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. 

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.