Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis police sergeant accused of using AirTag to track, harass coworker, charges say
MINNEAPOLIS — A Minneapolis police sergeant is accused of illegally accessing a law enforcement database and then using an AirTag to track and harass a former romantic partner, who is also a coworker.
Gordon Blackey, 59, was charged in Anoka County with four misdemeanors, including harassment, unauthorized use of a tracking device and two counts of unauthorized acquisition of non-public data.
The charges state that Blackey and a fellow Minneapolis police sergeant had a brief romantic relationship last year. Since the breakup, the two had maintained a professional and friendly relationship. Then in March, the woman found an Apple AirTag in the wheel well of her car, which was linked to Blackey’s cell phone, according to the charges.
She confronted him, charges say, and Blackey said he put the AirTag in the car because he “cared about her.”
On April 30, Blackey invited her out for a drink, but she declined. Later that night while out with friends at a restaurant, she noticed Blackey sitting inside the restaurant too, which concerned her, documents say.
She reported the incidents to Minneapolis police and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office on May 7, expressing concern for her privacy and safety.
An Anoka County Sheriff’s Office investigation revealed that no court order authorized Blackey to place the AirTag in the woman’s car, the charges say.
The investigation also showed that Blackey had accessed the database for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and taken a photo of license plate numbers. The numbers were tied to the woman’s father and coworker, charges say, and Blackey had no law enforcement purpose for looking up their information.
In an interview with an Anoka County Sheriff’s Office detective, Blackey admitted to placing the AirTag in the woman’s car and accessing private information using BCA records without legitimate law enforcement purpose, charges say.
“I am, of course, very concerned about the charges, but I’ll refrain from commenting further to maintain the integrity of the criminal legal process,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.
Blackey is currently employed with the City of Minneapolis.
Minneapolis, MN
Prince's 'Purple Rain' House in Minneapolis Coming to Airbnb
Prince fans have a chance to stay in his famous “Purple Rain” house in Minneapolis, because it’s heading to Airbnb … in celebration of the movie and soundtrack’s 40th anniversary.
The late singer bought the place back in 2015 and it’s been closed to the public ever since … but now it’s finally opening its doors, courtesy of a couple members of Prince’s Revolution bandmates.
Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman are hosting the overnight stay, and the lucky guests will be able to spend a night in the life of The Kid.
Airbnb tells us the “Purple Rain” house is newly restored and decked out with pieces and memorabilia from Prince’s personal collection … including a closet full of his most legendary outfits.
The home’s downstairs is adorned with purple velvet wallpaper, and there’s a vintage 1980s stereo loaded with songs inspired by Prince.
The spa looks straight out of the “When Doves Cry” music video … complete with a claw-foot tub and stained-glass windows … plus a plush, purple robe and some lavender bath bombs.
Inside the music lounge, guests can play the drums, shred the guitar, tickle the ivories and sing the “Purple Rain” chorus along with pre-recorded audio from Prince himself.
Prince’s bedroom looks just like it does in “Purple Rain” … and it’s decked out with his personal tape collection — remember those things?!? — plus one of Prince’s original demo recordings.
Folks can request to book the “Purple Rain” house on Airbnb starting October 2 at 6 AM PT through October 6 at 11:59 PM PT … and guests will be randomly selected.
Good luck!!!
Minneapolis, MN
MPD adds 23 new officers, including first Somali woman and non-citizen
Somali-American woman sworn in as MPD officer
City leaders say the years-long effort to rebuild the Minneapolis Police Department, while not over, is starting to be seen and felt—nearly two dozen more officers, including new firsts, are on the force following a graduation ceremony.
“Just as they’re about to take their oaths today, before all of you and before God, I know that I have a sacred obligation to do that all I can for them,” MPD Chief Brian O’Hara said at the ceremony. “I pledge to you tonight that I will do everything within my power to take care of them.”
Now part of the rank-and-file are 11 recruits and 12 lateral officers who are joining from other agencies, some with more than a decade of experience. Of the recruits is the first-ever Somali woman, Ikran Mohamed, and permanent resident, Lesly Vera, for the department.
A permanent resident who is a non-citizen can be part of the department now due to a recent law change, Chief O’Hara said. Officer Vera said she moved to Minneapolis from Mexico when she was 4 and has called it home since.
“I didn’t see anybody that really looked like me, Latina,” Vera said about her drive to become a police officer. “I want to have that face for my people.”
The chief is standing firm behind his new officer.
“There may be people who question it, but that’s completely ridiculous. There’s, like I mentioned, there is a history in this country of people immediately on arrival to the country, enlisting in the military and serving,” O’Hara said, adding, “Somebody like [Officer Vera], who has been here essentially her entire life, absolutely is entitled to protect her community in the same way that anyone else here has, and we’re honored to have her.”
Her colleague, Officer Mohamed, with a similar message about her next big chapter in life.
“This is what I wanted to do, and it was very challenging. That’s why I’m here. And I want to be that somebody, [to] be a role model for girls who look like me. So they can say, I can do it too,” Mohamed said.
Mayor Jacob Frey feels the work they’ve been putting in to build up the department – not just in numbers, but culture – is starting to be seen and felt.
“It’s moving. It’s emotional. I mean, I talked about the hope in the room, from a personal standpoint as mayor of the city, it gives me a lot of hope. Our police department is looking more and more like the communities that we are charged with protecting and serving,” Frey said.
Also part of the graduation was four new Minneapolis Park Police Officers.
Minneapolis, MN
First look at Minneapolis' proposed rules for cannabis businesses
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minneapolis City Council has released its proposed restrictions on cannabis businesses in the city, as the state moves into the next steps of recreational marijuana legalization.
What we know
The city is working to update its zoning for cannabis businesses, as licenses are issued in the coming months in Minnesota.
City staff have proposed a series of restrictions for businesses.
- Dispensaries must be a minimum of 500 feet from schools and 500 feet from other dispensaries.
- Cannabis businesses can’t grow plants outdoors.
- Cannabis will also face restrictions on odors.
- Cannabis manufacturing will only be allowed in commercial and mixed-use areas – similar to breweries.
Context
Earlier this month, the state met with cities to provide guidance on cannabis restrictions that cities can implement under the new state law.
Just last week, the City of St. Paul passed a similar set of restrictions on cannabis businesses.
What’s next?
The proposed zoning restrictions are still in the early stages of consideration and need further approval from the council.
Currently, the Office of Cannabis Management expects to finalize its draft rules for businesses in early 2025. The licensing process is expected to start in 2025 after the rules are in place. Currently, cannabis sales are only allowed on tribal lands.
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