The Republican candidate for governor Mike Braun largely repeated earlier plan points in his public safety proposal. (Nathan Gotsch/Fort Wayne Politics)
The Republican candidate for governor released an updated public safety plan Tuesday, largely repeating the same priorities included in an earlier primary version of the proposal.
U.S. Sen. Mike Braun’s six-point plan includes the following pillars: confronting the drug crisis, enforcing the law, tackling undocumented immigration, supporting police, treating mental health conditions and prioritizing school safety.
Neither the original February plan nor Thursday’s update included a cost estimate.
“Every Hoosier deserves to feel safe in their community, and to achieve that we need to support our police with the training and resources they need, confront the drug crisis head on, enforce the law so criminals don’t end up back on the street due to prosecutors refusing to do their jobs, tackle illegal immigration bringing fentanyl and crime to our streets like the attack we saw on a young girl in northwest Indiana, and take action to give our schools what they need to keep kids safe,” Braun said in a statement.
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Authorities told local media that the Saturday stabbing of a 14-year-old girl appeared to be a random attack, according to WTHR. The suspect was previously deported to Honduras, and is now in custody.
The previous version of the plan included raises for state troopers — on top of recently enacted salary increases — as well as the establishment of an Office of School Safety. Local police are paid by city and county budgets but Braun said the state “should invest” in pay bumps.
Both versions included a legal maneuver rejected by lawmakers that would give the governor’s office discretion to remove and replace state-funded prosecutors.
A specific addition to the plan would introduce stronger penalties for distribution of illegal drugs as well as a clearer call to prohibit bail for Hoosiers charged with violent crimes.
State-funded prosecutors would also get additional resources. Braun reiterated his plan to “end sanctuary cities” which have been a target for Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita. Some have already struck their “welcoming city” ordinances in response.
The candidate for governor would also work with border states to share National Guard resources — which Gov. Eric Holcomb deployed to Texas earlier this year.
Braun repeated promises to protect qualified immunity and promote officer training as well as a directive for the state to invest more in mental health treatment facilities. The Indiana Behavioral Health Commission called for an additional multi-million investment last week in the next budget cycle.
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