MINNEAPOLIS — A new security team is now assigned to Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis, with the goal of making downtown less dangerous.

From Washington Avenue to Grant Street, all along Nicollet Mall, there will be notice an electric golf car with two friendly faces inside.

“We enjoy what we do, “said Calvin Williams. Williams and Michael Beech are officers with Unparalleled Security. Their job is to engage with people along Nicollet Mall. 

“Getting to know a lot of the regular people who are here day to day a lot of business people downtown to people who just like to hang out and enjoy the scenery,” said Michael Beech,

The work use to be done by Minneapolis Police Reserves, but with their shrinking numbers, the Downtown Improvement District decided to contract it out.

“It’s providing a Nicollet security presence, unarmed with a lot of training, de escalation, Narcan training, crisis intervention, basic first aid, youth engagement,” said Shane Zahn.

The goal is to make everyone feel welcome while making sure they are no problems.

“We basically try to deescalate any situation that we come across like we help people that is hot and homeless,” Williams said.

Welfare checks are a big part of their job. Officers are connected by radio to all buildings and businesses along Nicollet Mall and can be dispatched to any spot where there might be trouble.

Unparalleled Security also works with community partners, 21 Days of Peace, Mad Dads, and Hennepin County social workers all work together to keep Nicollet Mall safe.

This added level of prevention was needed since the number of people coming to the area has increased from last year.

Minneapolis hotels set a revenue record with hotel demand and occupancy; a lot of that traffic passed through Nicollet Mall. Both officers are trained to address the needs of young people and others down on their luck.

“Giving them the resources from if they need somewhere to stay, clothing anything like that if they need someone to talk to. Sometimes a friend just helps,” Beech said.

The pilot program will run through September.

Several Minneapolis businesses are closed and residents are displaced in Uptown after a dumpster fire caused long-lasting damage.

Three businesses off West Lake Street near the fire had to shut their doors because of damage.

One of those businesses, Face Day Spa, is assessing damages and mapping out how to move forward.

“I’m still in shock. It just gets a little bit harder, especially as I see bills continuously coming out, and no money coming in,” Matisse Johnson, Face Day Spa owner, said.

It’s been one week since Johnson was told it’s not safe to have clients inside her spa.

The Black-owned business opened up in Uptown five years ago to provide a safe space for the Black community to experience luxury and relaxation.

“I put my blood, sweat, and tears into creating the space, and most importantly, it’s a safe space for my staff,” Johnson said. “People view this as a luxury and somewhere to come and have that experience in the Black community is huge.”

A place of relaxation turned to the center of stress on July 22.

Around 3:30 a.m. last Monday morning, a security camera caught a man walking up to a dumpster and lighting a fire. The video shows the flames crawl up the building burning everything in its path.

Johnson is now stuck with smoke damage and no electricity.

About 80 appointments per week are canceled and her team is unemployed until further notice.

“It’s hard, it’s really hard. I don’t mean to cry, but this is definitely my baby and I have nothing but this,” Johnson said.

On the top floor of the same building, tenants were sleeping in their apartments when the fire broke out.

“I was just faced with like a hallway full of smoke and fire coming through the back door,” Rose Opstad, building tenant, said. “It’s really overwhelming.”

Everyone got out safely. Now they’re packing up what didn’t turn to ashes.

The property manager tells 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that repairing some of the units will take at least five months and cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Back on the first floor, Johnson has to replace furniture and wallpaper and throw out products battered with smoke damage.

Smoke damage can be an invisible threat. In some cases, it can’t be seen, but it’s often trapped in furniture, walls, and floors.

The damage is forcing her to tear down everything she’s built.

“This is something that I created and that I take pride in and it’s all I have. It’s my only form of income,” Johnson said. “I am going to trust in God and I’m going to work as hard as I’ve worked to get it open.”

A fundraiser has been set up to help the business cover lost wages and rent.