WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) sent a letter to Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, Alex Beehler, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and the Environment, and Donnie Lucas, Chief of Police at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground expressing concern over jurisdictional issues at Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) and advocating for federal concurrent jurisdiction in the area.

“It is important that we utilize our law enforcement officers in the most efficient way possible,” said Congresswoman Lesko. “By granting concurrent federal jurisdiction we will enhance safety and security for servicemembers and federal officers, while also allowing local law enforcement to continue serving the civilian community. I urge the Army and Governor Ducey to grant this request.”

Due to current discrepancies in jurisdiction, military law enforcement personnel stationed at YPG do not have the authority to process civil and criminal incidents by civilians on their installation, instead, this jurisdiction falls to the Yuma and La Paz County Sheriff’s Offices. This arrangement leaves local law enforcement overworked and does not take advantage of the training, resources, and personnel the Army has on hand to effectively manage the installation.

Click here to read the full letter.