Dear Neighbors,
On Monday, I joined several of my House Republican colleagues at a press conference announcing a package of legislative proposals aimed at improving public safety in Minnesota communities.
Taken together, the bills target many of the issues driving crime in the Metro area, including gang and drug trafficking activity, as well as the need for additional officers and tools for law enforcement to combat crime on the Light Rail and in communities.
The portions related to drug trafficking will have a tremendous statewide impact. The proposals related to improving safety and security on the light-rail and across the Metro area will help make sure that folks traveling to the Cities to attend sporting events and concerts will be safer when walking around downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Sadly, crime data shows that violent crime is on the rise.
2019 saw an all-time high in serious crimes committed on Metro Transit Light Rail and the Star Tribune recently reported that two thirds of neighborhoods in Minneapolis saw an increase in overall crime in 2019—including a 70 percent spike in the Minneapolis Downtown East neighborhood. St. Paul saw a doubling in the homicide rate in 2019, much of it connected to gang violence. In addition, Minnesota’s Violence Crime Enforcement Teams saw major increases in the amounts of meth, heroin, and cocaine compared to 2018—much of it being trafficked by gangs and produced and smuggled into the United States by Mexican drug cartels.
It’s clear we need to do more to work with law enforcement to make sure Minnesotans and their communities are safe and our legislative package is a great start.
Click here for a video from Monday’s press conference and to learn more about the specific proposals.
It was great to join with Senator Gazelka at a meeting with local farmers from the Minnesota Farm Bureau.
Thank you to students and staff from the Pillager Area Charter School for visiting this week!
Staying in Touch
As always, please be sure to reach out to me to share any thoughts, questions, or concerns you may have regarding state government. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-4293 or via email at rep.john.poston@house.mn.
Have a great weekend,
John