ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — House Democrats say more funding is needed to combat terror recruiting in Minnesota.
The large Somali community in Minneapolis has made it a primary target for terrorism recruitment — and the federal government’s anti-terrorism efforts. Minnesota lawmakers put up $250,000 last year to fund anti-recruiting programs, with the federal government and private sources contributing more money.
READ MORE: Former Minneapolis Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson Fighting Stage 5 Kidney DiseaseHouse Democrats say that’s not enough. Minneapolis Rep. Phyllis Kahn and others proposed allocating another $2 million for those programs on Monday.
READ MORE: Ex-Soldier's Company Works To Provide Security, Peace Of Mind For ChurchesThe state’s Department of Public Safety hasn’t awarded the $250,000 sum from last year. A report released last week noted more study is needed to determine the most effective approaches but laid out some options, like training community members to identify at-risk youth and countering radical messages on social media.
MORE NEWS: Police: Boy's Body Found In Trunk Of Car In Mound, 2 Arrested(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)