[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, and U.S. Representative Angie Craig today visited the Scott County Association for Leadership & Efficiency (SCALE) Regional Public Training Facility in Jordan, MN. Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, and Representative Craig discussed current and future investments in public safety and law enforcement.

“State of the art training facilities like SCALE are one of the ways we ensure our first responders, from police, to firefighters, to EMT personnel, stay safe on the job, while also helping to keep our neighborhoods safe,” said Governor Walz. “We will continue to work with cities and counties to support crime prevention and public safety.”

“The Governor and I are committed to working in partnership with law enforcement professionals and local leaders to pursue a vision of public safety for all,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “Thank you to all the folks who have stepped up and are working to make every community safer.”

“The first priority of any elected official should be ensuring public safety, which is why I have worked closely with local police departments to secure additional federal resources to support their efforts to hire, retain, and train qualified law enforcement officers,” said Representative Angie Craig . “I’m grateful to have such effective partners in our mission to ensure public safety and I am eager to continue supporting their work from Washington.”

On July 6, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety announced that it is significantly stepping up its presence in Minneapolis to address street racing and other violent crime. Last May, Governor Walz provided DPS with $4 million for continued support in Minneapolis – $1 million each to the State Patrol and BCA, and another $2 million to a DPS Survivor Support grant program to assist state organizations. Since April, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has opened 93 cases, made 171 arrests and seized 109 firearms.

On June 28, Governor Tim Walz announced a plan to direct millions in federal funding toward public safety and gun violence prevention. The plan provides additional funding for police, the department of corrections, and gun safety as outlined below.

Law Enforcement
The plan includes $4 million for the Minnesota State Patrol and Department of Natural Resources Officers, which presented funding deficiencies to the legislature but were not funded before the end of the 2022 Legislative Session.

Department of Corrections
Nearly $5 million will support the Department of Corrections with staffing shortages.

Gun Safety
Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan are developing a statewide campaign to help prevent gun-related injuries and theft. In addition to a statewide education program helping Minnesotans learn how to safely store firearms, the Department of Public Safety will provide free cable gun locks across the state at community events, including the Minnesota State Fair.