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ATTORNEY GENERAL RENO ANNOUNCES MAJOR INITIATIVE

WASHINGTON, DC -- Attorney General Janet Reno today announced $89 million in grants to tribal communities to hire, equip and train law enforcement officers and to build new jails and detention facilities in Indian territory. The comprehensive Indian Country Law Enforcement Initiative is aimed at improving criminal justice services and reducing the rate of crime among the 1.4 million Native Americans living on or near Indian lands.

The Attorney General also met today with tribal leaders in Washington to discuss the initiative and criminal justice issues affecting Indian Country. Native American communities often lack trained law enforcement personnel, have few adequate jails, and possess limited criminal justice systems.

"These grants for additional officers, training and facilities will help ensure that all Native Americans living on Indian lands will enjoy the decrease in crime being felt throughout the nation," said Attorney General Reno. "I am pleased to have had the opportunity to meet face to face today with several tribal leaders to further discuss law enforcement needs and concerns."

Earlier this year, the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) reported that male and female American Indians experience violent crime at higher rates than people of other races and are more likely to experience interracial violence. The report indicates that from 1992 through 1996, the average annual rate of violent victimizations among Indians was 124 per 1,000 residents 12 years and older. This compares to 61 violent victimizations per 1,000 blacks, 49 per 1,000 whites and 29 per 1,000 Asians.

The Justice Department launched the initiative at the direction of President Clinton to bring law enforcement up to adequate standards and improve the quality of life in Indian country. The Justice and Interior Departments worked with tribal governments to develop of the initiative.

One part of the overall initiative is the CIRCLE (Comprehensive Indian Resources for Community and Law Enforcement) Project, which evaluates the most effective ways to address public safety in Indian country. The CIRCLE Project also will address promote intertribal exchanges of ideas and experiences and foster coordination among the tribes for more efficient use of resources.

Through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and the FBI, the Justice Department will provide effective, fully equipped and trained law enforcement officers throughout Indian country. The COPS program also will give tribal communities grants for either additional police officers, training for existing officers, or law enforcement equipment.

The Corrections Program Office (CPO) of the Department's Office of Justice Programs (OJP) will support a regional approach in the construction of new jails and detention facilities. This program is being coordinated with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) throughout Indian country.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) within OJP will help tribal communities develop justice systems, using a combination of technical assistance and funding for specific projects. BJA also will foster the development of inter-tribal courts so tribal communities can share limited resources.

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), also within OJP, will work to address the problems of gangs, substance abuse and domestic abuse, which are significant problems in Indian Country. OJJDP will address these problems through a combination of programs to assist at-risk youth.

In addition, the CIRCLE project will receive support through OJP's Office for Victims of Crime and Violence Against Women Office. The initiative will be evaluated by OJP's National Institute of Justice.

Attached is a partial list of the specific grant awards made in Fiscal Year 1999.

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