are made. For too long, reservations have been jurisdictional havens for criminals who know there is no cop on the beat,” Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-North Dakota), who asked Comey to visit a reservation in the Great Plains, said in a press release. Get the Story:
FBI chief visits Williston (The Williston Herald 6/7)
As FBI opens office in Williston, tribal leader says crime ‘killing our people’ (Forum News Service 6/7)
FBI Director Makes Stop In New Town (KXNews 6/6)
FBI Office Opens In Williston (KXNews 6/6)
FBI Director in Williston for official opening of resident agency (KFYR 6/6)
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