Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis’ police consent decree brings hope, skepticism
MINNEAPOLIS — There are mixed feelings about a long-awaited agreement between Minneapolis and the federal government to bring reform to the city’s police department.
The city announced Monday it had agreed on a consent decree, or legal agreement, with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Some of the reforms outlined include changes to the use of force policy, limiting military-style tactics during protests, and banning handcuffing children under 14.
City leaders have said a key purpose of the consent decree is to rebuild the community’s trust in the police department.
KingDemetrius Pendleton, a Minneapolis photojournalist, says it will take more than legal documents and policy changes to do that.
“One of the biggest things is communication and listening to the people in the community,” he said. “If you want us to listen to you all [the police] and trust you all, you all have to be trustworthy. [MPD] can make a change, but it starts with being truthful.”
Pendleton also owns Listen 2 Us Studio, a community gallery near George Floyd Square that displays social justice-themed photography and art.
The consent decree process started after a police officer killed George Floyd in 2020, sparking global protests.
A Department of Justice report released in 2023 found that the Minneapolis Police Department engaged in systematic racial discrimination and unconstitutional policing for years.
Pastor Ian Bethel with the Unity Community Mediation Team worked with the DOJ on the consent decree and co-chairs the city’s Police Community Relations Council.
“I was so grateful and tearful today,” he said.
Bethel says real change will come through diligent community oversight.
“Compliance is the key,” he said. “The community’s going to do it, and the community’s given trust to us, because we’re tried and proven.”
The Minneapolis Police Department is also under a court-ordered agreement with the state of Minnesota, so some reforms are already underway.
A judge still has to approve the consent decree.
It’s unclear what will happen if President-elect Donald Trump takes office before then. He’s been critical of consent decrees in the past.
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis Ranked Among U.S. Cities With The Most People In Financial Distress
MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis is ranked among the American cities with the most people in financial distress nationwide, according to a recent analysis by WalletHub.
The personal finance website, which defines financial distress as having a credit account in forbearance or with deferred payments, looked at the country’s 100 largest cities without data limitations across nine metrics, including average credit score, change in bankruptcy filings year-over-year, and share of people with accounts in distress.
Minneapolis came in 44th on the list, between Stockton, California, at 43rd and Fresno, California, at 45th, according to the ranking.
Nationwide, the cities with the most people in financial distress were Chicago at No. 1, Houston at No. 2 and Las Vegas at No. 3, the ranking said.
“Getting out of the downward spiral of financial distress is no easy feat,” according to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.
“You may get temporary relief from your lenders by not having to make payments, but all the while interest will keep building up, making the debt even harder to pay off. People who find themselves in financial distress should budget carefully, cut non-essential expenses, and pursue strategies like debt consolidation or debt management to get their situation under control.”
Read more from WalletHub.
Minneapolis, MN
Whitefish council creates proclamation in solidarity with city, citizens of Minneapolis
WHITEFISH, Mont. — The Whitefish City Council in February presented and signed a proclamation expressing solidarity with the city and citizens of Minneapolis.
The proclamation states that Whitefish mourns the loss of life that occurred in Minneapolis and stands in solidarity with its residents.
It reaffirms the city’s commitment to equal treatment under the law and emphasizes that peaceful protest is a fundamental American right.
The proclamation was supported by five of the six council members.
Mayor John Muhlfeld said the action was meant to reaffirm the city’s values.
“A mayoral proclamation that is supported by five of six City Council members supporting solidarity with the city and citizens of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and reaffirming our supportive, just, equal and welcoming community,” Muhlfeld said. “I think this is somewhat overdue. Our town’s been through a lot over the years, This is more importantly to reaffirm our values as a council with our community because we care deeply about you.”
Over the last year, Whitefish has faced criticism amid rising tensions surrounding the Department of Homeland Security.
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View the full proclamation below.
Minneapolis, MN
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