Since February, the historically insular Gila River Indian Community south of Phoenix has publicly acknowledged its ongoing struggle with guns and gang violence — much of it involving juveniles.
The tribe, KJZZ has learned, quietly fired its police chief earlier this month, days after a town hall meeting to address public safety issues.
Members of the tribe verified the recent ousting, but its leaders have refused to answer KJZZ’s questions about Jesse Crabtree’s removal from the Gila River Police Department via a spokesperson…