Representatives Danny Nadeau, Andrew Myers, and Ben Bakeberg said on Apr. 6 that reducing suicide and gun violence in Minnesota requires cooperation across political lines and a layered approach to prevention. In an opinion piece, the lawmakers outlined strategies they believe can help prevent tragedies in schools and communities.
The representatives argued that debates over single solutions—such as banning guns or hardening schools—have led to stalemates rather than progress. They said prevention should be viewed as a system involving early identification of risks, timely intervention, and connecting individuals with support.
The lawmakers pointed to focused deterrence strategies like Ceasefire in Baltimore as examples of effective approaches that combine law enforcement with community support services. “Variations of this model have contributed to meaningful reductions in violence when implemented with consistency and accountability and can work in Minnesota,” they said.
They also highlighted the importance of anonymous reporting systems that allow students, teachers, coworkers, and neighbors to report warning signs before crises occur. The legislators referenced programs such as the one at St. Francis Schools as evidence that these systems can prevent planned acts of violence when properly publicized and supported by trained professionals.
According to Nadeau, Myers, and Bakeberg, fusion centers play a key role by enabling agencies at different levels of government to share information about potential threats. They emphasized the need for behavioral threat assessment teams composed of educators, mental health professionals, and law enforcement officers who can evaluate concerning behavior early on.
The representatives called for comprehensive school safety plans that integrate mental health resources alongside physical security measures. They advocated for stronger leadership at the state level through an Office of Violence Prevention within public safety agencies—a move they say would align data sharing across departments while holding efforts accountable for results.
“Law enforcement cannot do this alone. Schools cannot do this alone. Neither can community organizations or public health professionals,” Nadeau, Myers, and Bakeberg said jointly in their statement. “But when these groups are connected…the system starts to work the way it should.” They concluded by urging colleagues in both legislative chambers to support their Safer Communities Together Initiative.
