 Office of Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette
To our City of Minneapolis residents and neighbors,
We welcome you to the Office of Community Safety (OCS) Dispatch, a new bi-weekly newsletter where you will find updates, news and events from OCS and its departments, 911, Emergency Management, Minneapolis Fire, Minneapolis Police, and Neighborhood Safety.
Although OCS as an office is relatively new, the work of our first responders is not. The approach to increasing community safety that OCS has undertaken is one that is coordinated, comprehensive, and equitable for all of Minneapolis. One that fosters trust, understanding and collaboration among all communities across the city.
We invite you to engage with us as we work to rebuild and refine the city's safety responses and resources that equitably meets the needs of our community at large. This newsletter will serve as a resource to inform you about the work within OCS as we advance our efforts to reimagine community safety. By creating an ecosystem of preventative, responsive, and restorative services that work hand-in-hand, we can reach our ultimate goal to create a Safer Minneapolis where all residents can thrive.
 Rachel Sayre speaks at the public hearing at the Minneapolis Public Health and Safety Committee meeting on Sept. 11, which is part of her confirmation process as Minneapolis Emergency Management Director.
Rachel Sayre is one step closer to becoming the City’s new Emergency Management Department (EMD) Director. Her nomination moved through the Public Health and Safety Committee meeting held Sept. 11, and the City Council will vote on her confirmation to the position in the coming weeks. Sayre was nominated for the position by Mayor Jacob Frey, in consultation with Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette.
Since 2015, Sayre has worked for the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance where she most recently served as a Senior Humanitarian Advisor, mentoring and training incoming leaders on disaster response and team leadership. Sayre has also led USAID international disaster risk reduction efforts and humanitarian aid responses in dozens of countries, including war and disaster zones in Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, and Haiti. In addition, she was the Senior Advisor to USAID’s Administrator in 2014-2015, where one of her many accomplishments included overseeing efforts combatting the international Ebola epidemic.
The EMD, one of five departments in the Office of Community Safety, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding communities by preparing for potential disasters, effectively managing responses, supporting recovery efforts, and reducing future risks. This is done through a structured approach to handling the various crises a city can face. Sayre is well versed in this area, having previously served in multiple leadership roles in responding to humanitarian disasters worldwide. She has qualified as an ICS equivalent Response Leader for a system similar to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System structure which the City has been further evolving for its own capabilities.
Sayre would be replacing Barrett Lane, who left the City last October for a position with the Metropolitan Airports Commission. EMD Deputy Director Bryan Gorman has been leading the department in the interim.
 Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt (3rd from left) and members of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office celebrate their Battle of the Badges win on Sept. 7.
The 8th annual Battle of the Badges BBQ competition returned on Saturday, Sept. 7, as teams of Minneapolis' first responders hosted the family-friendly community event at North Commons Park in North Minneapolis. The culinary showdown saw some heated competition as Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minneapolis Police, Minneapolis Fire and Minneapolis Park Police faced off to earn the title of best BBQ in the city.
As law enforcement and emergency services professionals grilled their BBQ ribs for the competition, children and families were able to enjoy food, activities and entertainment, as well as participate in raffle drawings and explore resources. Congratulations to the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office who took home the 2024 trophy this year!
View more photos on the Minneapolis Police Department Facebook page.
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 Sixteen Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) officers received promotions on Aug. 29 at a ceremony held at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in North Minneapolis. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara led the ceremony and congratulated the newly promoted sergeants and lieutenants of the department, recognizing their achievement and the importance of leading by example.
"Your positions come with great authority, and an undeniable power over the culture of our agency," O'Hara said. “Cultivating that culture starts with me, and it belongs to everyone in the agency to do their part. But it’s success hinges on you, the supervisors who touch every corner of the department."
O'Hara praised the new leaders and acknowledged their commitments to ensuring safety and rebuilding the policing culture in MPD. City of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Commissioner of Community Safety Toddrick Barnette were present at the ceremony to personally congratulate those being promoted.
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Officers promoted to sergeant:
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Officers promoted to Lieutenant:
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Nicholas Anderson
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KeHeung Anderson
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Andrew Carigiet
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John Haugland
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Ryan Davis
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Adam Lepinski
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Kabakas Clark
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Renee Lewis
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William Martin
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Elizabeth Mota
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Anthony Rodin
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Justin Reisdorfer
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John Wittrock
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Bryce Robinson
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Sherral Schmidt
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Curtis Schoonover
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 The Minneapolis Fire Explorers fielded two teams in the Fire Fighting Exploring Competition on Governor’s Fire Prevention Day, Aug. 23, at the Minnesota State Fair. A total of 13 Explorer posts from around the state engaged in a series of difficult firefighter skills challenges, including ladder raise, gear donning, search and rescue, CPR, spinal immobilization, and a firefighter relay. The Minneapolis Fire and Emergency Services Explorer program allows students to learn and engage in hands-on training alongside firefighter and EMT professionals. The program focuses on leadership development, career exploration and training. Learn more on the Minneapolis Fire Explorers webpage.
Lake Street Safety Center
The lease for the Lake Street Safety Center building, located at 2228 East Lake Street, has been signed and finalized. The demolition for the safety center is complete, and the construction, design and build-out process will begin soon. The Office of Community Safety (OCS) staff are working with city departments on design, furniture, and technology related needs. Customer service representatives for the center have been hired and have started their training. The center is projected to open in November 2024.
South Minneapolis Community Safety Center
OCS and a committee of City department leaders have completed the review of Request for Information (RFI) responses from social service providers. From July 22 to Aug. 9, OCS opened an RFI process, gathering input from service providers on how their organization would operate in the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center. The information collected helps OCS to identify service delivery, space, and design costs in the safety center.
OCS is drafting a Request for Proposals (RFP) document to gather proposals from organizations on the following topics: culturally specific navigators, domestic violence-related services, mental health, services for victims of human trafficking, and youth services. More information about the RFPs will be provided in the coming weeks.
More information:
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The Police Community Relations Council (PCRC) and Unity Community Mediation Team (UCMT) are hosting a community conversation event on Tuesday, Sept. 17 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Minneapolis American Indian Center, 1530 East Franklin Avenue. Join the conversation to hear more about the latest progress in transforming Minneapolis: Learn more about where we are today, what's on the horizon and how your voice can contribute to shaping the future of our community.
Community members are invited to bring their questions, comments and feedback. Click to view the full event flyer.
Speakers include:
- Co-Chairs PCRC MPD Chief Brian O’Hara and UCMT Reverend Ian D. Bethel
- David Douglass, Effective Law Enforcement for All – President
- Todd Barnette, City of Minneapolis Commissioner of Community Safety
- Michelle Phillips, City of Minneapolis – Director of the Civil Rights Department
- AJ Flowers and Miles Wilson, Young People’s Task Force Leadership
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Talk to your family today about how to prepare for a potential emergency
Talking about bad things that could happen, like a disaster or emergency, isn’t always easy. You might think you’re protecting the people you love by avoiding these conversations, but they are important to start taking steps to get ready and stay safe.
September marks National Preparedness Month, the annual campaign to remind everyone that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them, their families and their communities safe.
Find information and tips on how to protect yourself and your family before, during and after emergencies and disasters by visiting the Ready.gov website. Information to help you prepare for hazards like floods, extreme weather, wildfires, among other emergencies, is available in several languages. The page also features information about emergency alerts, how to make an emergency plan and more.
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Learn the basics of emergency preparedness at Ready Camp, hosted by the City of Minneapolis' Emergency Management department, on Oct. 22 and 23. The free two-day training at Minneapolis Central Library will provide you knowledge and skills to build an emergency kit, develop a communication plan, prepare for severe weather emergencies and recovery from an emergency or disaster.
All ages are welcome. Children who are 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is now available on the Eventbrite website. Class capacity is 50 people. View the Ready Camp flyer for additional information.
Questions about Ready Camp can be directed to LaVina Branscomb, Emergency Management communication and outreach coordinator, at lavina.branscomb@minneapolismn.gov.
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OCS In the News
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