As construction continues on Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino in Murphy, North Carolina, tribal leaders and law enforcement officials are making plans to accommodate the new facility, owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Ground was broken last October for the new casino, located an hour southwest of the tribe’s Harrah’s Cherokee Casino. It’s expected to be completed in mid-2015 and provide 900 new jobs.
Cherokee County Sheriff Keith Lovin said his department will be ready when a portion of the casino opens later this year. “I feel very confident that we’ve already got a good start,” he said. Lovin has held several meetings with tribal and county officials and the Cherokee Police department regarding jurisdictions and emergency response by police, fire and rescue. “To be able to address a consistent long-term call for service issues, we’re working with the law enforcement to see if we can do that and get those jurisdictional issues worked out,” said Lovin.
Added Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Chief Michell Hicks, “So for instance, if we need help, obviously the sheriff can come on to trust lands to assist us in any way and visa versa. Obviously we want the best personnel and system in place so that when a call comes in its dispatched quickly and responded to quickly.”
In addition to emergency response, Lovin said his department also is gearing up for the possibility of increased traffic accidents on the main road into the casino and on a new soon-to-be-built bridge, as well as more larcenies, counterfeiting and crimes against seniors. “You’ll see I think a lot of crime preying upon that particular age group,” said Lovin.
He noted the department also is preparing for a possible rise in gang-related issues, prostitution and human trafficking. “We’re working on all these issues,” Lovin said.
Public safety is the top priority, Lovin said. “The casino itself will require at least about 12 additional positions. And that’s probably going to take an amendment of the law at the state level and also working closely not only with our District Attorney but the U.S. Attorney,” Lovin said.
Hicks said tribal leaders have learned a lot regarding public safety and crime prevention from experiences at Harrah’s Cherokee. “We’re aware of issues that may occur whether it’s by the use of alcohol or any other. Any time you have more people coming to your town, typically there’s going to be more issues.”
