Reps. Kelly, Demings advocate enhanced public safety

Lawmakers and law enforcement personnel recently gathered in Washington, DC, to address the national rise in violent crime and the need to keep communities safe.

U.S. Reps. Robin L. Kelly (D-IL) and Val Demings (D-FL) previously introduced the Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act, a measure they said helps law enforcement departments close murder and violent crime cases by hiring, training, and retaining detectives and victim services personnel.

In 2020 the nation experienced the largest increase rise in murder since national record-keeping began 62 years ago.

“Our community leaders are doing everything they can to keep our communities safe and catch criminals, but it isn’t enough,” Kelly said. “We need national action to help prevent crime in cities and towns across the country…solving crimes and bringing justice to victims and their families. It also will improve relationships between the community and police who serve them.”

Authorities noted that 21,570 people were murdered domestically in 2020, representing the most homicides since 1995 while reflecting a 29.4 percent increase over 2019.

“We must invest in our police departments,” Demings, a former 27-year law enforcement officer and Chief of Police for the Orlando Police Department, said. “When we take the time to talk to communities, particularly those in high crime areas, they say ‘we want to fund the police.’ Public safety is the foundation on which we build great communities.”

Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) President Patrick Yoe said Demings brings knowledge to Congress valuable to law enforcement.

“Her experience and background in addressing the nation’s skyrocketing crime rate – she knows how to protect a community because she’s done it, and she’s worked a beat and worked every position up to Chief,” he said.