City of Minneapolis sent this bulletin at 01/12/2025 12:54 PM CST
Council Member Linea Palmisano
January 12, 2025
This past Monday was an important marker in transforming the policing part of public safety in our city.
After a deep investigation into historical Minneapolis Police Department patterns and practices, the City and the US Department of Justice have brought about an agreement to foster trust between the city and its residents with our police.
There are many things in this agreement that we’ve already been working on, some more recently and some for a long time, and some have been part of another agreement we have with the state. Importantly, this is set up for a third party, independent monitor to measure our progress on these initiatives over time. I look forward to speaking more with people that might want to discuss this at my office hours this week, or really any time as I avail myself to individual meetings with constituents as well.
Initially, here are a few of the things that stick out as features to me.
First and foremost, there are important sections that talk about better responding to people with behavioral health issues, disabilities, and children.
This agreement has important new Community Engagement provisions to both get feedback from and inform residents about the steps being taken. This agreement requires data collection in more ways, for example requiring the department to clearly explain how traffic stops are advancing the public’s safety and ensure they are doing the least intrusive response. This will require not just new data, but also new systems to better evaluate the data we already collect to ensure we are not being discriminatory, and that we are able to identify issues and give corrective support to responders. One way to achieve this is through an important, though aspirational measure, which is unity of command. This means that the supervisors of police will essentially work the same schedules as their subordinates. I say “aspirational” because the reality of today is that at least one third of all shifts are needing to be filled with police overtime, though our staffing numbers are improving.
There are also some unique requirements related to coordination with organizers of protests, and the protection of journalists working to inform the public, as well those who are present to witness or record law enforcement activities. An important requirement in here is to better coordinate across jurisdictions and that is something I’ve been advocating for since I first took office.
Field training of new hires will continue in a way that MPD has already been changing, with new requirements that we’ve wanted for awhile. A challenge to doing this well is to have enough trainers- we will have a lot of people to train, and that is a good thing.
Something I’ve been working on for several years is the prioritization of a training facility and other police facility updates- these will need to be prioritized in this consent decree. I’d hoped to get funding toward these things with the help of the federal government. That may or may no longer be the case, but it will take partnerships from many different places.
I am very motivated to have all of this transformation of policing in one place, tracked by an independent monitor, and something that will guide our work and move our city forward. This was truly a collaborative effort in every way.
The Justice Department will hold an online community meeting Jan. 14. Members of the public are encouraged to attend to learn more about the consent decree.
Stop by 13th Ward Office Hours! The City Budget and recently approved Department of Justice consent decree are on my mind, but I'd like to know what's on yours.
13th Ward Office Hours Friday, January 17 from 9:15-10:30 AM Gigi's Cafe - 824 W 36th St.
13th Ward Neighborhood Safety Walk Minnehaha Parkway - Humboldt to Lyndale Ave. S. Thursday, January 16 | 7:00-8:30 PM Meet at Lynnhurst Rec Center
Thanks to all the 13th Ward neighbors who came out for the very first Safety Walk around Lake Harriet. We had a great turnout , including 5th Precinct Inspector Christie Nelson! These walks help with city safety plans, build community, and are quite enjoyable. In 2025, my goal is to foster walk groups each neighborhood. Let me know if you'd like to start one in your neighborhood!
As I've shared in previous newsletters, copper wire theft continues to impact parkway lights in the 13th Ward along Lake Harriet Parkway, Kings Highway/Dupont Avenue, and Minnehaha Parkway. I am in conversation with Public Works, and they continue to explore possibilities for repair in the area, though weather/freezing temperatures must be considered.
More recently, copper wire theft has caused CenturyLink landline outages across the metro area. This has resulted in extensive damage and has severely hampered CenturyLink's ability to restore service. Repair of major copper cables takes longer since these kinds of cables are not readily available. Additionally, much like the parkway lights, CenturyLink has repaired service only to be a victim of copper theft again in the same location.
Please reach out to my office if you are without landline service and need support transferring to an alternative provider, either for the duration of the outage or permanently.
CenturyLink and the City ask that whenever someone sees suspicious activity at unusual times around a manhole, telephone pole, or light pole, they call their local law enforcement agency.
In 2025, commit to becoming an All Seasons Lifesaver, donating at least once per season – your donations can make a real difference in someone’s life. If you’re not eligible, you can still help by sharing the message and recruiting friends or family to donate on your behalf.
Memorial Blood Centers has donor centers and blood drive locations all across the region, including an upcoming drive here in the 13th Ward at Wooden Ship Brewery on Wednesday, January 29. To learn more about donating or to make an appointment at the donation location nearest you, visit mbc.org.
Together, we can end the blood shortage and save lives.
One of the best parts of my job is getting to meet with my constituents, learn more about you and hear your questions, concerns, hopes and dreams for our shared community.
If you'd like to schedule a time to meet with me, send me an e-mailand my staff will help get it scheduled. Please let me know what you'd like to talk about and a convenient place to meet—a coffee shop, a park, your home, my office, etc. I try to reserve Fridays for constituent meetings, but can work them in other times, as necessary, too.
We've moved while work is being done in City Hall. Our office is in:
Room 100, Public Service Center 250 South 4th St. Get directions
For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact 311. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users call 612-263-6850. Para ayuda, llame al 311. Rau kev pab, hu 311. Hadii aad caawimaad u baahantahay, wac 311.
