United States Attorney General William Barr was in the Mission Valley on Friday to address a growing problem on reservations.

Barr announced to Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribe leaders a new initiative aimed at helping to reduce the number of new Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) cases and to help solve ongoing investigations.

The new initiative creates 11 MMIP coordinators in 11 different states -- including Montana. It also creates FBI rapid deployment teams to help combat this nationwide epidemic.

“We’re establishing an FBI rapid deployment teams. A tribal, state or local law enforcement agency can request expert assistance from the FBI based on the specific circumstances of the missing person case,” Attorney General Barr said.

He added that President Donald Trump is aware of the MMIP problem in the country and will have more to address the crisis in the future.

More From Missoula Current