National Night Out: August 4

National Night Out will be on August 4 this year. It's never too early to register your NNO event and apply to close your street! If you register by July 21 you can block your street FOR FREE. If you register from July 22 through July 29, there is a $100 fee. You will not be able to block off your street if registering after July 29. Visit this website to register quickly online.

How Well Do You Know Crosswalk Law?

Minnesota law requires drivers to stop for pedestrians AT EVERY CORNER--whether there's a crosswalk or not! If you see someone waiting on a corner for traffic to clear so that they can cross, please do the lawful and respectful thing: stop and let them cross. Model good driving behavior and let others know that they should do the same!

Here's a crosswalk law refresher:

• When a vehicle is stopped at an intersection to allow pedestrians to cross the roadway, drivers of other vehicles approaching from the rear must not pass the stopped vehicle.
• Vehicles stopped for pedestrians can proceed once the pedestrian has completely crossed the lane in front of the stopped vehicle.
• Pedestrians must not enter a crosswalk if a vehicle is approaching and it is impossible for the driver to stop. There is no defined distance that a pedestrian must abide by before entering the crosswalk; use common sense.
• Failure to obey the law is a misdemeanor. A second violation within one year is a gross misdemeanor.

June 5-7 Events: Edina Art Fair and Open Streets Lyndale

There will be some big events this weekend on the boundaries of the 13th Ward--plan accordingly! The 49th Annual Edina Art Fair runs from June 5 through 7 in the vicinity of 50th & France. On June 7 from 11-5 Open Streets Lyndale will take place from 22nd to 42nd Streets. Both events are free, and you can ride to Open Streets for free on Metro Transit! Come out and experience these neighborhoods in a whole new way.

Grocery Cooperative Study Session Recap

1st Ward Council Member Kevin Reich recently hosted a conversation about grocery cooperatives and their role in the Twin Cities’ marketplace. Kevin Edberg, the Executive Director of St. Paul-based Cooperative Development Services, and representatives from six local grocery cooperatives joined community members for an in-depth panel discussion about the challenges that face co-op grocers in this competitive market, as well as promising opportunities.

I was thrilled to be part of this conversation, and I thank Luke Schell from the 13th Ward's Linden Hills Co-Op from participating. While each representative detailed various aspects of the grocery cooperative picture, Luke outlined some of the opportunities Linden Hills Co-Op is exploring, including making the store a compelling social experience.

Be a Good Neighbor When Having a Backyard Fire

It’s OK to have a recreational fire in the backyard of your home, provided you follow the City’s rules. Stay safe and be a good neighbor by remembering these laws:

• Postpone a fire when wind speeds exceed 10 mph or when Minneapolis is under an air pollution advisory or alert. Fires release fine particles that contribute to air pollution and are implicated in a number of health problems, including strokes, heart attacks and asthma. You can sign up for air quality alerts online.
• Burn only untreated, unpainted, dry wood. Never burn cardboard boxes, trash or debris, because the smoke can be toxic.
• Outdoor fires are allowed between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m.
• Keep fires small (less than three feet in diameter and two feet high), at least 25 feet away from a structure or combustible material, and in a fire ring or pit with edges more than six inches high.

Progress in Ending Sex Trafficking

For the last year, I've been part of the Juvenile Sex Trafficking Work Group. Sex trafficking is a real problem in Minneapolis, and the group has leaders from City Council, the City Attorney's office, the Police Department, Business Licensing, Regulatory Services and Hennepin County helping to address this issue from all angles.

Thanks to the work of our Intergovernmental Relations department, Minneapolis successfully lobbied for a new state law making it a felony to solicit any person who the defendant “reasonably believes” to be under the age of 18 for prostitution. It was signed into law by Governor Dayton on May 22, and takes effect on August 1, 2015.

The new law is punishable by up to five years in prison. Under current law, soliciting those 16 or 17 years of age to engage in prostitution is only a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor crime, carrying a maximum sentence of 90 days or one year, respectively.

The new law also allows law enforcement to conduct sting operations using adult police investigators to pose as underage victims through on-line ads, text messages and the like. Prior law did not include this type of provision, making it very difficult to prosecute police sting cases, at least in those cases where the offender thought the victim was older than 15.

This law came about as a result of a question City Attorney Susan Segal asked to Sgt. Grant Snyder, the City’s lead investigator for juvenile sex trafficking cases, about additional tools needed by law enforcement to help combat the fight against sex trafficking. Underscoring the importance of deterring demand as a key component of preventing trafficking of juveniles, Snyder pointed to the need to have a felony-level crime for soliciting kids under the age of 18 for prostitution.

Great Finds at Police Auctions

Need a bike? Shop this year’s police auctions to find bicycles, jewelry and more. A list of items being auctioned and some photos will be posted to the Minnesota Auction Advantage website 2-5 days before the auction. While auctions begin promptly at 6 p.m., you may inspect items in person beginning at 4 p.m. Bring your photo ID to register. All auctions are held at the Minneapolis Police Warehouse, 6024 Harriet Ave. S.

Schedule of 2015 police auctions:

• June 11: Bicycle auction
• Aug. 6: Bicycle auction
• Aug. 13: Jewelry auction
• Oct. 1: Bicycle auction
• Oct. 8: General auction

If you have questions, please call the auction hotline at 612-673-2932.

License Your Pets

Remember: all dogs and cats in Minneapolis over 4 months of age (as well as all ferrets and rabbits) are required to be licensed. When a pet is lost and is brought to the animal shelter, 98% of pets go home alive because of identification through the license tag! More information is available on the Minneapolis Animal Care & Control website. Please consider helping Minneapolis' lost animals by requesting a handsome lawn sign. It's free and easy. Simply email your name and address to pet.licensing@minneapolismn.gov and MACC will get you a sign for display in your yard. MACC's website also has information about adopting animals, as well as what to do about dangerous animals. Plus, see details about 2 outdoor dog runs under construction to provide exercise to dogs awaiting adoption. Construction began in May on this exciting project (funded completely by community donations!), and the ribbon cutting is planned for June 20.

Cool Off at Minneapolis Park Pools

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has 63 wading pools, 12 beaches (with lifeguards on duty at 9 locations), and 2 water parks. Additionally, Webber Park Natural Swimming Pool is scheduled to open this summer.

Most wading pools are now open. Lupient Waterpark opens June 13 and beach lifeguards will be on duty June 13. See all the summer's water activities here.

For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact (add your information here including: department, contact person, phone and email). People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 agents at 612-673-3000. TTY users can call 612-673-2157 or 612-673-2626.

Para asistencia 612-673-2700 •  Rau kev pab 612-673-2800 • Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 612-673-3500.