NC Governor: Fund Public Safety Now

0:00It's March 20, Durham. Let's get into the news. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein is urging lawmakers to tackle severe staffing shortages in law enforcement before they spiral out of control and endanger public safety. He's pushing for $1.4 billion in new state funding with over $211 million targeted specifically at public. Safety to cover pay raises and more resources. Earlier this week, Stein highlighted the issue during a speech at Central Piedmont Community College, joined by top law enforcement officials who echoed the need for immediate budget support. These shortages mean agencies struggle to fill critical roles, leaving communities more vulnerable as response time slow and coverage gaps widen. Offices often earn less than they could in retail jobs, driving talent away from the field. The state Bureau of Investigation and other state agencies report the same hiring roles with vacancies piling up across the board. Lawmakers now face mounting pressure to approve the funding and shore up these essential

1:02services before the gaps grow even larger.