Promoting Public Safety
In our growing state, Lt. Governor Bedke supports local and state law enforcement in their courageous efforts to keep Idaho safe. Idaho backs the blue. When first responders play a more active role in their communities, the rate of crime goes down. Lt. Governor Bedke is in favor of competitively paying our law enforcement officials and providing more training opportunities for critical situations, so they can continue to protect every Idahoan.
Lt. Governor Bedke strongly opposes the rising threat from fentanyl traffickers in Idaho that are putting our communities at risk. He supports more stringent sentencing guidelines for drug traffickers that deters their unlawful and dangerous activities, keeps our streets safer for all individuals, and prevents more unnecessary deaths.
Keeping Our Communities Safe
The troubling rise of opioid-related incidents and deaths in our communities has created a public health crisis, and fentanyl is emerging as a primary contributor.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine; it is the most potent and deadly drug in modern times. A vast majority of this illicit drug is making its way to Idaho from the Mexican border. Drug traffickers often hide fentanyl in counterfeit pills that are made to look like regular prescription pills, which has led to a sharp increase in overdose deaths.
Governor Brad Little formally established “Operation Esto Perpetua” into law in February of 2024 to combat the rise in deadly and illegal narcotics. Lt. Governor Bedke serves on the Citizens Action Group that works to assist our law enforcement to better protect our communities from harm.
Operation Esto Perpetua is now also tackling the lesser known but just as dangerous component of human trafficking in all its forms to help keep vulnerable children and adults safe.