Center of the American Experiment public safety policy fellow David Zimmer testified Tuesday in support of SF 3347 where it received a hearing in the Senate State and Local Government Committee.
You can watch Zimmer’s testimony here.
SF 3347 would establish a statewide law enforcement grant program totaling $3.5 million. Law enforcement agencies with a demonstrated need could apply through the Department of Public Safety for funding to support collaboration with partner law enforcement agencies and prosecutors, overtime and training, enhance forensic testing, and to keep victims and witnesses safe.
A handful of jurisdictions around the country, including the St. Paul Police Department, have demonstrated success with similar initiatives, and dramatically improved the solve rates of non-fatal shootings while breaking the cycle of retaliatory violence that often exists when violent crime goes unsolved.
Zimmer’s support for this bill coincides with previous efforts with the city of Minneapolis to support the improvement of non-fatal shooting clearance rates in the Minneapolis Police Department.
The bill was carried in the Senate by Senator Doran Clark, (D) of Minneapolis. The motion to progress the bill to the Senate Finance Committee passed the State and Local Government Committee by unanimous vote. The bill was previously heard in and passed by the Public Safety Committee. The companion bill in the evenly divided House has not yet been heard in committee.
