INDIANS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT - A STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF THE OFF-RESERVATION INDIAN PROBLEM ON SOUTH DAKOTA LOCAL GOVERNMENT WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT

• NCJ Number: 64170
• Author(s): W O FARBER; P A ODEEN; R A TSCHETTER
• Date Published: 1957
• Length: 99 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Social Science Research Council; University of South Dakota
• Corporate Author: University of South Dakota; University of South Dakota
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FUND PUBLICATION, REPORT NUMBER 37

Annotation

PROBLEMS POSED FOR SOUTH DAKOTA LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, PARTICULARLY LAW ENFORCEMENT, BY THE INCREASED MIGRATION OF INDIANS FROM RESERVATIONS TO CITIES AND TOWNS ARE IDENTIFIED AND REMEDIAL ACTION PROPOSED.

Abstract

OFF-RESERVATION COMMUNITIES HAVE GRADUALLY EXPERIENCED THE IMPACT OF INDIAN MIGRATION AS THE ECONOMIC BASE ON THE RESERVATIONS HAS PROVEN TO BE INADEQUATE TO SUPPORT RESERVATION POPULATIONS. PRECIPITATING AND FUELING THIS TREND HAS BEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S DETERMINATION TO TRANSFER RESPONSIBILITIES FOR INDIANS TO THE STATES. THE INDIAN POPULATION, BECAUSE OF MALADJUSTMENT, CULTURAL DIFFERENCES, AND POOR JOB SKILLS IS PLACING A HEAVY BURDEN ON EXISTING SOCIAL, CHARITABLE, AND PENAL ARRANGEMENTS. THIS STUDY EXAMINED THESE PROBLEMS IN DETAIL THROUGH VISITS TO OFF-RESERVATION TOWNS IN 1956, INTERVIEWS WITH LOCAL OFFICIALS AND CITIZENS (PARTICULARLY INDIANS), AND DISCUSSIONS WITH FEDERAL AND STATE OFFICIALS INVOLVED WITH THE INDIAN PROBLEM. FINDINGS SHOW THAT THE IMPACT OF OFF-RESERVATION LAW ENFORCEMENT PROBLEMS ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS GROWING AND CONSTITUTES AN IMPORTANT COST ITEM IN SOME MUNICIPALITIES. THE CAUSES OF INDIAN CRIME WERE FOUND NOT TO BE FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE CAUSES OF NON-INDIAN CRIME, NOTABLY, DISCRIMINATION, LOW INCOME, LACK OF OPPORTUNITY, AND DIFFERENT CULTURAL VALUES. EXCESSIVE DRINKING WAS FOUND TO BE A PRINCIPAL FACTOR IN OFFENSES COMMITTED BY INDIANS. FEDERAL AID FOR OFF-RESERVATION INDIAN COMMUNITIES IS WARRANTED ON ECONOMIC, MORAL, AND HISTORICAL GROUNDS AND SHOULD BE PURSUED. PARTICULAR STUDY SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE NEEDS OF INDIAN YOUTH, WITH A VIEW TOWARD IMPROVING COMMUNITY YOUTH PROGRAMS AND THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. JURISDICTIONAL PROBLEMS SHOULD BE RESOLVED THROUGH CAREFUL STUDY, COOPERATION, AND COMPROMISE. THE LIST OF INTERVIEWS IS APPENDED AND TABULAR DATA ARE PROVIDED.