From Lesley Kandaras, Chief of Staff
In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, police agencies across the country were called to examine how they could maintain and build trust in the communities they serve.
At Metro Transit, Council Chair Charlie Zelle responded by calling for a comprehensive review of the Metro Transit Police Department.
Today, that review is being informed by important, ongoing conversations being led by a group of Metropolitan Council members serving on the Metro Transit Police Work Group. This group has been meeting regularly over the past several months and will bring recommendations to the full board next February.
Central to their work is hearing the experiences and voices of customers and employees.
Earlier this year, community partners collected input from more than 1,000 people who participated in interviews, public meetings and in-person surveys. Through this community engagement process, customers were asked not just how safe they feel on transit, but what safety on transit looks like to them.
People responded that safety is found in clean facilities and vehicles. Safety means riding without experiencing racial profiling and gender-based harassment. Safety means the visible presence of Metro Transit officials who have the authority to help prevent and address problematic behaviors.
In addition to listening to community members, the work group is hearing directly from Metro Transit employees.
They are reviewing feedback gathered this summer from about 100 frontline employees across several in-person visits to facilities and through surveys. They commissioned a survey of Metro Transit Police Department employees to better understand their perspectives. And, earlier this month, work group members heard from a range of employees, including operators, public facilities workers, transit supervisors, police officers, and others.
While this work continues, some themes have emerged.
Employees who need police assistance feel response times can be slow, and that there is too little presence on the system to effectively support them. Police officers are concerned about colleagues leaving the department, as fewer officers make their already-difficult jobs even harder.
Through this process, employees have shared many ideas for improvements, such as reviewing approaches to fare enforcement, providing more security presence on vehicles and at facilities, adding security monitors to buses, and using the Council’s leverage to build regional partnerships to address systemic issues, including people experiencing homelessness, addiction, and mental health crises.
While the work group’s efforts continue, Metro Transit continues to take steps now to meaningfully improve safety on our system.
We’re recruiting more police officers and Community Service Officers. We’re expanding our use of real-time cameras. And we are advocating for a change in state law that would provide an alternative to having police officers issue citations for fare evasion, giving them more time to address other concerns.
These initiatives are key elements of our Strategic Plan and are reflected in our proposed budget for the coming year.
So, thank you to all those who have shared your thoughts with the Council’s work group, to all our officers and police support staff, and to all the employees who know the safety challenges we’re facing firsthand.
And, it’s not too late to share your perspectives. As the staff liaison to this work group, I invite employees who would like their ideas to be shared with Council Members to contact me directly.
While the work group will complete its work early next year, our commitment to listen and respond to your concerns will not end.
Learn more
Share your thoughts
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To offer feedback you’d like shared with the Metro Transit Police Work Group, please email Lesley Kandaras.
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General safety concerns can be shared with members of the Transit Safety & Security Committee.
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Chief nominated to serve as U.S. Marshal
Metro Transit Police Chief Eddie Frizell has been nominated to serve as U.S. marshal for the District of Minnesota. Frizell’s nomination now goes to the U.S. Senate for approval. If approved, a search for a new police chief would begin. Frizell joined Metro Transit in August 2019, following a 26-year career with the Minneapolis Police Department. He is also a 30-year veteran of the Minnesota Army National Guard, and currently holds the rank of Colonel.
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Minnesota's new COVID-19 case counts are among the highest in the nation, prompting a leading public health official to say the state is in the midst of a "COVID blizzard."
All employees can help maintain a safe workplace by staying home if you're ill, getting tested if you're showing symptoms, wearing a mask, and following public health guidance on vaccines and vaccine boosters. Of note:
State public health officials said this week that COVID-19 booster shots will soon be available to all adults.
- Initial and booster Pfizer vaccinations can be scheduled at either of the Council’s Well@Work clinics on Mondays or Thursdays. Schedule an appointment online at healthpartners.com or call 952-967-5474 (St Paul) or 952-967-7468 (Heywood).
Employees who have their proof of COVID-19 vaccination verified by Friday, Nov. 26, will receive $150 on their December 10 paycheck.
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Information should be uploaded using Employee Self Service.
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Please do not attempt to upload booster information into Employee Self-Service (ESS) until further notice.
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To date, nearly 80% of Metro Transit employees have had their proof of vaccination verified.
If you are planning to travel or gather over the coming months, review the Minnesota Department of Health’s testing recommendations.
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Whether or not you’re fully vaccinated, the MDH recommends getting tested 5-7 days after attending any large gathering.
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Free testing can be scheduled at many locations at healthpartners.com.
- Only schedule appointment at a Well@Work Clinic if you are not experiencing symptoms.
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Five new bus operators completed their training last week at the Instruction Center. From left to right, they are: Ben Clark, Chris Fuller, Robert Forte, Delmarcus Joseph and Adrian Larson. Nearly two-dozen individuals are currently training at the Instruction Center as hiring efforts continue. As reminders:
Apply to become a train operator
Bus operators who are interested in transferring to light rail are invited to apply to become a train operator through Monday, Nov. 22. Operators who pass agility testing and an interview will go on an eligibility list according to seniority. Individuals on the eligibility list will be trained as positions open. The position is expected to be re-posted again in December.
To celebrate Employee Recognition Week, operators and other employees were treated to breakfast and lunch at each garage this week. Employees in other departments will be celebrated in the coming weeks.
A program that invites people to partner with Metro Transit to keep stops tidy is being revived.
Through the Adopt-A-Stop program, individuals, businesses, community organizations or schools can volunteer to keep an eye on a bus stop or rail station, reporting damage or snow clearance concerns that need to be addressed.
Adopters can also help by regularly picking up litter at the stop.
Customer Relations, Marketing and Engineering & Facilities teamed up this year to review and update what was formerly known as the Adopt-A-Shelter program. Adopters who wanted to continue were invited to do so, but nearly all stops are available for adoption.
To acknowledge their support, adopters can choose to be recognized through signage at the stop and will receive a Go-To Card that is automatically loaded with 10 fares per month.
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Heywood Operator Timothy Stewlow recently received the following commendation from a Route 10 customer who was struck by a small act of kindness.
I was just at a medical appointment and received devastating news about my health assessment, which includes possible cancer. I’ve been extremely emotional over this. I boarded a bus and discovered I didn’t have a dollar on me, just a debit card. What a great start to the long road ahead of me!! I got up and told the driver I'd have to get off the bus and walk because I didn’t have a dollar to pay for the ride. The driver said it was OK and I felt much relief. Just the smallest act of kindness lifted what felt like a thousand pounds off my chest. I was happy...and just a little hopeful. Thanks, Tim, for your kindness because it was very healing.
 Clockwise from top left: Sam O'Connell, Annette Hammerlund, Baug Vang, William Wood.
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Sam O’Connell will serve as the Council’s director of community outreach, beginning in December. O’Connell has been with Metro Transit for nearly a decade, most recently serving as assistant director of community affairs. In her new role, she will work with Council leadership to expand the Council’s proactive community engagement work.
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Annette Hammerlund will serve as manager of bus safety. Hammerlund joined Metro Transit in 2012 as a bus operator and has served as an assistant transportation manager for the past seven years, most recently at the East Metro Garage. She is a two-time Bus Roadeo Garage Champion. Before joining Metro Transit, Hammerlund served as a school bus driver and ran a charter bus company for 13 years.
Welcome to these new hires
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Baug Vang, stockkeeper. Before coming to Metro Transit, Vang spent multiple years at Appleton Manufacturing as the shipping manager. He is an avid fisherman on both thawed and frozen lakes. Vang also enjoys building gaming computers.
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William Wood, facilities technician. Wood has worked in maintenance operations for more than 20 years, most recently for Minneapolis Public Schools, where he administrated the safety programs and trainings for employees. Wood is a father of two sons and is currently finishing his bachelor’s degree.
Council employees collectively pledged and contributed more than $52,000 through the Charitable Giving Campaign. In addition, more than 2,500 pounds of food were collected and distributed to area food shelves. Thank you to all those who donated!
Clockwise from left: Donations being organized at the Heywood Garage; Jim Perron, assistant manger-rail transportation, who won a candy jar guess by guessing the exact number of pieces; and staff from Intersection, Metro Transit’s contracted advertising partner, who donated to the food drive.
Lives: Minneapolis
Years of service: Eight
How did you come to work at Metro Transit and what do you do?
I came to Metro Transit in 2013, after 14 years with a Twin Cities bank. I was burned out and wanted to have more time to help my daughter with Irish dancing. I became a bus operator because I was interested in driving and knew the cities well. I was a part-time operator for five years. At that point, my daughter graduated from high school and I was looking for something different. I became a train operator for a year before returning to bus. In October, I became a rail transit supervisor. At the bank, I worked in and supported their security-control center, so I had a background in supervision and control center operations.
What do you like the most about being “On the Clock?”
I enjoy being out and about in the city and seeing people. What I look forward to in my new position is keeping the trains moving and solving problems. I think most people are very helpful if you ask questions. The support people give you here is much better than my previous job.
What are your favorite activities when you’re “Off the Clock?”
My wife and I have three Maine coon cats, which are very large. The furniture you can buy isn’t big or strong enough to support them so I started making my own. We have floating shelves in our living room and have turned our house into sort of a cat jungle gym. Our smallest cat Aayla is just over 13 pounds, and our largest Rufus (pictured) is just over 20 pounds. The third one is Soka. I’ve built a few pieces of cat furniture for my daughter but mostly I build the cat furniture for our use at home.
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Buses and light rail trains will run on holiday schedules on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 25, and reduced service schedules will be in effect the following day.
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The front desk at the Metro Transit Police & Office Facility will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and on Friday, Nov. 26.
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The TIC, Service Centers and Customer Relations will be closed on Thanksgiving Day; the TIC and Customer Relations will be open on Friday, Nov. 26, and the Service Centers will be closed on that day.
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Insights will not be published on Friday, Nov. 26, due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
METRO Orange Line: The METRO Orange Line, opens on Saturday, Dec. 4, just two weeks from today. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., food and festivities will be offered at the I-35W & Lake Street Station and at Nicollet Commons, near the Burnsville Heart of the City Station. Short programs at each location are also planned. Eligible staff are invited to serve as ambassadors on opening day, Sunday, Dec. 5, and Monday, Dec. 6. Sign up here. For more information, contact Pam Steffen. Fares will not be charged on the Orange Line from December 4 through December 6.
Equity & Inclusion: The Equity & Inclusion Team is recruiting new members from the Metro Transit Police Department, rail and several garages. Learn more and apply here. Applications are due by Tuesday, Nov. 30. Feedback on a draft transit equity statement and key definitions is being accepted now. Review and offer feedback here.
Native American Heritage Month: Staff is invited to attend an online event featuring Native American Poet Marcie Rendon at noon on Monday, Nov. 29, in honor of Native American Heritage Month. Rendon, featured on the Poet Laureates Living Nations, Living Words project, will share some of her work and speak about the role of poetry in Native American Culture. Watch for an invite soon. For more information, contact Sarah Berres.
Potter trial: A working group is assembling to ensure detour, communication and contingency plans are prepared ahead of the trail of former Brooklyn Center Police Officer Kimberly Potter. The trial is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Nov. 30, at the Hennepin County Courthouse (Government Center).
Manager’s Meeting: All employees are invited to watch the latest recording of the Metro Transit Manager’s Meeting, available here. Topics covered at the latest meeting included riders, the Great Place to Work Project, and Creative Services.
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