News Release
Nash responds to recent Uniform Crime Report release
ST. PAUL — Representative Jim Nash, R-Waconia, issued the following statement regarding the Walz administration's recent release of the Uniform Crime Report from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, showing a 21.6% spike in violent crime in 2021. During Gov. Walz's time as Governor, murders are up 72% and assaults are up 62%.
"I am appalled, disappointed, and scared for Minnesotans, by this report's confirmation of what we've been seeing for years," said Nash. "Violent crime is skyrocketing with no end in sight. The Governor's appointed judges continue to allow violent criminals to walk free, and Minnesotans pay the price for it. Next session, I will work hard to ensure that public safety is a priority, and that violent criminals are held accountable for their own crimes, and don’t walk out of the revolving door that is the current judicial system led by DFL-appointed judges."
BACKGROUND:
- Gov. Walz's appointees to the Sentencing Guidelines Commission have continued their controversial push to reduce sentences for repeat criminals despite unprecedented outcry and opposition from Minnesotans.
- Last week Gov. Walz touted his election-year push to increase public safety efforts by the State Patrol after ignoring pleas for action for nearly a year. House Republicans first urged the Governor to deploy the State Patrol and other law enforcement resources to high-crime areas in June 2021. Gov. Walz waited until May 2022 before announcing new public safety efforts involving the State Patrol.
- Despite Governor Walz's tough-on-crime statements, his judicial appointees have fueled Minnesota's crime crisis. The suspect arrested in the recent Mall of America shooting received two stayed sentences for two separate gun cases in 2021. Walz-appointed Ramsey County Judge Kellie Charles stayed the offender's 365 day sentence after serving just two days in jail.
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