A national panel of judicial and law enforcement experts has released recommendations on how to make tribal communities safer.
TheIndian Law and Order Commissiontraveled around the country for two years to hear about criminal jurisdiction, tribal courts, grant funding and other topics. The result is a 324-page report that addresses gaps in public safety.
The report, "Strengthening Justice for Native America: A Roadmap,'' was released Tuesday, a day ahead of the White House Tribal Nations Conference inWashington, D.C.
Among the panel's recommendations is to give tribes more control over crimes on their land, including an expansion of authority to prosecute non-Indians.
Commission Chairman Troy Eid says Native communities face high rates of violent crime. He says outdated federal laws and policies are partially to blame.
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