St. Cloud Sun

Rep. Paul Novotny recently proposed a bill that will further help the police of St. Paul, Minnesota, in their crime-fighting efforts against gun violence and drug trafficking, according to his announcement via Facebook.

Last year, St. Paul saw an increase in gun-related deaths reaching a record-breaking 28 gun-related deaths that year. In nearly all of the shootings, there was evidence linking them to drug-related situations.

With drugs being the primary cause of shooting deaths in the city, Novotny seeks to put an end to it with the incorporation of his bill that is going to provide an increase of funding to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which will provide them with more tools and resources to combat gangs and drug distributors.

“My bill is part of a package of proposals targeting the issues that are driving crime in the Metro area and around the state, including gang and drug trafficking activity, as well as the need for additional officers and tools for law enforcement to combat crime on the Light Rail and in communities," Novotny said. 

The legislators are expected to vote on the proposed bill within the next month.