Tuba City police department, detention center closes amidst safety concerns

TUBA CITY-The Tuba City Navajo Police Department and Adult Detention Center has been under close watch of the Office of Environmental Health for many years due to unsafe conditions of the building structure and finally in July 2006, a decision was reached and the Tuba City Navajo Police Department and Adult Detention Center closed its doors. Both departments sought financial help from various entitles like BIA, County, Navajo Nation and the Local To'Nanees'Dizi Chapter for a temporary relocation.

The To'Nanees'Dizi Chapter didn't hesitate to assist with planning and financial help because the Chapter holds the safety of the community and the general public to the utmost importance. The Chapter utilized the Navajo Nation Sales Tax revenues to provide financial support in areas of Archeological and Environmental Surveys on three (3) different locations (Tuba City Fair Grounds, Old Davis Building, and Current Location) in an estimated amount of $5,700.00 and purchasing the Modular unit (photo above) in the amount of $157,053.26 that currently houses the Adult Detention Center administration.

In the Winter Session of the Navajo Nation Council, Mr. Raymond Maxx, Council Delegate and Mr. Frank Bilagody, Chapter President, presented a legislation requesting funds for the Tuba City Public Safety (Tuba City Navajo Police Department and Adult Detention Center) and obtained a little over $94,000.00 from the Navajo Nation. Furthermore, the Chapter Manager, Priscilla Littlefoot sought private funding and obtained $10,000.00 from Verizon Wireless Communication. The Chapter Manager also appealed to Navajo Nation Chapters for financial help and the follow Chapters contributed funds: Dennehotso ($150.00); Olijato ($200.00); Birdsprings ($200.00); LeChee ($200.00); Kaibeto ($403.00); and Tolani Lake ($200.00).

Prior to the closure, the To'Nanees'Dizi Chapter contributed $10,000.00 of the Navajo Nation Sales Tax Revenues to the Tuba City Police Department to purchase a K-9 unit from Alderhorst International.

A joint effort in part of the To'Nanees'Dizi Chapter Officials and Manager; Captain Thomas Yazzie and Barbara Johnson, Detention Supervisor and Alex Babbitt, Correction Officer; and Council Delegates, Raymond Maxx and Harry Williams, the temporary relocation of the Public Safety was successful, but not without continued struggle. Overall, the To'Nanees'Dizi Chapter has invested over $200,000.00 to the Tuba City Public Safety and the To'Nanees'Dizi Chapter continues to play a major role in the long-term planning which is ongoing.