At the Detroit Public Safety Headquarters on Monday, state Rep. Mike Harris, R-Waterford, participated in a roundtable meeting with local law enforcement and other public servants to discuss Harris’ bipartisan plan to support police work and violence intervention in Michigan.

“Police officers and residents are striving to free their communities from violence,” Harris said. “In Detroit, law enforcement and community leaders from all around Southeast Michigan shared how they are addressing violent crime and pleaded for more support. The state of Michigan must have their backs by investing in the Public Safety and Violence Prevention Trust Fund. Our bipartisan plan will send local communities critical resources to stop violent crime and keep people safe.”

Harris, a retired police sergeant who served 26 years in law enforcement, last month introduced House Bills 4260 and 4261 with Rep. Alabas Farhat, D-Dearborn. The bills set aside a portion of sales tax revenues — estimated at $110 million annually — for a new Public Safety and Violence Prevention Trust Fund. The trust fund will distribute $75 million to city, village, and township police departments specifically to reduce violent crime in each community, $1.5 million for victim services, $1.5 million for innovative violence intervention efforts, and the rest to county sheriff’s offices.

Harris and Farhat were joined at Monday’s event by House Speaker Matt Hall; state representatives from Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb counties; Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan; Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard; Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison; and other law enforcement officials and community leaders.