Every family in Minnesota deserves to feel safe in their home, on their street, and in their neighborhood. Public safety is not a partisan issue — it is a basic responsibility of government, and it is one I take seriously.

My approach to public safety is straightforward: support the law enforcement professionals who serve our community, invest in the prevention strategies that stop crime before it starts, and build the kind of trust between residents and police that makes everyone safer.

Supporting Law Enforcement, Fire, and Rescue

The men and women who put on a badge, pull on a turnout coat, or respond to a rescue call are the backbone of public safety in Minnesota. Law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency rescue crews all deserve our respect, our gratitude, and the resources they need to do their jobs well.

Firefighters and rescue personnel are often the first on scene — not just at fires, but at medical emergencies, accidents, natural disasters, and hazardous situations. They run toward danger so the rest of us can run away from it. That kind of courage and service deserves the same level of support we give our police officers.

That means:

• Competitive pay and benefits so we can recruit and retain the best officers, firefighters, and rescue professionals
• Adequate staffing levels so no crew — police, fire, or EMS — is stretched dangerously thin
• Ongoing training in de-escalation, mental health response, community policing, fire suppression, and advanced rescue techniques
• Modern equipment and technology that helps every first responder do their job more effectively and come home safely
• Mental health support for all first responders dealing with the very real psychological toll of the job — including firefighters and paramedics who face trauma on every shift
• Proper funding for volunteer fire departments that serve rural and suburban communities across Minnesota, many of which operate on shoestring budgets

I will oppose any effort to defund or dismantle our public safety infrastructure. Our officers, firefighters, and rescue crews need more support, not less.

Investing in Prevention

The most effective way to reduce crime is to address the conditions that allow it to take root. That means investing in the people and programs that keep our community strong before problems escalate.

Youth Programs and Mentorship

Young people who have positive outlets, strong mentors, and a sense of belonging in their community are far less likely to end up in the criminal justice system. I will fight for:

• After-school programs and summer activities that keep kids engaged and supervised
• Mentorship initiatives that connect young people with positive adult role models
• Job training and employment opportunities for teens and young adults
• Support for youth sports leagues, arts programs, and community centers

Mental Health and Substance Use Services

A significant share of the calls that law enforcement responds to involve mental health crises or substance use. Officers are often the first — and sometimes the only — responders to these situations, even when a mental health professional would be better equipped to help.

I will advocate for:

• Co-responder programs that pair mental health professionals with law enforcement for appropriate calls
• Expanded community mental health services so people can get help before they reach a crisis point
• Substance use treatment programs that offer a real path to recovery
• Crisis stabilization centers as an alternative to jail for people experiencing mental health emergencies

These investments do not replace law enforcement — they make law enforcement more effective by ensuring that officers can focus on the calls that require their specific skills.

Building Community Trust

Public safety works best when there is genuine trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. That trust has to be earned — and it has to be maintained.

I will support:

• Community policing initiatives that put officers in regular, positive contact with the neighborhoods they serve
• Transparency and accountability in law enforcement, including clear policies on use of force and meaningful civilian oversight
• Neighborhood watch and community safety programs that empower residents to be partners in keeping their streets safe
• Regular dialogue between law enforcement leadership and community members

Trust is built one interaction at a time. When residents see officers as partners rather than adversaries — and when officers see residents as neighbors rather than suspects — everyone is safer.

Addressing the Root Causes

Long-term public safety requires addressing the underlying conditions that drive crime: poverty, lack of opportunity, inadequate housing, and failing schools. That is why my positions on education, housing, and economic development are not separate from my public safety agenda — they are part of it.

A community where families have stable housing, children have good schools, and adults have access to good jobs is a safer community. Full stop.

The Bottom Line

I believe in a public safety approach that is both tough and smart — one that holds criminals accountable, supports the officers, firefighters, and rescue crews who protect us, and invests in the prevention strategies that make our community stronger over the long term.

The people of Minnesota deserve nothing less than safe neighborhoods and first responders they can trust. That is what I will fight for in the Minnesota Legislature.