 Minneapolis 911 is extending a heartfelt thank you to residents and visitors for helping reduce the number of 911 calls the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Minneapolis 911 received 800 fewer calls than during the same period last year - a significant drop that reflects a shared commitment to community safety.
Notably, fireworks-related complaints were down by 20 percent, signaling a positive shift toward safer and more respectful celebrations across the city.
This improvement didn’t happen by chance. It’s a result of residents making thoughtful decisions, reporting appropriately, and helping reduce strain on emergency resources.
As always, we remind everyone to use 911 for life-threatening emergencies and to call 311 for non-urgent issues, such as noise complaints or city service questions. This helps ensure that emergency responders can focus on the most critical calls when every second counts. Together, we’re building a stronger, more responsive community safety system - and it starts with each of us.
A safer July 4 holiday weekend
In the days leading up to the Fourth of July holiday, the City of Minneapolis held a multi-agency news conference to deliver a clear and unified message: Keep safety at the center of your celebration.
Representatives from the Minneapolis Police and Fire Departments, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol, Minneapolis Park Board, and others joined City leaders to offer critical reminders on fireworks safety, water safety, impaired driving, and the importance of using 911 only for true emergencies.
Watch highlights from the July 2 press conference on the City's YouTube channel.
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 Left photo: Officer of the Year, Sergeant Mukhtar Abdulkadir. Right photo: Community Hero of the Year, Commander Abdirahman Ali
We’re proud to celebrate two exceptional members of the Minneapolis Police Department who were recently honored for their leadership, service, and connection to the community.
At this year’s Somali-American Festival on Lake Street, the organization, People In Action, on behalf of the Somali community of Minnesota, presented the following awards:
- Officer of the Year: Sergeant Mukhtar Abdulkadir
- Community Hero of the Year: Commander Abdirahman Ali
Both honorees are widely respected not only for their work in law enforcement, but for the trust, compassion, and cultural understanding they bring to their roles. These recognitions are a powerful reflection of what it means to serve with integrity and heart.
It's already been a hot summer, with several days of extreme heat in the city. Extreme heat occurs when the weather is much hotter and/or humid than we typically see for that time of year. Remember to:
- Drink more water. Drinking fluids helps the body regulate its temperature.
- Never leave any person or animal in a parked vehicle.
- Wear light colored, lightweight, loose-fitted clothing.
- Take an air conditioning break. Find cooling options in Hennepin County.
Download our flyers to be safe during hot weather
You can also check out another resource, the MDH 'Know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness' flyer.
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 Always stay weather-aware: Sign up for Minneapolis alerts
Severe weather can happen quickly. Make sure you’re prepared by staying connected to alerts and knowing what to do when warnings are issued.
Stay ready by:
Remember, if you hear outdoor warning sirens:
- Take shelter immediately
- Sirens may mean tornadoes, severe winds, or large hail
- Stay inside and stay informed. If sirens stop, it does not mean it is safe yet.
 Minneapolis is launching its first traffic safety camera pilot to reduce speeding and improve safety. The traffic camera safety pilot program is a key part of the City’s Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic deaths and severe injuries on Minneapolis streets, while pursuing a future where everyone can move safely, efficiently, and equitably through our streets and neighborhoods. Five cameras will be installed this fall.
Camera locations:
- 3rd St. N near 1st Ave N. in Downtown
- Fremont Ave N near W. Broadway Ave in Near North
- 18th Ave NE near Central Ave NE in Northeast
- Chicago Ave near Franklin Ave E in Ventura Village
- Nicollet Ave near 46th St. W in King Field/ Tangletown
A Minneapolis traffic control agent will verify all potential violations and issue a warning or citation as appropriate. Cameras only capture the back of vehicles and are used strictly for traffic enforcement. Read the full story on the City's website.
 The Minneapolis Police Canine (K9) Unit returned with a remarkable set of accomplishments from the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) Region 12 Patrol Dog Trials in Winona. All 10 MPD K9 teams successfully qualified to advance and compete at the national level. Several teams earned top awards in multiple categories, showcasing the strength and skill of Minneapolis’ K9 program.
Awards included:
- 1st Place Overall Individual
- 4th Place Overall Top Overall Region Team
- Top Overall Department Team
- 1st Place Evidence Recovery
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place in Obedience
- 2nd Place Suspect Search
This success is a reflection of the dedication and leadership of the unit’s head trainer, Joe Fuller, and assistant trainer, Donnell Crayton, whose high-level training approach continues to elevate the team’s performance in the field and competition. The City of Minneapolis is proud of the MPD K9 Unit for its outstanding achievements and continued commitment to excellence in service.
 There's still time to register your event for the 2025 National Night Out on Aug. 5! National Night Out is a time for City residents to come together and celebrate with neighbors. Many blocks in Minneapolis take this opportunity to reconnect, eat and build relationships while kids play and bike freely in the closed street.
Tips for registration
- Discuss with your neighbors and include them in your organizing efforts.
- Register only one event per block (appoint one neighbor to register).
- Consider whether you want your street blocked off to traffic.
- Checking the box for 75 percent approval is fine if you plan to notify every household of the event.
- Call 311 to request a fire truck, MPD K9, and/or MPD Mounted Patrol.
- Confirmation emails are sent on Mondays. The confirmation will include the NNO pop-up calendar for picking up caution tape and other supplies for your event.
Read more about National Night Out and register your block’s event by July 29.
 The City of Minneapolis recently installed its second free NARCAN® vending machine at Fire Station 14 in North Minneapolis, building on the success of the first machine launched last year at Fire Station 21. Together, these machines have distributed more than 2,200 boxes of the overdose-reversal medication, helping save lives and connect people to recovery.
Available 24/7 with no questions asked, the machines are part of the City’s broader opioid response efforts led by the Minneapolis Health Department, in partnership with the Fire Department and other city agencies.
“Our community fire stations have always been places where people can seek help without judgment,” said Chief Bryan Tyner of the Minneapolis Fire Department. “We are proud to host the city’s first two NARCAN vending machines in neighborhoods where this life-saving resource is needed. NARCAN offers individuals struggling a second chance at life and a path toward recovery when they’re ready. If you’re struggling, remember, you matter, and we’re here to help.”
Read the full story on our website.
Minneapolis Civil Rights Director Michelle Phillips will step down in mid-August to take on a new leadership role as Assistant City Administrator for the City of Oakland, California. Deputy Director Kaela McConnon Diarra will serve as interim director while a nationwide search for a permanent successor is underway.
During her tenure, Director Phillips led the charge to eliminate the police conduct complaint backlog, boosted department staffing from 65% to 93%, and helped pass a more inclusive Civil Rights Ordinance going into effect Aug. 1.
Read the full story on our website.
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The Minneapolis Police Department is dedicated to maintaining your trust and making sure you feel safe in your home and neighborhood. If you are ever unsure whether someone is a real police officer, don’t hesitate to call 911.
How to identify an officer
- Minneapolis police officers will say their name and agency when talking with you.
- During a traffic stop, you can call 911 to verify the officer’s identity.
- Look for agency markings on their vehicle and uniform. Lack of markings may be a warning sign.
- Make sure the agency serves your area. Agencies serving Minneapolis include, but are not limited to:
- Minneapolis Police Department
- Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office
- Metro Transit Police
- Minnesota State Patrol.
- If you didn’t call the police, be extra cautious.
- Always feel free to ask for their name, badge number, and agency. Officers will provide this information.
- Check their uniform and vehicle for badges, patches, and insignia that show which agency they represent.
- If you can’t see who’s at your door or something feels off, call 911. We can tell you if an officer is there.
Remember, we’re here to help you feel safe
When in doubt, reach out! Call 911 or our non-emergency line at 612-673-5335 any time, day or night.
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