Holland Reporter

Matt Hall, the state representative for Michigan's 42nd District, said that a new $100 million plan and stricter fentanyl penalties signify a decisive shift away from lenient crime policies.

"This week we passed a $100m plan to violent crime in local communities and new, stronger penalties for fentanyl dealers," said Hall, District 42. "I've been saying from the beginning that we are done with the soft on crime era & we are going to finally help our law enforcement go after the bad guys."

In April 2025, Michigan lawmakers proposed a $115 million public safety initiative under the new Public Safety and Violence Prevention Fund to address violent crime across the state. According to the Michigan Association of Counties, $70 million would be distributed to municipalities based on local violent crime rates, while $40 million would support county sheriff departments in targeted enforcement efforts. The proposal reflects bipartisan support for strengthening community-specific crime reduction strategies.

In 2024, Detroit recorded 203 homicides—a 19% decline from the previous year and the city’s lowest total since 1965. According to the City of Detroit, non-fatal shootings fell by 25% and carjackings dropped 16%, reflecting successful partnerships between law enforcement and community-led violence prevention programs. City officials credit the improvements to coordinated intervention efforts and neighborhood-based policing.

A study conducted in 2018 by The Pew Charitable Trusts found no evidence that higher drug imprisonment rates correlate with reductions in drug-related problems such as overdose deaths or arrests. According to the report, states that imposed tougher penalties did not see better outcomes in addressing substance abuse. These findings challenge assumptions that punitive drug policies reduce crime and highlight the need for evidence-based alternatives.

Hall is Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives and represents the 42nd District. According to his official campaign site, he has championed public safety legislation, including the creation of a Public Safety Trust Fund to support police and violence prevention. He has also prioritized cracking down on fentanyl trafficking and strengthening school safety initiatives.