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A Times Editorial
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 1, 2002
A measure before the Florida House today is a relief bill for thugs, thieves, hustlers and crooks. It would encourage an expansion of gambling on Indian lands even as it stripped police and the courts of the authority they need to protect the public.
Make no mistake: The bill (HB 1771) before the Council for Smarter Government would worsen the state's problem with enforcing laws on Indian reservations. It strips the state of jurisdiction over crimes committed on Indian land, handing that job to rent-a-cops bought and controlled by the tribes. The legislation also gives the tribes control over civil causes of action that arise on Indian reservations.
It is dumbfounding the House leadership would allow Hialeah Republican Ralph Arza to fast-track a bill that presents such safety risks to law enforcement and the public. Beyond safety concerns, removing the power of sworn police to respond would compromise society's ability to bring criminals to justice.
Real cops, not surprisingly, oppose the measure. "If they pass this law, they will turn the Indian reservations into a campground for criminals and thieves," said Glades County Sheriff Jim Rider. Giving jurisdiction to the tribes to self-police also could throw even violent crimes like rape and murder into a limbo-land. "Reservations would turn into a safe place for fugitives," the Florida Sheriff's Association warns. Trial lawyers said the bill would block investigations of everything from auto accidents to consumer fraud, regardless of whether the victim was Indian.
Perhaps the kindest thing to say about Arza is that he didn't think this through. His colleagues should stand with law enforcement and kill this legislation.