Lake County Commissioners Gale Decker, Steve Stanley and Bill Barron address the public and law enforcement during a meeting in December to discuss the county's withdrawal from the Public Law 280 agreement, which has governed felony prosecutions over tribal members on the Flathead Reservation since the mid-1960s. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
December 2, 2023
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County officials look for answers from U.S. Attorney
Frustration seemed to be the tenor this week at the Lake County Courthouse as public officials contemplate their withdrawal from Public Law 280, which has given the county felony jurisdiction over tribal members on the Flathead Reservation for nearly 60 years.
Public Law 280: The path forward
“You have my commitment that – no matter what happens going forward – if you call 911, we're coming,” Lake County Sheriff Don Bell said during a crowded meeting at the Lake County Courthouse last Thursday. “We don't care, frankly, who the bad guy is until we know everybody's safe,” he added.