COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – Last week at the Edwardsville Police Department, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, met with members of local fire and police departments to discuss public safety issues facing the Metro East.

“Local fire, police and paramedics put their lives on the line every day,” said Stuart. “Their feedback and ideas on improving the safety of our communities is critical. We discussed the 911 consolidation that was signed into law prior to me assuming the office, the ongoing opioid crisis and how to increase diversity in the profession. I learned a lot and plan to continue bringing together public safety leaders to discuss ways in which we can work together to better protect our communities.”

Stuart recently passed legislation expanding law enforcement’s ability to prosecute out-of-state drug dealers who distribute heroin and other drugs to Illinois residents. Stuart continues to fight for additional resources for law enforcement in the state budget.

“It is important that we continue to support those who have dedicated their lives to public safety and I am thankful everyday for the community my family and I are able to live in,” Stuart continued. “I intend to keep fighting to provide our fire, police, and EMS departments the resources they need.”