ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO/WCCO) – Minnesota’s new public safety funding bill passed during the legislative session includes funding for safety improvements on Metro Transit buses, trains, and stations.
The funding comes as Metro Transit Police Chief Ernest Morales reported a 66 percent jump in serious crime throughout the system. 38 percent of those were drug-related.
Met Council president Charlie Zelle said there may be a reason for the dramatic spike.
“The increase may be because we’re actually doing a lot of the work.” Zelle said. “During the shortfall of police officers and during the pandemic we didn’t have the resources to stay on top of it.”
A metro sales tax increase outlined in the measure also covers mental health and addiction intervention teams for Metro Transit.
“Customer service is paramount,” Zelle said. “Even though one might not be threatened physically, the experience of seeing drug use openly on the platforms and trains is not what people want to see. That’s why we have to lean into enforcement.”
The new funds also help give Metro Transit broader authority to penalize those who ride on buses and trains without paying fares.
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