Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – Governor Brad Little joined members of law enforcement in Coeur d’Alene today to highlight portions of his “Leading Idaho” plan that invest in public safety.

“I am proud Idaho is a state that openly appreciates and supports law enforcement. Our law enforcement in Idaho care deeply about maintaining strong relationships with the communities they serve, and it is important for us to also make sure they are equipped with what they need to do their jobs effectively,” Governor Little said.

Governor Little’s Leading Idaho plan this year “backs the blue” by increasing the number of state police troopers, adding a new Idaho State Police district facility in Idaho Falls, and standing up a new forensics lab to ensure fair and impartial scientific analysis is provided to the criminal justice system.

While in Coeur d’Alene today, Governor Little also kicked off the North Idaho Roundtable for “Operation Esto Perpetua.” The Legislature also approved $250,000 to implement Operation Esto Perpetua – the Governor’s plan to help to combat the smuggling of fentanyl and other high-profile narcotics into the state due to the ongoing border crisis.

“Meth and fentanyl are the most serious and growing drug threats in Idaho, and there is a direct tie to the loose border with Mexico. Recognizing there is much more we can do to make Idaho’s communities safer, I asked law enforcement, lawmakers, cities, counties, tribes, families, and the public to come together in a new way with one goal – to meaningfully reduce the flow of fentanyl and meth the State of Idaho,” Governor Little said.

Overall, the added investments represent a 20-percent increase for ISP across all funds – and 15-percent on General Fund.

Additional investments in public safety and other areas of the Governor’s Leading Idaho plan can be found here: https://gov.idaho.gov/leading-idaho/

Additional information on Operation Esto Perpetua can be found here: https://gov.idaho.gov/operation-esto-perpetua/

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