- Ashley Hinson has consistently supported tougher crime policies, favoring stricter punishment as a crime reduction strategy and maintaining existing police accountability rules (OnTheIssues.org, 2023).
- She has prioritized school safety by co-sponsoring and supporting the STOP II Act (Secure Every School and Protect our Nation's Children Act), which funds school resource officers, mental health counselors, enhanced school security, and improved coordination between schools and law enforcement (Gazette, 2022; Des Moines Register, 2022).
- In the aftermath of the Perry High School shooting, Hinson condemned the perpetrator in strong terms but was criticized by some constituents for not providing concrete preventive solutions and focusing on rapid response rather than prevention (Manchester Press, 2024).
- Hinson has highlighted a dramatic increase in cartel-related drug activity in Iowa since 2021, citing rises in fentanyl seizures and stressing the need for stricter border security and anti-drug trafficking measures (Gazette, 2021; Des Moines Register, 2024).
- Potential vulnerabilities exist in perceptions that Hinson’s approach to public safety emphasizes punishment and post-crisis response rather than proactive prevention and comprehensive solutions to broader issues such as gun violence (Telegraph Herald, 2024).
2023: Ashley Hinson Favored Stricter Punishment As A Way To Reduce Crime According to OnTheIssues.org, "Rated Keep existing rules for police accountability." [OnTheIssues.org, 2/6/23, 2/6/23]
June 2022: Hinson Cited STOP II Act Co-Sponsorship As Alternative School Security Measure According to Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), "Her office noted the Marion Republican co-sponsored the STOP II (Secure Every School and Protect our Nation's Children Act) to fund school resource officers and mental health counselors, bolster school security, and establish a way for the federal government, schools and law enforcement to better communicate and provide training." [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 6/23/22]
2024: Hinson Supported The Secure Every School And Protect Our Nation's Children Act According to Gazette, "In Congress, Hinson has supported the Secure Every School and Protect our Nation's Children Act to fund school resource officers and mental health counselors, strengthen school security and establish a way for the federal government, schools and law enforcement to better communicate." [Gazette, 1/4/24]
2024: Letter Writer Deb Lechtenberg Reported Ashley Hinson's Comments on Perry School Shooting According to a letter to the editor published in Manchester Press (Iowa), 'Absolutely terrible,' 'true hate in their heart,' and 'absolute monster' were Representative Ashley Hinson's comments on the deadly school shooting in Perry on Jan. 4. While Hinson may have had harsh words for the shooter at Perry High School, she had zero solutions. 'But I think if we could legislate away this kind of hate we would have done it by now.' [Letter to the Editor - Manchester Press (Iowa), 1/17/24]
2024: Letter Writer Deb Lechtenberg Claimed Ashley Hinson Focused on Response Over Prevention Following Shootings According to a letter to the editor published in Manchester Press (Iowa), 'Hinson focuses on rapid response teams after the tragedy has already happened. We need solutions to prevent these types of gun violence.' [Letter to the Editor - Manchester Press (Iowa), 1/17/24]
2024: Ashley Hinson Condemned Perry High School Shooter According to a letter to the editor published in Telegraph Herald, 'Absolutely terrible,' 'true hate in their heart,' and 'absolute monster' were Representative Ashley Hinson's comments on the deadly school shooting in Perry on Jan. 4. [Letter to the Editor - Telegraph Herald, 1/17/24]
2024: Letter Writer Deb Lechtenberg Asserted Hinson Offered No Solutions To School Shooting According to a letter to the editor published in Telegraph Herald, 'While Hinson may have had harsh words for the shooter at Perry High School, she had zero solutions. "But I think if we could legislate away this kind of hate we would have done it by now."' [Letter to the Editor - Telegraph Herald, 1/17/24]
June 2022: Hinson Co-Sponsored STOP II Act According to Globe Gazette, "Her office noted the Marion Republican co-sponsored the STOP II (Secure Every School and Protect our Nation's Children Act) to fund school resource officers and mental health counselors, bolster school security, and establish a way for the federal government, schools and law enforcement to better communicate and provide training." [Globe Gazette, 6/18/22]
Ashley Hinson Cosponsored STOP II Act On School Safety In 2022 According to Des Moines Register, "I'm a cosponsor of the STOP II (Secure Every School and Protect our Nation's Children) Act to fund school resource officers and mental health counselors as well as bolster security at schools." [Des Moines Register (Iowa), 10/7/22]
Ashley Hinson Argued Iowa Saw Tripled Cartel Drug Activity Since Biden Took Office As Of 2024 According to Des Moines Register, "Iowa law enforcement officers recently informed me that cartel-connected drug activity has tripled in our state since Biden took office. Securing the border, stopping illegal immigration, and protecting our country is priority No. 1," she said. [Des Moines Register, 11/7/24]
May 2021: Hinson Said Drug Cartels Were Sending Fentanyl Into Iowa From Mexico According to The Gazette, 'They're (drug cartels) sending their dangerous drugs, fentanyl, up into states like mine, to Iowa,' she said. [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 5/24/21]
May 2021: Gazette Confirmed Drugs, Including Fentanyl, Increased In Iowa Since January According to The Gazette, 'Iowa law enforcement officers have confirmed a rise [in dangerous drugs, including fentanyl, coming up from Mexico into the United States] since January.' [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 5/24/21]
Hinson Asserted Fentanyl Seizures Had Risen 233% In 2021 And Warned Of Migrant Deaths At The Border According to Gazette, "Fentanyl seizures are up 233 percent this year." "Harris likely heard from communities 'crying out for help because they need more body bags for all the migrants who are dying trying to cross the border.'" [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 6/25/21]
Ashley Hinson Cited 233 Percent Increase In Fentanyl Seizures At Border In 2021 According to Daily Nonpareil, 'She's going to see and hear about the shocking number of drugs coming across. Fentanyl seizures are up 233 percent this year.' [Daily Nonpareil, 6/26/21]