In contrast, the Indian tribes and bands are sovereign. The Indians are trying to be good neighbors and applying for some permits they don't even need, but the county is hellbent on obstructing the casinos. Despite having lawyers on hand to interpret laws, particularly Public Law 280, which ostensibly transferred federal jurisdiction of crimes on reservations to California, the sheriff's office is confused. Indians throughout the state are questioning reservation law enforcement and saying they should have more law enforcement powers than the state allows. They want to form tribal police forces.
County sheriffs disagree because they want more money and more officers.
Sheriffs could care less about the Indians. I recall when the sheriff of San Diego County raided Indian casinos. Take, for example, Sheriff's Lt. Maury Freitas, commander of the sheriff's Valley Center substation. He has asked Sheriff Bill Kolender for more deputies to add to his 18. He seems not to know what to expect with four casinos coming on line.