Governor Lewis Issues Executive Order Declaring Public Safety Emergency, Announces Enhanced Curfew for Minors
GRIN Staff
Gila River Indian News
In response to a recent increase in violent crimes within the Gila River Indian Community, Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis announced an Executive Order declaring a public safety emergency and enhanced curfew for minors on Feb. 25.
“I will always take action whenever necessary to protect the Community’s youth, and I encourage all Community members to report any suspicious or criminal activity to the Gila River Police Department,” Gov. Lewis said in a statement.
The temporary curfew is set between 7:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m., beginning Tuesday, Feb. 25, and has been extended to March 31. The curfew will not apply to minors who are accompanied by a parent or guardian and does not apply to emergencies, employment, and attending school, including Community-sponsored events or an official after-school program or sporting event, or practice.
The executive order states that after careful consideration and consultation with law enforcement officials and Community leaders, there is aneed to implement an enhanced curfew for minors within the Gila River Indian Community to prevent further violence.
Several gun-related incidents have been reported to the Gila River Police Department (GRPD) within the last week, including reports of gun fire near a school bus stop where children were present, which prompted lock down protocols. The following day, reports of gunshots and injuries were reported in a residential area, where officers spent several hours investigating.
GRPD Chief Jesse Crabtree issued a video statement addressing the “serious and growing concern of gun-related incidents,” reminding the Community of the dangers of gunfire and encouraging them to speak out if they are witnesses to anything.
“What goes up must come down, and stray bullets can cause serious injury or even death,” he stated.
“There have been reports of gunfire near children walking to school, playing in their backyards, and even waiting for school buses. This must stop,” said Crabtree.
He said that GRPD will enforce the Community’s new safety measures but that the Community’s help is also needed, urging firearm owners to be responsible, utilize designated shooting ranges, and teach youth about gun safety.
“Teach them about responsibility, the irreversible consequences of unsafe gun handling, and the dangers of firearms falling into the wrong hands,” said Crabtree. “One bad decision can mean a lifetime of regret.”
Crabtree encouraged the Community to speak up, “If you see something, say something. If you hear or witness gunfire in your area, report it immediately.”
In an emergency, you can call or even text 911. For non-emergencies, call (520) 562-4511. GRPD also utilizes an anonymous tip line: (520) 562-7144.
GRPD also states that you do not report crimes through social media, as messages are not monitored 24/7.
District 3 calls Town Hall to address concerns
A crowd of about 150 people filled the Gila River Police Department (GRPD) Station in District 3 on the night of Feb. 26 as Gov. Lewis, Lt. Gov. Regina Antone, Community Council members, GRPD Chief Jesse Crabtree, and concerned GRIC residents gathered for a Town Hall meeting focused on crime and public safety and the newly instituted temporary youth curfew.
The Town Hall, called by District 3, provided a platform for law enforcement representatives and Community leaders to share crime data and policing strategy updates while giving residents an opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns. By 6 p.m., the meeting space was already filled to capacity.
The meeting officially began around 6:30 p.m. with an opening statement from District 3 Community Council Representative Avery White, followed by presentations from GRPD officials, including Chief Crabtree and Lt. Alex Belsan, who outlined recent crime trends and ongoing efforts to address public safety challenges on the reservation.
Following the presentations, Community members engaged in a structured Q&A session, with each speaker allotted up to three minutes to ask questions or provide comments. The topics addressed included gun violence, crime prevention strategies, general policing policies, and recent police incidents in the Community.
The discussion lasted more than two hours, with residents voicing their concerns about the recent uptick in violence within District 3. Gov. Lewis, Lt. Gov. Antone, Council Representative Joseph Manuel Jr., Chief Crabtree and the leaders in attendance pledged continued engagement with the Community and encouraged residents to report suspicious activity and work collaboratively with law enforcement.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from District 3 leadership to hold similar forums in the future to maintain open dialogue and ensure that public safety remains a top priority.
