State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, R-Parkville, stood alongside Missouri Gov. Mike Parson as Parson put his signature to legislation creating a pretrial witness protection fund during a signing ceremony held recently at Lodge #99 of the Kansas City Fraternal Order of Police. Sen. Luetkemeyer shepherded the measure across the legislative finish line in the upper chamber during an extra legislative session that concluded Sept. 16. House Bill 66 will enable law enforcement agencies to provide pretrial security for witnesses or potential witnesses in criminal proceedings. The bill is one of two crime-control measures passed during the extraordinary legislative session called by the governor. “One of the greatest challenges prosecutors face is witness intimidation. It’s extremely difficult to obtain convictions when witnesses are afraid for their safety,” Sen. Luetkemeyer says. “This legislation will give law enforcement the resources they need to provide for the security of witnesses and ensure those with information about violent crimes are willing to come forward. In this current environment, it’s essential that we provide all the tools we can to law enforcement to reestablish law and order in our state.”
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