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U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem is requesting a meeting with the U.S. Justice Department, urging them to discuss the rising violent crime in South Dakota.

Noem is asking the new attorney general, Jeff Sessions, to meet with her about the crime levels that have grown steadily over the last decade.

According to the South Dakota State Attorney General's 2015 report, drug arrests increased 22 percent, rapes increased 11 percent, and murders increased 35 percent. In Rapid City, the Police Chief Karl Jegeris says almost all violent crime is linked to methamphetamine.

"Almost all of our violent crime in one way or another has a connection to methamphetamine use or distribution. In the first two years of me being in this position, our department had four officer-involved shootings, and three of the four had a direct connection to methamphetamine use within our city. So, that's just a measure of ultimate violence. When we're getting into situations where we're having to use legal force to ensure a safe community, that stat in and of itself, I think says a lot,” says Jegeris.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard has declared that South Dakota has an epidemic level of meth use. With the passing of SB 70, those on probation or parole will have immediate sanctions, including incarceration if caught under the influence of drugs, particularly meth.

Jegeris says South Dakota needs to strengthen their bonds with the tribal nations that are struggling with staffing and lack of funding. With 17 murders on the Pine Ridge Reservation last year, and the correlation with methamphetamine, Jegeris is calling for action.