Minnesota GOP lawmakers take aim at Twin Cities crime

Feb 18, 20200

David Joles – Star Tribune count

Violent crime, including rape, robbery and aggravated assault on public transit - both buses and light rail - increased by 35% in 2019 over the previous year, according to Metro Transit.

Republican state lawmakers unveiled a set of public safety proposals Monday aimed squarely at the Twin Cities, clashing with both mayors over police strategies for addressing crime on light-rail trains and around entertainment venues.

Dubbed "Safety In Our Cities," the GOP proposal includes additional resources for Metro Transit police to respond to a significant increase in crime on trains and buses. It also contains a requirement that cities with "regional or statewide sports and entertainment facilities" have an "adequate" number of police officers near those venues or risk losing state Local Government Aid.

http://www.startribune.com/state-gop-lawmakers-take-aim-at-twin-cities-crime/567946042/