Friends and neighbors,  

A growing concern for our state has been the large uptick in violent crime not only in metro area but spreading across geographical and socioeconomic barriers. On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee held a joint hearing with the Senate Transportation Committee to address the rising violent crime rates in Minnesota. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, my colleagues and I have been renewing calls for cooperation between the governor, legislature, local leadership, and the public to find solutions to this growing problem. 

The biggest shock while hearing from law enforcement is the unified concern over a lack of support from elected officials such as the governor and metro mayors. This should not be an issue that is left on the sidelines, continuing to fester, and spread throughout our state. We need common-sense solutions implemented immediately, support for law enforcement through more means than funding, and we need prosecutors to take violent crimes seriously enough to keep the worst criminals off our streets. This is not a political debate – it is about the safety of Minnesotans and ensuring their safety no matter where they are traveling in our state.” 

In the hearing, we heard from a diverse group of law enforcement officials expressing concern for public safety on several issues from staffing shortages to prosecutorial issues impacting police work. The informational hearing was a small peek into the upcoming 2022 Legislative Session and what issues could take the main stage.

As your State Senator, it is my duty to ensure a safe state for all of us to live, work, and enjoy all that Minnesota has to offer. Our reputation of Minnesota Niceness has always included our way of life and at this point, I am concerned about the path we are on which has revealed an increased number of County Attorneys, Public Defenders, and Minnesota Courts failing to prosecute those who break our laws. These decisions are inexcusable for ensuring the life, liberty, and safety of Minnesotans. I am confident, however, that we can restore safety with a bit of cooperation and a lot of thoughtful action. 

If you would like to get in touch with me, my office is always available. I would be happy to chat about these or any other legislative issues or questions you may have. I can be reached by email at Sen.Bruce.Anderson@Senate.MN or by phone at 651-296-5981.

Sincerely,

Bruce