HAYDEN — Public safety and drug trafficking across Idaho’s borders were foremost on Gov. Brad Little’s mind Monday during a press conference at StanCraft Jet Center.  

While trying to crack down on cellphones and drug paraphernalia in the prison system, Little noted a common theme in intercepted drug trafficking communications which made him proud of the state's progress: “Stay over the state line.”   

“With more people moving here, I hear over and over from the people of Idaho that it’s important to remain safe, particularly with all the hyper growth that we have,” Little said.   

Looking at the scope of national policies concerning immigration and ICE, Little has been encouraged by federal relationships with ICE and immigration enforcement agencies “working hand in glove with the administration” to create a “coherent and cooperative atmosphere.”    

Violent crime has hit a five-year low, Little stated, adding that Idaho has one of the lowest homicide rates in the country.   

Stopping drugs from entering the state has been a part of the “Esto Perpetua” initiative.     

This was one of the reasons earlier this year, Little pledged to hire a new prosecutor in the Coeur d’Alene area to focus on drug trafficking cases because the Interstate 90 corridor makes it a priority.  

“Our goal for Esto Perpetua is to get all of the drugs out of Idaho,” Little said.  

Idaho is also adding a new statewide drug interdiction team at ISP to intercept fentanyl coming into the state. 

He said Idaho jails and prisons are working to “break that cycle of recidivism.” 

“We need to realize almost everybody in the corrections system is going to get out and back on the streets we need to keep people safe,” Little said. 

The recent strain on public defenders has also been noted as the new pay rates have gone into effect to standardize them across the state.

“One of the issues was, do we pay the same thing in Nez Perce County as Kootenai County? By the end of the legislative session, we added a lot more money to it,” Little said. “It’s not going to be perfect, it’s a brand-new program.”