We must continue to work together to build a public safety system that works for, and better supports, everyone.
We have taken steps towards building a more comprehensive public safety system in the City of Minneapolis - but our work is not done.
We must reform, and rebuild law enforcement. I created a Public Safety Auditor position in the City Auditor’s Office, Internal Audit Division. The Public Safety Auditors provide objective services that enhance our ability to manage risks, improve internal controls, optimize efficiencies, reduce costs, and strengthen accountability within our public safety operations. The Public Safety Auditors play a key role in reforming, and rebuilding law enforcement in the City of Minneapolis.
We must expand, and build upon alternatives to law enforcement. We need to continue the research being conducted by the Department of Performance Management and Innovation into alternative 911 response options - 911 response options for calls that do not require a law enforcement response.
We need to implement data-driven public safety strategies. We need to evaluate our current programs, and explore new programs that are data-driven, and are proven to be effective in furthering public safety in the City of Minneapolis. We need to ensure that our limited resources go towards the most effective efforts.
We must make sure that all City Staff who provide public safety services are supported. We need to create additional hiring pathways, improve retention, and increase training opportunities for all City Staff in our Office of Community Safety.
While serving as Council Member for Ward 11…
We created the Office of Community Safety. The Office of Community Safety brings together all City Departments who provide public safety services, the Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Neighborhood Safety, Emergency Management, and 911.
We appointed a new Commissioner of Community Safety, Dr. Cedric Alexander, and a new Chief of Police, Brian O’Hara.
We passed an ordinance which established the new Community Commission on Police Oversight.
We approved the City of Minneapolis’s 2023 Budget which includes funding for:
731 sworn officers in the Police Department and 4 classes of new recruits.
The expansion of the successful Behavioral Crisis Response program.
5 new staff positions to the City Attorney's office to improve charging decisions made on city criminal cases, and dedicate staff to address deficiencies identified in the Minnesota Department of Civil Rights investigation.
1 new Community Attorney to be embedded in police precincts to partner with law enforcement, residents and neighborhood businesses to enhance public safety and to reduce and prevent crime.
Public Safety Contracts with community groups who provide innovative public safety services to high crime areas of the city.
I authored an amendment to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Phase 2 funding which secured $160K to support our Behavioral Crisis Response Teams in acquiring 2 additional vans.
I authored an amendment to the City of Minneapolis’s 2023 Budget which created a Public Safety Auditor position in the City Auditor’s Office, Internal Audit Division. The mission of the Public Safety Auditor will be to serve the City of Minneapolis and the public interest by providing objective services that enhance our ability to manage risks, improve internal controls, optimize efficiencies, reduce costs, and strengthen accountability within our public safety operations.
I championed 3 changes to the City of Minneapolis’s Legislative Agenda. The 3 changes to our Legislative Agenda made it clear that the City of Minneapolis supports necessary changes to state law – including changes that will allow better access to police officer records, changes that will allow for the release of body camera data when there is an active investigation, and changes that will further state restrictions on the use of No-Knock Warrants.
I’ve hosted multiple Ward 11 Public Safety Meetings, during which Ward 11 neighbors have an opportunity to connect with our Office of Community Safety. The Ward 11 Public Safety Meetings have been the most highly attended meetings I’ve hosted for Ward 11 neighbors. The Ward 11 Public Safety Meetings to date have featured the new Office of Community Safety, the new Commissioner of Community Safety, Dr. Cedric Alexander, the new Chief of Police, Brian O’Hara, and the new Department of Neighborhood Safety.
I brought together the City of Minneapolis, MPRB, and Hennepin County for a Town Hall Meeting with Ward 11 neighbors to discuss solutions for the intersection of Cedar Ave South and Edgewater Blvd. And, I spearheaded the efforts which have resulted in the “No Left Turn” sign, and an upcoming pilot project which will prevent left turns at the intersection.
I supported the Police Department in signing on to the 30x30 Pledge. In signing the 30×30 Pledge, the City of Minneapolis agreed to take measures to increase the representation of women in all ranks of law enforcement; ensure that policies and procedures are free of all bias; promote equitable hiring, retention and promotion of women officers; and ensure their culture is inclusive, respectful, and supportive of women in all ranks and roles of law enforcement.
I’ve attended 3rd Precinct and 5th Precinct roll calls to build relationships with the police officers who serve Ward 11, and I’ve brought Ward 11 small business owners to roll calls so they can build relationships with the police officers who serve their businesses.
I engaged with local, state, and national organizations on gun violence prevention.
What’s next…
I will continue to hold Ward 11 Public Safety Meetings, public meetings for Ward 11 residents with the Office of Community Safety. Ward 11 Public Safety Meetings are an opportunity for Ward 11 residents to hear from the Office of Community Safety, and the City Departments and City Staff who provide public safety services.
I will work to create additional hiring pathways, improve retention, and increase training opportunities for all City Departments in the Office of Community Safety.
I support, and continue to push for equitable recruitment, professional development, and advancement opportunities for women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC city staff in the Office of Community Safety.
I will work with the Mayor, my fellow Council Members, and City Staff to create a master plan to develop a 3rd Police Precinct, and take steps to implement that master plan.
I will support the expansion of the new Department of Neighborhood Safety.
I will support the expansion of the Behavioral Crisis Response Program.
I will work to reimagine how we can better connect our youth to the Youth Connections Center, which is a 24/7 safe and supervised space with wrap-around services for youth in Hennepin County.
I will support the roll-out, and integration of Public Safety Auditors in Internal Audit.
I will support the research being conducted by the Department of Performance Management and Innovation into alternative 911 response options - 911 response options for calls that do not require a traditional law enforcement response.
I will partner with local, state, and national partners to take action to prevent gun violence.
I will work with our jurisdictional partners to identify a solution for the intersection of Cedar Ave & Edgewater Blvd.