US Attorney sees a decrease in Wind River Reservation crime

Wyoming’s U.S. Attorney Kip Crofts says an increased presence in law enforcement on the Wind River Reservation is having an effect on high levels of crime there.

Crofts, along with members of the legislature’s Tribal Select and Joint Judiciary Interim Committees, met on Wind River earlier this week to discuss issues related to crime and Crofts says continued federal and state support may be the key to addressing the issue.

"Things are looking better than I’ve ever seen before, and hopefully that’ll continue. Doesn’t mean we’ve wiped out crime or other problems related to it, but at least we’re doing the right thing now, I think."

Earlier this year the state legislature failed to pass legislation that would have authorized Bureau of Indian Affairs officers to enforce state traffic laws on the reservation.

The Wind River Reservation has received scrutiny for high levels of crime after news exposes focused on brutal acts of violence, and Crofts says more outreach and public education could help lawmakers in understanding complex jurisdictional issues on the reservation, and addressing the situation in the future.