Reducing Michigan's crime rate was one of the goals proposed by Governor Rick Snyder last night in his State of the State address.
That was welcome news to the lawmakers who represent one of Michigan's most dangerous cities: Saginaw.
Crime was one of the first things mentioned by Governor Snyder last night.
"We have four of the top 10 cities on the most violent crime list for the United States: Flint, Saginaw, Pontiac and Detroit. And in 2012, we are going to focus on this."
That was welcome news to Republican State Senator Roger Kahn, who represents Saginaw County. He said to reduce the crime rate, the focus must extend beyond.
"You've got to have jobs as part of the crime issue, and education as part of the crime issue. So yes, we need to put more police officers out, but we've got to find a way to deal with the issue of joblessness and the associated hopelessness that goes with that. We have to educate children from birth to be successful."
State Representative Stacy Erwin Oakes also believes that education is key to reducing crime rates. The Saginaw Democrat is hoping the legislature will appropriate more money for education this year.
"As we know, we currently have a surplus. It is our hope that those funds will be replaced back into the School Aid Fund, and we will take a systematic approach from birth to college age in investing in education."
Education aside, Erwin Oakes said she's concerned about Saginaw losing police officers over the coming year.
"The City of Saginaw, we know we are losing the State Trooper post from downtown Saginaw, the district office, and also have lost the State Trooper post in Bridgeport. So it just seemed to me that that's working against the ultimate goal of reducing crime."
The governor has said that by reducing brick and mortar state police posts, more troopers are able to be out on the road fighting crime.
Snyder is also planning a special message for March that will address Michigan's public safety issues.
That was welcome news to the lawmakers who represent one of Michigan's most dangerous cities: Saginaw.
Crime was one of the first things mentioned by Governor Snyder last night.
"We have four of the top 10 cities on the most violent crime list for the United States: Flint, Saginaw, Pontiac and Detroit. And in 2012, we are going to focus on this."
That was welcome news to Republican State Senator Roger Kahn, who represents Saginaw County. He said to reduce the crime rate, the focus must extend beyond.
"You've got to have jobs as part of the crime issue, and education as part of the crime issue. So yes, we need to put more police officers out, but we've got to find a way to deal with the issue of joblessness and the associated hopelessness that goes with that. We have to educate children from birth to be successful."
State Representative Stacy Erwin Oakes also believes that education is key to reducing crime rates. The Saginaw Democrat is hoping the legislature will appropriate more money for education this year.
"As we know, we currently have a surplus. It is our hope that those funds will be replaced back into the School Aid Fund, and we will take a systematic approach from birth to college age in investing in education."
Education aside, Erwin Oakes said she's concerned about Saginaw losing police officers over the coming year.
"The City of Saginaw, we know we are losing the State Trooper post from downtown Saginaw, the district office, and also have lost the State Trooper post in Bridgeport. So it just seemed to me that that's working against the ultimate goal of reducing crime."
The governor has said that by reducing brick and mortar state police posts, more troopers are able to be out on the road fighting crime.
Snyder is also planning a special message for March that will address Michigan's public safety issues.