Pubdate: Sat, 17 May 2014
Source: Sidney Herald Leader (MT)
Copyright: 2014 Sidney Herald Leader
Contact:  http://www.sidneyherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1769
Author: Susan Minichiello

BATTLING CRIME: CONGRESSMAN LISTENS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT CONCERNS DURING 
VISIT TO SIDNEY

U.S. Rep. Steve Daines, R-Mont., met with area officials in Sidney
Wednesday to discuss ways to combat crime in the Bakken oilfield.

The largest issues, identified by Sidney Chief of Police Frank
DiFonzo, were drug crimes and lack of resources. "It takes so much to
organize and run a complicated drug investigation that I can't do that
with my manpower," DiFonzo said. "We have enough challenges just
maintaining the issues on the streets, but we can't ignore it either."

DiFonzo was thankful for working with the Montana Department of
Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation, the Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA) and the FBI.

"Drug enforcement's extremely important, and any kind of effort that
we can get in federal assistance or state assistance, we would welcome
here," DiFonzo said.

Daines asked what could be done to make law enforcement better in the
Bakken.

"The state of North Dakota has done a lot more for their people than
we have from our side," DiFonzo said. "The state of Montana needs to
put more into this end of the state. Not just in infrastructure; it
has to be in capability to hold our own now."

Daines noted that Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan and Daniels counties
have seen a 228 percent crime increase from 2008-2012. "I'm guessing
your staff did not increase proportionally to that," Daines said.

In Sidney, DiFonzo noted there was a 52 percent increase in drug
arrests in the first three month of this year compared to the first
three months of last year, and a 54 percent increase in partner or
family member assault arrests.

A Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent in attendance agreed
drugs crimes in the Bakken have increased. The agent said in the last
three years, methamphetamine found in Montana has been 80 to 100
percent pure, and most likely from Mexico.

Daines inquired about human trafficking in the Bakken, which he said
was "getting more attention back in Washington."

DiFonzo noted there was "a plethora of motels coming into Sidney" and
could see human trafficking being used in the service industry.

"I don't have any concrete evidence that it's happening now, but I
suspect that it could be happening," DiFonzo said.

A law enforcement official from Roosevelt County said that, similar to
Richland County, there wasn't enough jail space. In addition, around
90 percent of inmates at the Roosevelt County jail were from
out-of-state.

"This part of the state's always been, in my opinion, the best kept
secret in the world, and now we're being hit with something that's
hard to deal with. We just don't have an idea how to get a handle on
it," DiFonzo said. "Keeping a federal presence in Sidney, keeping a
state presence in Sidney, it's going to be a big help all the way
along the border."

Rod Ostermiller, Deputy U.S. Marshal, spoke by conference call during
the meeting. "We could use quite a few folks, specifically to address
the issues in eastern Montana," he said.

"Your plate is full," Daines said. "We're on a journey here. This
doesn't get solved in one meeting."
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MAP posted-by: Matt