Governor Lynch Creates N.H. Crime Commission

Gov. John Lynch today issued an Executive Order creating the Governor's New Hampshire Crime Commission to examine ways to strengthen public safety across the state.
"New Hampshire is one of the safest states in the nation. We must continue to work together to keep it that way, and to ensure that all of our citizens and our visitors feel safe and secure in our communities," Gov. Lynch said.

The Commission is comprised of lawmakers, prosecutors, members of law enforcement, community and business leaders, and victims' advocates. Attorney General Kelly Ayotte will chair the commission.

"Crime is an issue that affects the lives of all our citizens and every aspect of our state: from families living in our big cities and small towns to business owners working to attract customers and visitors to New Hampshire," Gov. Lynch said. "We all have a role in keeping our communities safe. As a state, we must ensure that our laws and policies are as effective as possible in preventing crime; that communities and state agencies are communicating and cooperating; and that we are giving our men and women on the front lines the tools they need to better allow them to do their jobs."

Gov. Lynch directed members of the Commission to review existing laws, assess current crime prevention efforts, look at intelligence gathering and sharing and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of New Hampshire's resources used to combat crime and the causes of it.

Gov. Lynch also directed the Commission to recommend ways state and local agencies can work with each other - and with neighboring states - to reduce crime and keep our citizens safe.

In the aftermath of the murder of Manchester Police Officer Michael Briggs, Gov. Lynch met with state and local law enforcement officers, elected officials and community advocates, to discuss what steps were needed to improve crime prevention.

In addition to providing an immediate surge of resources to the City of Manchester, it was agreed the state should develop a comprehensive long-term strategy to keep New Hampshire one of the safest states in the nation.

As a result of those discussions, Gov. Lynch created the New Hampshire Commission on Crime.

"The security our citizens feel in their communities is a part of New Hampshire's special quality of life. Together, we will protect it," Gov. Lynch said.