North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein is calling for additional staff and funds to address public safety issues in the state, particularly related to fentanyl trafficking and solving sexual assault crimes. Stein wants to establish a “fentanyl control unit” to assist with trafficking and overdose cases, as well as a “cold case unit” to help solve longstanding sexual assault crimes. The recent elimination of a backlog for testing sexual assault kits has led to new matches in the national DNA database, prompting the need for more resources to investigate these cases.
He is also proposing initiatives to address staffing shortages in police departments and jails, as well as challenges in recruiting and retaining law enforcement officers. This $23 million package includes pay bonuses for graduates of the Basic Law Enforcement Training program, bonuses and relocation stipends for out-of-state or former military police interested in working in North Carolina, and measures to allow retired officers to return to work without impacting their retirement benefits. Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead highlighted the difficulties in staffing the county’s detention center and the need for adequate resources to ensure the safety and security of the facility.
Despite political differences between Stein, a Democrat, and the Republican-controlled General Assembly, there have been instances of bipartisan cooperation on anti-crime legislation in the past. Stein’s rival for governor in the upcoming election, Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, has criticized “soft-on-crime” policies and emphasized the importance of supporting law enforcement officers with the necessary training and resources. Robinson has highlighted the need for police to be treated with respect and not used as political pawns in public debates.
Stein’s legislative priorities for the General Assembly session include efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking and address the backlog of sexual assault cases. By hiring additional attorneys for specialized units within the Department of Justice, he aims to provide support to local prosecutors in complex criminal cases. The proposal also includes measures to incentivize individuals to pursue careers in law enforcement, such as bonuses for training program graduates and relocation stipends for out-of-state recruits.
Law enforcement officials, including police chiefs and sheriffs, have joined Stein in advocating for increased resources to address public safety challenges in North Carolina. The funding and staffing initiatives proposed by Stein are intended to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies to investigate crimes, support victims, and uphold public safety standards. In light of the rising number of fentanyl-related overdose deaths and the need to address sexual assault cases, there is a growing recognition of the importance of investing in law enforcement resources and personnel to protect communities across the state.
