Violence On Reservation Lead Authorities To Seek Casino Closure
The violence has been fast and furious on the Soboba reservation and the Riverside County Sheriff has had enough. He has asked federal authorities to shut down the tribe's casino which is next to the reservation.
The clash began when the police were having trouble gaining access to the reservation. They claim that the tribe is obstructing justice by slowing the cops from doing their jobs.
The tribe counters, however, with the idea that the police are not allowed to enter the reservation unless they are in pursuit or are responding to a 911 call. The tribe is disputing that they have ever not allowed access to a police officer.
"At no time has the Riverside County Sheriff's Department been denied access either to the casino or on the reservation and we have documentation to substantiate that fact," said the Soboba Tribal Council, in a statement.
The sheriff paints a different picture, one of non compliance by the tribe. "I regret that it has come to this, but to protect, preserve, and perpetuate an isolated pocket of lawlessness that causes fear in our neighboring communities within Riverside County is simply not an option or sound public policy," said Sheriff Stanley Sniff.
A letter has been sent by Sniff to the National Indian Gaming Commission and they have confirmed that they received the letter and that they are watching the situation closely.
August 1, 2008
Posted By Larry Rutherford
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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