LANSING, Mich., Aug. 18, 2021 — This week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the $75 million MI Safe Communities framework to invest in local police, get illegal guns off the street and provide additional funding for jobs, education and the justice system. The proposal would be funded by the federal American Rescue Plan. In response, state Reps. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), Tenisha Yancey (D-Detroit), Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) and Cynthia Neeley (D-Flint) issued the following joint statement:
“The sad truth that brings us together is that the communities we represent are currently experiencing historic levels of gun violence. Knowing this, we can’t afford to waste all of the hard work our communities have put in to reduce violent crime. We have to meet this surge head-on. We’re thankful that Gov. Whitmer’s proposed plan would provide the funding to develop new and innovative community-based solutions to gun violence and give our kids the job and education opportunities they need. Every Michigander deserves the right to feel safe no matter where they live, and by investing in our children, getting illegal guns off the street and investing in community policing, we can make sure of that.”