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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2026
CONTACT:
Kayla Drake
kdrake@momentum-advocacy.com
314-448-8064
21-City Coalition Asks for State Aid and Guardrails After Operation Metro Surge
(ST. PAUL, MN) – Today, the Cities for Safe and Stable Communities Coalition, representing 21 Minnesota municipalities, convened at the Capitol to announce a legislative agenda aimed at stabilizing local economies and restoring public trust following the drawdown of federal officers from Operation Metro Surge.
The coalition is calling for immediate state municipal aid to stabilize cities experiencing the economic ripple effects of the 10-week operation. Mayors reported increased police overtime, business losses, food insecurity, rental assistance requests, and an education crisis. Cities are still tallying costs as the operation de-escalates.
Initial costs paint a stark picture of the surge’s impact beyond the Twin Cities:
- In Bloomington alone, 600 children have switched to remote learning due to fear of enforcement actions during school commutes.
- Brooklyn Park reported over 215 hours in police overtime directly related to managing the surge's disruptions.
- Louis Park and Eden Prairie local food shelves and rental assistance programs are facing funding gaps of $80,000 to $100,000.
- Columbia Heights’ local commerce has seen a 40% decline in business.
Beyond financial aid, the coalition also supports policy protections to prevent future federal overreach. These include reinstating “sensitive location” status for hospitals and schools, prohibiting the use of masked agents during local operations, and ending civil offense arrests at courthouses.
The primary objective for the 2026 session is securing municipal aid to restore cities to pre-surge stability. Cities are asking for resources to fix a crisis they did not create but are responsible for repairing.
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About the Coalition: The Cities for Safe and Stable Communities is a nonpartisan group of Minnesota cities dedicated to protecting local economies, public safety, and constitutional rights.
If you need this information in another language or format or disability accommodations, email access@brooklynpark.org or call 763-424-8000.
Si usted necesita esta información en español: 763-424-8000
Yog xav tau kev pab, thov hu rau 763-424-8000 lawv mam li nrhiav ib tus neeg txhais lus rau koj
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