Minneapolis, MN

'High-risk' concerns found at Minneapolis Police Property and Evidence Warehouse

Published

5 months ago

February 12, 2024

'High-risk' concerns found at Minneapolis Police Property and Evidence Warehouse

The Office of the Minneapolis City Auditor released a report Monday that outlines six “high-risk” concerns about the logging, storing and tracking of criminal evidence housed at the Minneapolis Police Property and Evidence Warehouse.

The top three high-risk concerns, however, are heavily redacted and the public is not able to see any details about what they might be.

Susan Trammel, an attorney in the City Attorney’s Office, explained why those three high-risk items were not disclosed under state law.

“The disclosure of some of the information contained within the Property and Evidence Audit Report could compromise security procedures or responses,” Trammel told the city’s Audit Committee.

Three other items were then listed as high-risk concerns.

The city auditor said the audit found water leaking into the warehouse with the potential to damage criminal evidence. The auditor’s report stated, “This could expose the city to legal, reputational and financial risk.”

The report also cited the tracking of evidence and property after it’s brought to the warehouse. Again, the auditor’s report said, “…there is a risk that M-P-D’s property records are not current and accurate.”

The last item of high-risk concern stated officers were not properly logging evidence into the Police Records Management System (PIMS). The report stated, “…there might be chain of custody questions and concerns.”

Audit Committee member Kathy Abene said she had a strong concern about the water leaking from the roof into the warehouse.

“The evidence in there and anyone that’s associated with criminal evidence, or crime evidence, knows this is important,” said Abene.

City Council Vice President and Audit Committee member Aisha Chughtai said these items listed in the audit should be addressed as soon as possible.

“There is a need to either make explicit policy or change policy where it exists right now,” said Chughtai.

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Minneapolis, MN

Davide Harabagiu Highlights Night 3 On Minneapolis Futures With 52.95 100 Fly

Published

5 mins ago

July 26, 2024

Press Room

Davide Harabagiu Highlights Night 3 On Minneapolis Futures With 52.95 100 Fly

2024 FUTURES CHAMPIONSHIPS- MINNEAPOLIS

Davide Harabagiu highlighted night 3 of competition in Minneapolis swimming to a 52.95 in the 100 butterfly. That was just off his personal best of a 52.75 from Settecolli in Rome last month. Harabagiu swims collegiately for Minnesota but originally hails from Italy.

Also highlighting the night was Annike Parkhe who swam to a 58.85 in the 100 fly, the only swimming under the 1:00 mark. Parkhe has a best time of a 58.58 that she swam for 13th during prelims of US Olympic Trials last month. She finished 16th in semifinals in a 59.02.

Finishing behind Parkhe in the 100 fly was Grace Rabb who swam a 1:00.28. Later in the session, Rabb earned a win touching in a 2:32.69 in the 200 breast. Rabb, a Florida commit, swam a best time in the 100 fly as her previous best was a 1:01.36. Her 200 breast best time stands at a 2:32.39 from May.

The final winner on the women’s side was Katie McCarthy who won the 400 free in a 4:15.81. McCarthy was 34th in the event at US Trials in a 4:14.90 and has a best time of a 4:14.89.

The men’s 400 free was a battle as Jiarui Xue earned the win in a 3:59.16 touching just ahead of Chase Maier who swam a 3:59.24. Xue has a best time of a 3:59.00 and is committed to Princeton while Maier dropped a huge best time as his previous best was a 4:05.01.

Sirui Wang won the 200 breast in a 2:17.24, almost a five second drop from his previous best of a 2:22.05 from May. He was a 2:22.65 in the event at the last summer.

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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis City Council introduces new safety plan with alternatives to police response

Published

7 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Press Room

Minneapolis City Council introduces new safety plan with alternatives to police response

Minneapolis leaders lay out new safety plan

The new plan folds in efforts already underway like the behavioral response team which is sent on some crisis calls where police are not necessary, or a new traffic control unit that is staffed by people who are not sworn officers. But the real purpose of the Safe and Thriving Communities plan is to offer a sort of road map to public safety.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Minneapolis City Council members are asking the public for feedback on a new public safety model that they hope will restore trust in public safety services.

Officials say the Public Safety Beyond Policing Action Plan is based on an outline of a community safety system that will include “preventative, restorative and response services beyond policing.”

What we know

City leaders say they are moving to codify the Public Safety Beyond Policing Action Plan after the Minneapolis Safe and Thriving Communities Blueprint that was announced last year.

READ MORE: Minneapolis leaders lay out a new plan for community safety

The first draft of the Public Safety Beyond Policing Action Plan was presented earlier this week. City officials say public comment and feedback on the 10-year plan will be taken for 45 days.

An overview and briefing detailing the progress of the Safe and Thriving Communities Report was presented during Wednesday’s Public Health and Safety Committee (PHS).

Public engagement and comment sessions will also be held in front of the PHS committee before the final adoption of the plan, which is expected to happen in the fall of 2024.

What they’re saying

Minneapolis officials say “there has been little or unclear movement on implementation by the administration” since the last city-wide community safety plan last year.

A news release announcing the latest policing plan said there are concerns over a “lack of seriousness” about the city implementing a new comprehensive safety system.

Vice Chair of the Public Health and Safety Committee and City Council Member Robin Wonsley said the following in the same news release: “Council is serious about realizing the comprehensive public safety system that our residents have asked for since May 2020. We can have a city where there are a multitude of preventive, responsive, and restorative services to meet our public safety needs efficiently and equitably. The Safe and Thriving Communities Report and the Public Safety Beyond Policing Action Plan includes a clear ten-year guide to make this vision a reality.”

Public Health and Safety Chair and City Council Member Chavez said “Ward 9 is home to one of the most diverse communities in the whole state and residents are deeply engaged in leading on public safety work. Residents are tired of empty promises and slow progress when it comes to their safety needs. The time to act is now and the Council is ready to continue to lead on keeping all of us safe.”

Minneapolis City Council President Elliot Paynes released a statement saying “This is the City Council flexing our oversight responsibility. The administration put forward a plan with the Safe and Thriving Communities report and we are making sure the promise of this plan is fulfilled with transparency and with the input of our community at the center of it.”

Background

This is the latest development after the Safe and Thriving Communities plan was announced last year. Advocates say it took a “holistic approach” to public safety.

That plan came after the development of a plan was requested by Mayor Jacob Frey in 2021.

City officials say they are currently in phase one of implementing the Safe and Thriving Communities plan.

The Minneapolis City Council also approved a new police contract earlier this month that includes a nearly 22% pay raise for officers over the next three years.

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