Alaska's Senator Murkowski recently toured oil production facilities and associated sites in the Bakken region of North Dakota.

Murkowski went on a two day tour of the area with Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota. She brought back glowing reports from the area.

“It’s amazing to see how quickly things are happening here,” Murkowski said. “Thousands of new homes are going up almost overnight, as are new roads, schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure, all because of the economic boom brought on by oil production in the Bakken.”

“The jobs just don’t stop at the wellhead either,” Murkowski said. “Oil production is driving jobs in construction, retail, education, healthcare – all the way down to pizza delivery. The economic opportunity around Williston is endless. “

Senator Murkowski spent time in the community of Williston during her trip to North Dakota. She said of that community, “The rapid pace of development certainly has its challenges, but North Dakota leaders aren’t complaining. They’re rolling up their sleeves and getting to work building better communities. Folks like Williston Mayor Koeser are truly an inspiration to us all,” Murkowski said. “We’re talking about a state with the lowest jobless rate in the nation and $1 billion budget surplus. Imagine how strong we’d be as a nation if other regions – and especially the federal government – followed North Dakota’s example.”

The oil boom in North Dakota isn’t all upside however. With all the wealth pouring into the state, crime followed with it. Williston Mayor Koeser spoke earlier this year about the increases in crime such as stabbings, rape, DUIs , violence and prostitution. It was pointed out that the police force in the community was understaffed and overwhelmed. Of the crime in Williston, the mayor said, “I wouldn’t say it’s out of control, but we’re very close to that.”

According to reports, the increase in crime is astronomical. What had used to be a sleepy town with only 4,000 calls to the pollce during a period from 2007 to 2009 has escalated to 1,000 calls a month last year, and that number is increasing. Alcohol and drug abuse is increasing rapidly and the community sees many more burlaries and DUI stops than any other time in their history. The police report that the increase in violent crime both in the home and in public has reached unparalleled highs. They report alcohol related violence throughout the day as well as vehicle and foot pursuits taking place during hours that never saw cases before.

There have been reported incidences of roughnecks without housing hiding out in the schools to sleep and cases of men in the girls locker room using facilities as the girls were at practice. Dorms have been broken into and drug dealers living in the parking lots.

The governor of that state recently announced that they have added another 13 troopers to patrol the western portion of the state and has stepped up funding for additional law enforcement and emergency services as well.

Mayor Koeser said that he has watched the population increase in the last four years. The housing supply in the community is low and the demand has skyrocketed. Greed on the part of some landlords has caused many in the community to be forced out of their homes as rents quadrupled from $500 a month to over $2,000. Many of those forced out have been senior citizens that have since left the community that they called home.

The state has been dilligently working to rid the community of these problems, but it is an uphill battle and will take a considerable amount of time before they get a solid grip on the problem. Many in the community wonder if it is worth the extra state wealth having to deal with the additional problems that come with it.

Senator Murkowski has been working with Senator Hoeven on the Senate Energy and Natural resources Committee advancing energy policies. This last visit is one of four she has undertaken in oil producing sectors of the United States. She has gone to the Gulf of Mexico, the Marcellus and the Arctic to view oil and gas production and infrastructure.

Murkowski said of the oil and gas boom in North Dakota, “I’m truly amazed at the pace of development in western North Dakota,” Murkowski said. “It reminds me of the Alaska I grew up in. And an Alaska I hope will one day be again.”