We must give law enforcement the tools they need to keep us safe

State Rep. Kathy Schmaltz, R-Jackson, is supporting a bipartisan plan to provide long-overdue help to communities struggling with violent crime.

The proposal would create the Public Safety and Violence Prevention Trust Fund, delivering $115 million in dedicated, annual funding to support local police departments and violence prevention programs.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own home and neighborhood,” Schmaltz said. “Too many families in our state live with fear, and too many law enforcement agencies are stretched far too thin. This plan offers the resources communities need to protect people and give them peace of mind.”

The plan comes as Michigan continues to face serious public safety challenges. Four of the 20 most violent cities in the country are in Michigan, and Jackson ranks 52^nd of the top 100 most violent cities in the country, according to FBI data. Meanwhile, police departments are struggling to hire and retain officers and are often forced to work with outdated equipment and limited tools.

House Bills 4260 and 4261 would establish the Public Safety and Violence Prevention Trust Fund, allocating $115 million in annual sales tax revenue to support local law enforcement and violence prevention efforts. Of this, $72 million would be distributed to cities, villages, and townships based on their share of violent crime over the previous three years. These funds must be used exclusively for public safety, crime investigation, or violence prevention efforts, and cannot replace existing local funding.

Locally, the city of Jackson would receive an additional $609,000, Blackman Township would receive $163,000, and Leoni Township would receive $61,000 under the plan. Chelsea and Sylvan Township would receive smaller amounts of funding.

The plan also sets aside $40 million for county sheriff’s offices, distributed according to the size of each county’s police force. Additionally, $1.5 million would go to the Crime Victim’s Rights Fund to support victims and their families, while another $1.5 million would be available as grants for community violence intervention initiatives.

“This funding will make a real difference in our communities,” Schmaltz said. “It means more officers on the street, better tools to fight crime, and greater support for victims.”

House Bills 4260 and 4261 were approved by the House Government Operations Committee on Thursday, advancing them to the full House for further consideration.