Minnesota Governor Tim Walz responding to criticism he's received from law enforcement and other community members since Sunday's deadly shooting that left two police officers and a medic dead in Burnsville.
Walz tells WCCO Radio's Vineeta Sawkar that it's his job to make sure public safety is a top investment in the state.
"We put over $300 million additionally in local, county government aid, and I don't think you can point to a comment made publicly that was disparaging," Walz told WCCO. "I understand this, I understand the frustration, understand the things that become polarized and politicized. I think we just need to continue to work at that."
Walz also says Sunday's deadly shooting is yet another reminder of the importance addressing mental health well before it reaches a tragic outcome.
He says the goal is to prevent these things from happening and that police will say domestic calls are some of the most dangerous calls they respond to.
"What's so difficult about this is that all of society's ills come to a point where they're asked to make a decision in the middle of the night, in a split second, when these could have been mental health issues with this individual that started in school," Walz said. "Or before. Or that the family was experiencing these things."
According to Walz, there have been 11 extreme risk protection orders issued since January 1 as a result of the state's Red Flag Law passed last legislative session.
Walz adds he respects the critical opinions offered his way following Sunday's tragedy.
People who want to donate to the families of the three first responders killed in Burnsville can find more information on that here.