Letter to James Comey, Director Federal Bureau of Investigation - Dainse Calls on FBI to Maintain Law Enforcement Presence in Eastern Montana

Letter

Dear Director Comey:

I am writing to request that the Federal Bureau of Investigation maintain its current presence in Sidney, Montana. While the continued production in Montana's Bakken region has spurred economic development and job creation, it has also resulted in surging populations and a corresponding increase in crime. Area law enforcement officials have conveyed their concerns over reports that the FBI may consider moving its agents out of Sidney and shared the critical need for federal law enforcement support in eastern Montana. After conversations with them, it is clear to me that an FBI presence there is critical for our region's safety and continued growth. Accordingly, I strongly urge you to maintain your current presence in Sidney.

Further, the increase in crime propelled Yellowstone County Attorney, Scott Twito, to call for an added High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force in eastern Montana, a request that I believe further corroborates the importance of maintaining the FBI agents in Sidney. According to the Montana Board of Crime Control's Crime in Montana: 2011-2012 report, crime in the primary Bakken region, which encompasses Daniels, Richland, Roosevelt, and Sheridan counties, increased by 228% between 2008 and 2012. Richland County alone had 151 times the number of offenses in 2012 than it did in 2008, and Sidney sits at the heart of Richland County. By all accounts, the FBI agents in Sidney are bolstering the efforts of local law enforcement to respond effectively to the changing demographics and rising criminal activity.

For these reasons, I respectfully request the FBI to maintain its presence in Sidney. I appreciate your consideration of this request and look forward to hearing from you as your agency assesses the deployment of its resources.

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