Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis City Council introduces new safety plan with alternatives to police response
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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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Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis park board, striking workers reach tentative deal
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Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis crisis response team handles thousands of calls once routed to police
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Riding along with the Minneapolis crisis response team
The Minneapolis crisis response team, formed as an alternative to police after the murder of George Floyd, has responded to more than 20,000 calls. FOX 9 Investigator, Nathan O’Neal, has the story.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minneapolis crisis response team, which was formed as an alternative to police after the murder of George Floyd, has responded to more than 20,000 calls since it was formed – handling calls ranging from mental health to homelessness and addiction.
Why it matters
The Minneapolis Behavioral Crisis Response (BCR) team was formed in 2021 and was cited as a critical tool for police reform by the Department of Justice.
The DOJ called the Minneapolis crisis team a “compassionate alternative response” after investigating the Minneapolis Police Department.
“We have entirely revamped our safety system,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. “When we get a difficult call in right now, it’s not just about sending officers with a gun to this particular problem.”
How it helps
On a recent day in July, the FOX 9 Investigators joined the crisis response team in Minneapolis. The team responded to welfare checks and mentally distressed residents all over the city.
“It’s really powerful to be able to listen to what the person is going through because what I see as a crisis is completely different from what they’re going through,” said behavior crisis responder Elias Rosas-Lee.
During one call, the team aided a woman in distress who had not eaten nor taken her medication in a few days. The team helped stabilize the woman, who had a known mental health history, and contacted her social worker.
“We can’t save anybody, they have to save themselves,” said behavioral crisis responder David Ruth. “But what we could do is give them the proper resources and hope.”
How it’s going
The service was launched in 2021 and is free to the public. It was expanded to a 24/7 service last year.
“All over the country folks are calling for an alternative response,” said Keara Nadeau-Grandy, director of clinical operations at Canopy Roots, which operates the crisis team.
The BCR team is unarmed and responds to calls that have been screened to ensure there is no violence involved.
“Everybody always thinks about the situations where law enforcement has been involved – and it has not turned out very well, “said Nadeau-Grandy. “We hope that we can reduce those incidents.
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis looks to rent vacant storefronts to local artists, organizations
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A new Minneapolis initiative will give local artists and organizations a break on rent to fill empty storefront properties.
The Vibrant Storefronts Initiative came out of Mayor Jacob Frey’s Vibrant Downtown Storefronts Workgroup. The city says it’s still feeling the effects of the pandemic and civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd. Many storefronts in the area have been left vacant, but the project aims to restore vibrancy, increase foot traffic, and boost economic stability across the city, starting on historic Harmon Place near Loring Park.
The City Council approved $250,000 from the 2024 budget and debuted the initiative Wednesday. Local artists and organizations can apply for a space and receive up to $50,000 for up to two years.
The city said it’s a win-win situation, meaning local artists will be able to find affordable spaces and storefront owners will be able to fill vacant properties.
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Jenni Undis was a business owner in Harmon Place until 2016. She said the area used to be bustling with all storefronts filled with businesses.
“I’m very excited to see that the city is investing in this area and bringing the arts back into this neighborhood,” Undis said. “With the history and beautiful old buildings, the beautiful natural space of the park, it’s just a really magical neighborhood.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announces the launch of Vibrant Storefront Initiative.
Chandra Colvin | MPR News
The initiative is not exclusive to visual arts and includes all mediums, such as digital and performative. The city wants to bring in a variety of artists and organizations, with the expectation that quarterly showcases or events will be held to attract visitors.
“When art thrives in our community and at storefronts like this, people living here and driving by take notice. It also becomes a positive reason to visit and keep coming back,” said Ben Johnson, the director of the city’s Arts and Cultural Affairs department.
Johnson said the arts are central to the identity of Minneapolis and are what makes the city strong.
City Council member Katie Cashman also backed the initiative.
“Community arts not only bring joy and beauty to our neighborhoods, they also allow us to have meaningful conversations about what our shared identity is,” Cashman said.
The initiative currently has eight properties for artists to apply for and hopes to add and expand in the future and is set to run for the next two years.
Program Manager Cassie Garner said there has already been interest from local artists.
Applications go live on Friday, July 26.
Empty Storefront on Harmon Place next to old Aveda Salon in Minneapolis.
Chandra Colvin | MPR News
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