 The City of Minneapolis Neighborhood Safety Department launched the Community Safety Ambassador pilot program to serve as a new neighborhood resource. Safety ambassadors directly engage with area residents, visitors and business owners within the E. Lake Street and E. Franklin Avenue cultural districts. Inspired by a similar program based in downtown Minneapolis, they will fill a needed role in the City’s new community safety ecosystem of prevention, response and restoration services.
As they walk the streets wearing easily recognizable blue shirts, the community safety ambassadors are an approachable and welcoming presence along the corridors. They serve as a bridge to connect, inform, and have the capability to assist with safety concerns or other issues. They will also offer outreach to address quality-of-life concerns, report hazards and emergencies to City contacts, as well as share information with community members about special events, businesses, and services found in the area.
In the coming weeks, residents and business owners will be able to request services by calling or emailing the Community Safety Ambassador dispatch center for a more directed and immediate response to address issues, including safety concerns.
“The community safety ambassadors are one of the first pilots managed by NSD as we find innovative ways to build out our community safety ecosystem,” said Minneapolis Neighborhood Safety Department (NSD) Director Amanda Harrington. “This service will increase safety through relationship building, space activation, and outreach. They will also practice the kind of collaboration recommended by the Safe and Thriving Communities Report.”
Safety ambassadors will collaborate with local businesses, schools, Hennepin County, local police, and other organizations providing safety services. Read more about the new pilot on the City's website.
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 It's been one year since Minneapolis police officer Jamal Mitchell was killed in the line of duty. Mitchell raced to help a man in the Whittier neighborhood, not knowing the armed man he approached had just killed two people.
Mitchell was a son, brother, father, fiancé and friend. The 36-year-old had only been with the department for a year and a half, but the impact he made will last a lifetime. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Brian O'Hara honored Mitchell at an annual service of remembrance last week.
The loss of officer Mitchell is still being felt in Minneapolis. "The weight of that loss is immense; the grief is deep," O'Hara said. With his fiancé and kids in attendance, Mitchell's sacrifice was honored in a special ceremony.
Watch the news coverage
2025 marks the fourth year of the summer saturation, which police say targets a small number of individuals who are responsible for a large percentage of crime.
 Temps are heating up, the school year is winding down, and there is little doubt that summer is on the horizon. In Minneapolis, there is another sign - the launch of "Operation Safe Summer 2025," a multi-agency saturation targeting guns, drugs and the crime that accompanies them. Minneapolis police say the week-long program, which runs through Saturday night after bar closing, zeros in on a small number of offenders who are responsible for a disproportionately large percentage of illegal activity in the city.
During a June 4 press conference announcing the official 2025 launch, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara described the operation as "a week-long, full-court press" on criminals who are making the community unsafe. As in past years, MPD officers will partner with colleagues from other local, county and state agencies, like the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Minneapolis Park Police, Metro Transit Police and the Minnesota State Patrol.
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 Eighteen new Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) providers were recognized for their commitment to the community at a graduation ceremony on May 30. The group successfully completed the EMS Pathways Academy – a partnership between the Minneapolis Fire Department and Hennepin EMS – and received national EMT certification.
“I can tell you that the young men and women who are graduating today went through an incredible 12 weeks of learning,” said Minneapolis Fire Chief Bryan Tyner. “EMS is probably one of the hardest subjects that I have encountered. And, you guys have done an incredible job of getting to this point.”
“To serve, to protect, to step up when a community member’s in need,” said graduate Connie Brownotter. “That spirit lives on in each of us. And it's the same spirit that called many of us to this field of work.”
Another graduate, Kevin Boodoo, spoke of how many trained each day while also juggling other needs.
“Today's a milestone we've earned through long hours, sacrifice, and dedication,” he said. “Each of us had to balance something, whether it was, another job, our families, or even finishing up the college credits. It's shown me what it truly means to be part of a team and to serve a community.
The EMS Pathways Academy accepts applications from Minneapolis residents who are at least 18-years of age, have a high school diploma or GED, and are authorized to work in the United States. It is a 12-week program, during which students are paid bi-weekly at $17.05 per hour.
For more information on the Academy, visit the City's website.
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 CPR Awareness Week takes place June 1-7, 2025. Knowing CPR can help save a life in minutes. Check out this video to make sure you are ready in an emergency situation: YouTube video: Every. Second. Counts. Learn CPR to Save Lives.
 Safety-related nonprofit organizations, businesses, or government agencies are encouraged to join the upcoming Safety Service Provider Convening on Wednesday, June 11 from 9-11 a.m at the NorthPoint Conference Center.
Safety service provider convenings are quarterly meetings. They bring together organizations who help keep Minneapolis safe. These meetings support the community safety ecosystem by helping to build a strong network of groups and services. Our goal is to work better together to prevent violence and crime.
They provide a chance to:
- Build relationships and share ideas
- Discuss important safety topics
- Meet with local leaders
- Find ways to collaborate
Safety Service Provider Convening
9-11 a.m.
Wednesday, June 11
NorthPoint Conference Center, 1256 Penn Avenue North, Suite 5200
Learn more about the convenings on the City website. You can click here to sign up.
What can the safety center do for you? Whether you're a resident or worker or connected to a local business, learn about what the Lake Street Safety Center offers Tuesday, June 10. Meet the community service providers who work out of the center. Learn about the helpful services and resources available – right here in the East Lake Street neighborhood.
At the center
The Lake Steet Safety Center serves as a collaborative space of government and community-based services and resources. It offers services including:
- K-12 school enrollment and education-related resources.
- Resources for victims or survivors of crimes.
- Help with safety concerns or resolving conflicts.
- Housing services, like rental help or rapid rehousing.
- Support recovering from substance use disorder.
- Resources for the area’s businesses and property owners, like help with graffiti issues, lighting concerns, and registering security cameras.
- Connecting to social services and case managers.
- Free naloxone and fentanyl test strips are always available at the safety center – no questions asked. Pick up these resources to protect yourself and others.
We’ll have tables set up outside the center so you can stop by, ask questions, and find out how to connect with these services during regular office hours.
At the open house
- Learn how you can file non-emergency police reports at the center.
- Find out more about the City’s brand new Community Safety Ambassador pilot program in the Lake Street area.
- Learn about other walk-in support services and readily available resources at the center.
Lake Street Safety Center open house
3-6 p.m.
Tuesday, June 10
2228 E. Lake St.
Flyers are available in English, Español and Af-Soomaali.
Learn more about the Lake Street Safety Center on the City’s website.
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The Lake Street Safety Center now offers a new service. Residents and community members can file a non-emergency police report in person.
City staff are available to help file report incidents including:
- Theft
- Lost property
- Damage to property
You can file reports in person until one hour before the safety center closes. You can also file non-emergency reports by calling 311 or filling out a form online.
Learn more about the services and resources at the safety center on the City’s website.
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