Dept. of Justice has dialogue on Indian crime, public safety

Minneapolis (AP) — Officials from the Department of Justice will be in the Twin Cities over the next two days to discuss public safety issues on American Indian reservations around the country.

Members from all 564 federally recognized tribes nationwide - including Alaskan Natives - were invited to attend the two-day listening session. It starts Wednesday and runs through Thursday.

Attorney General Eric Holder is expected to attend Thursday's session.

The goal is to give tribal leaders the chance to raise issues they feel are critical to public safety and law enforcement.

Based on data tribes report to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, violent crime rates in some parts of Indian Country are 10 times the national average.

The event is not open to the public.