An experiment, so to speak, as been under way on Standing Rock Indian Reservation.

"Operation Dakota Peacekeeper" is an effort to reduce the crime rate on the reservation. Recently, only nine officers patrolled the 2.3-million-acre reservation.

Violent crime has been 5.5 times the national crime rate.

"Operation Dakota Peacekeeper" placed 20 more officers on the reservation for 90 days. Tribal officials have asked that the program be extended.

Today, Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., is holding an Indian Affairs Committee field hearing in Fort Yates.

The committee will hear from Ron His Horse Is Thunder, the tribal chairman; Standing Rock Chief Judge William Zuger; Pat Ragsdale, director of the Interior Department Office of Justice Services; and South Dakota U.S. Attorney Marty Jackley.

The hearing will look at the progress and future of the "Peacekeeper" program.

Residents of reservations deserve to be as safe as anyone else in North Dakota. They shouldn't have to live in fear of petty crime, let alone violent crime.

But it will take more than talk. "Peacekeeper" appears to be a good first step. There's no way to stretch nine officers over that miles seven days a week.

The additional officers have the responsibility of not only reducing crime, but of creating trust in law enforcement.

Bringing in outside officers has the potential of generating some concern. If you don't know the cop on the beat you might be a little reluctant to talk to the officer.

So far the program seems to be working well.

Hopefully the committee hearing will be another step toward a permanent solution. Last week Dorgan introduced legislation for a long-term increase in law enforcement in Indian Country.

It's doubtful any crime wave has been crushed in 90 days. Congress needs to work with tribal officials on a workable, long-term plan.

A plan that protects residents and preserves their rights.

No fear to cross

With Thursday's partial opening of the new Liberty Memorial Bridge in Bismarck the state has taken another safety step.

The old bridge was showing its age. It was closed for two months in 2006 after inspectors found problems with some of the concrete supporting piers. The bridge reopened after $350,000 in repairs.

The bridge was built in 1922.

The opening of the new bridge came on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the collapse of I-35W bridge in Minneapolis.

Officials say nearly 5,000 bridges in North Dakota are in "fair to good" condition and they are safe.

According to an Associated Press review of data, work has started or is planned on all but three of the state's 20 most heavily traveled bridges that are considered structurally deficient by the federal government. Seven have been fixed.

It's important motorists and pedestrians feel safe on the state's bridges. It appears the state has been taking the necessary action to safeguard residents.

The state should be applauded for this and at the time it must remain alert to any potential problems.