 Fourth of July fireworks are part of Independence Day celebrations, and the noise complaints and safety issues they can generate lead to high call volumes at 911 call centers across the country. That’s why the City wants to make sure people stay safe during fireworks season and know what to do if they have fireworks related complaints.
Instead of calling 911 for Fourth of July noise reports, please make fireworks complaints online. City staff will review the reports during normal business hours.
Visit the City website to learn more about fireworks issues.
Call 911 if
- Someone needs medical attention
- Fireworks are directed at people or property
- Fireworks start a fire or cause smoldering
- Children are using fireworks unsupervised
Use 311 for non-emergencies
Concerned about noise? Report your complaints through
- 311 mobile app
- Text “fireworks” to 311898
- Call from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday
- 311 will have extended hours during the Taste of Minnesota Festival on Saturday, July 5, and Sunday, July 6 from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Know the difference
Do you know when to call 311 and when to call 911? Knowing who to call can help everyone get the right services at the right time. And that makes us safer together.
Neighborhood and Community Relations (NCR) is excited to welcome Shor Salkas as LGBTQIA+ equity program manager.
Shor is an equity practitioner and healing-centered coach with a master’s degree in public health from the University of Minnesota. They are joining NCR after a long career working in equity, community engagement, coaching and capacity building with organizations including the Minnesota Department of Health, the Healthy Wisconsin Leadership Institute, Wisconsin Department of Public Health and the Wisconsin Transgender Health Coalition.
Through activism, organizing, coaching, training and facilitation, they have been working to promote social, racial, disability and gender justice for over 20 years.
In their new role, Shor will ensure that the City of Minneapolis’ policies, practices, procedures and culture welcome and include our LGBTQIA+ residents.
|
This June, the Neighborhood and Community Relations Department of the City of Minneapolis (NCR) welcomed two summer Urban Scholars to the team. Urban Scholars is a summer work and leadership development program for college and graduate students who want to work in the public sector. Learn more about the Urban Scholar program.
Famatta Rogers
Famatta is a recent criminal justice and sociology graduate of the University of Saint Thomas. She is excited to learn more about City policy-making and public participation and brings experience in policy and constituent services to the team. She is joining NCR to work on projects that strengthen the City’s equitable community engagement practices. Outside of school and work Famatta enjoys traveling, dancing and spending time with family and friends.
|
Drea Poole
Drea joins us from the University of Saint Thomas School of Law. As a rising third-year law student, she is interested in working in public service and would like to specialize in employment and labor law. This summer, Drea is supporting the City’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. Outside of work, Drea loves to bike, cross stitch and listen to audiobooks.
|
 You can now register for the 2025 City of Minneapolis Trans Equity Summit on Monday, Aug. 11, at the McNamara Alumni Center. The theme for this year’s event is “Trans Equity and Intergenerational Power: Strengthening the Future by Honoring Our Past.”
The City of Minneapolis and partners are planning the all-day, free event that provides space to connect on social, legal and health issues important to the transgender community.
The summit will include breakout sessions, a job and resource fair and healing justice offerings. Space will be protected for community care and collective witnessing for trans and gender non-conforming neighbors.
Register online at minneapolismn.gov/trans-equity-summit.
Share the event
See updates and announcements in the Trans Equity Summit Facebook event page.
 Minneapolis is a welcoming city. We believe that when everyone feels like they belong, we all benefit. Regardless of immigration status, we want you to feel safe, respected and included.
Find resources to learn your immigration rights and responsibilities from the Office of Immigration & Refugee Affairs. Information includes:
Visit the City website to learn more.
Get important updates at the Twin Cities immigration forum
 The City of Minneapolis Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) in partnership with the City of Saint Paul Immigrant and Refugee Program hosts a biweekly immigration forum to offer immigration-related updates to the community. The next two meetings of the series will be on Thursday, July 10 and 24.
The topics covered include:
- Federal immigration news and resources.
- City, community and advocacy organization updates.
- Other topics important to immigrant, refugee and new American communities.
Find dates on the OIRA events calendar.
Get a link to the meeting series by emailing oira@minneapolismn.gov.
Learn more about the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) at minneapolismn.gov/oira.
Find resources and know your immigration rights information on the City website.
Immigrant and Refugee Affairs community office hours
OIRA hosts community office hours at the South CareerForce Center on 777 E. Lake Street. Stop by on:
- Mondays, 1 – 4 p.m.
- Wednesdays, 2 – 4 p.m.
Check the OIRA events calendar in case of cancellations and holidays.
 Join in a public event honoring 35 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Share your story, enjoy a panel discussion about the impact of the ADA and see the disability pride flag unveiling.
Signed into law July 26, 1990, the ADA is a critical civil rights law for people with disabilities. The law bans discrimination in all aspects of public life. This includes discrimination in City programs, services and buildings.
This anniversary celebration honors the importance of this law and the local leaders who have improved countless lives in and around the city. The City recognizes the important role the ADA plays in making life more accessible for people in Minneapolis.
ADA 35th anniversary celebration
5:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 30
Public Service Building, Room 100 505 Fourth Ave. S.
Get more details and register for this free event on the City website.
If you have questions, email Guthrie Byard, community specialist – people with disabilities or call 612-554-3666.
Updated ADA Action Plan published
You can now read the City of Minneapolis’ updated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Action Plan on the City website.
Read the plan at minneapolismn.gov/ada-plan
The plan details the City’s ADA Title II obligations and offers recommendations to City departments to improve access for people with disabilities.
The City updated its plan after a year-long public engagement process involving surveys, community conversations and public comments. You can read the engagement summary and findings on the ADA Action Plan community engagement webpage.
 The City of Minneapolis shares important news and updates in English, Spanish, Somali, Oromo and Hmong over community radio stations and two television programs.
You can see the upcoming schedule for these shows and find past recordings on the City website.
Minneapolis Police Department policy on immigration enforcement
The Minneapolis Police Department operates under the City’s separation ordinance and does not participate in the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
That means MPD will not:
- Ask about your immigration status
- Detain anyone based on a civil immigration warrant
- Enforce federal immigration law
MPD remains committed to public safety and maintaining trust within our communities. This includes responding to incidents involving property damage, injury, or threats to personal safety.
That means MPD will:
- Respond to 911 calls from the public
- Respond to threats to life or property
- Ensure public safety for protests
- Ensure access for emergency vehicles
Learn more about the separation ordinance.
 The Minneapolis Police Department is dedicated to maintaining your trust and making sure you feel safe in your home and neighborhood. If you’re ever unsure whether someone is a real police officer – whether in a traffic stop or at your door – do not hesitate to call 911. 911 agents can tell you if an officer is there.
How to identify an officer
- Minneapolis police officers will say their name and agency when talking with you.
- Check their uniform and vehicle for badges, patches and insignia that show which agency they represent. A lack of markings may be a warning sign.
- Make sure the agency serves your area. Agencies serving Minneapolis include:
- Minneapolis Police Department
- Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office
- Metro Transit Police
- Minnesota State Patrol
- Always feel free to ask for their name, badge number and agency. Officers will provide this information.
If you didn’t call the police, be extra cautious.
Remember, the MPD is here to help you feel safe. You can call 911 or the non-emergency line at 612-673-5335 any time.
Sign up for emergency alerts from the City of Minneapolis
The City uses Smart911 to send important information to residents during an emergency.
Get alerts
You can choose to receive Smart911 alerts by:
- Text messages
- Emails
- Phone calls
- Push notifications in the Smart911 mobile app
- Wireless emergency alerts*
Alert topics
The City of Minneapolis will use Smart911 to send alerts on topics including:
- Snow emergencies
- Severe weather
- Public safety incidents
- Major infrastructure issues
- Major special event impacts
Find out more and subscribe on the City website.
*Wireless emergency alerts come through the nationwide Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.
New program for treating opioid addiction
A new City opioid treatment program has begun for our community members with opioid use disorder. This pilot offers free prescription injections, treatment, and connections to services and support. That also includes insurance coverage help for longer-term treatment.
Read more about the opioid treatment program on the City website.
Community safety progress in 2025
Office of Community Safety leaders presented a second quarter progress report June 11. The report to a City Council committee highlighted:
- The addition of critical leadership positions.
- Milestones in police and community safety reform.
- Successes in officer and staff recruitment.
Find the report presentation and video on the City website.
 The City of Minneapolis Neighborhood Safety Department announced the launch of the City’s Community Safety Ambassador Pilot program to serve as a new neighborhood resource – directly engaging 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, Community Safety Ambassadors will fill a needed role in the City’s new community safety ecosystem of prevention, response and restoration resources.
Read more and share this article online.
When dangerously high temperatures emerge during summer, City of Minneapolis officials urge you to take steps to protect your family and pets from extreme heat.
Heat-related illness happens when the body can’t cool itself properly. Older adults, small children, people with underlying medical conditions, and pets are at greatest risk.
Learn more about staying cool in extreme heat.
Share multilingual materials
You can download and share heat safety flyers in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong.
Hot weather rule: electricity shut-off protection
Minnesota’s Hot Weather Rule protects residential utility customers from having their electric service shut off on any day that the National Weather Service has declared an excessive heat watch, heat advisory, or excessive heat warning.
Read more about hot weather protection on the State of Minnesota website.
Tips for safe public gatherings and protests
The City of Minneapolis recognizes the constitutional rights of free expression and peaceful assembly of all residents and visitors of Minneapolis.
Public gatherings are an important part of our democracy. It is also important to keep everyone safe and protect our communities. Together, we can help make sure that public gatherings remain safe, while amplifying the voices of our community members.
Peaceful, lawful gathering is encouraged and protected.
Read more about safe gatherings on the City website.
Fourth of July celebration
Celebrate Independence Day with a full day of activities on the Mississippi Riverfront, culminating in a spectacular fireworks show at 10 p.m.
Minneapolis' signature Fourth of July celebration
10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, July 4
Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront: Water Works Park and the Stone Arch Bridge parking lot
Read more about the Fourth of July celebration on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board website.
County, Park and Recreation Board summer event lineups
Hennepin County and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board have announced their 2025 summer event schedules.
Hennepin County’s free, family-friendly events include live music, Pianos on Parade, movie nights at Target Field Station, fitness classes and more. See the entire “Go Outside with Hennepin County” lineup.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board movies in the parks runs through Aug. 30 with 66 free outdoor movie screenings planned. Music in the parks runs through Labor Day with more than 200 free outdoor concerts in eight park venues. Read more about this year’s movies and music in the parks on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board website.
| 
