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Hello Ward 3,
This week I got to sit in on a meeting of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee which focuses on all matters of crime within Hennepin County. This board brings together Judges, Police Chiefs, County Officials, Council Members, Prevention Organizations, Heads of JDC, and more impactful figures within the area. The board carries out a vision to create a fair, equitable, & accountable justice system supporting safety everyone. It has followed a strategic framework that is cultivating solutions for the external issue of lack of public trust, all while building communication amongst city leaders so they can approach the public as a unified and communicative force. The board meets 6 times a year with each meeting focusing on a new issue of crime that needs to be fixed and this time around it fell on juvenile crime.
With this topic being approached there has been great communication built with the Judicial Detention Center. The police have made sure to be clear that their intention is not to go straight to arresting youth, but rather offering them methods to grow and fix their mistakes that could prove consequential if they continue these behaviors in their adulthood. The police have made sure to meet with both adolescent victims, or adolescent offenders of given situations as well as their families to see if the behaviors could be deep rooted in the foundations of their household which more often than not has proven to be the case. They visit approximately 12-20 families and adolescents a week, and connect them with educational opportunities, mental help, or child protective services if needed. Although just because they're allowing for a leeway for adolescents to get on the right path of life before having to face permeant punishments it doesn’t imply that there is a rid of all consequences. This is where communication with the Judicial Detention Center comes into effect if an association with crimes is a pattern then the JDC is the most beneficial program for adolescents. One issue that has been apparent is the limited spacing with only 87 spots available. This leaves the question of what to do with remaining adolescents who need to be placed in the center. Issues like this are important to take note of as this is our upcoming generation at hand, and as a community and as individuals we need to pull our weight to get the youth in our life on the right path.
One way to do so is to think about how to prevent youth from falling into lives of crime. That starts with the household and education system. Studies have proven that keeping youth in an education system is beneficial to keeping them away from crime. Aside from education systems, one of the main focuses should be safety of households. In Minnesota alone, approximately 25,000 children a year have been reported to face abuse or neglect from their own parents. If a child isn’t safe at home, they will resort to other tactics of survival which can include theft, carjacking, etc. The CJCC has done an amazing job with creating solutions and after sitting in on their meeting I feel reassured. The only thing I would like to see added in this process is including the leadership of Child Protective Services as they are the ones who often deal with the final steps of getting youth to safety.
Overall I would encourage you all to do more research on protecting the youth around you as Ward 3 deserves a beautiful future and it starts here.
Old CJCC documents
Juvenile Detention Center | Hennepin County
Programs and services / Minnesota Department of Human Services
Hello to all my 3rd Ward neighbors,
Here is a quick update on my activities in the community and in Council meetings. On Saturday I joined Ward 4 and Ward 5 community members in celebrating civil rights activist Spike Moss' 80th Birthday.
Saturday night my wife and I walked to the riverfront and, along with 100,000 other spectators, enjoyed the Aquatennial fireworks. Later that night and into early Sunday morning, I rode along with 2nd Precinct Inspector Nick Torborg to view first hand the ongoing problems with suburban youth at the Stone Arch Bridge and several problematic NE bars. With the bars located in the heart of residential neighborhoods, it is important that the bar owners take responsibility for their clients behavior at closing time.
On Sunday Morning I met with the new owners of 20 South Washington (the beautiful NW National Life Building). We discussed their plans to renovate this iconic part of downtown and how the City can help facilitate the remodel.
As the work week began, I toured the Lundstrum Center for the Arts to learn of their scholarship program and their exciting plans to build a 300 seat theater.
Henry and I attended the Sheridan Neighborhood (SNO) quarterly community meeting which was very well attended. The SNO staff and board are very active with community gardens, safety walks, and neighborhood cleanups.
Patrick and I attended the St. Anthony East Neighborhood meeting to see how we can continue helping with their new safety club and take their ideas for the Central Ave (Hwy 65) rebuild to the State Highway Department.
Council Member Rainville with the St. Anthony East safety walking group
At the Public Health and Safety Committee we received a report on the status of early childhood education workforce development in Minneapolis. It is a great snapshot of what we have to do to help parents.
At the County/City Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee we received an update on how the reduction in federal and state funding will place an increased burden on property taxpayers.
As always, Henry, Patrick, and I are here to serve you. We can be reached at ward3@minneapolismn.gov. Please report all issues to 311 before contacting us so there is a paper trail and staff are already aware of the issue when we speak with them. You can contact 311 by simply dialing 311, email them at Minneapolis311@minneapolismn.gov or by submitting a 311 Contact Form.
Your neighbor,
Michael
Two severe storms swept through Minneapolis July 27 and 28, bringing strong winds, heavy rain and hail. The first storm, on Sunday evening, mainly affected north and northeast Minneapolis, while a second storm on Monday evening caused damage throughout the city.
While a heat advisory was ongoing on Monday afternoon, the City swiftly responded to the storm damage – activating Level 3 emergency monitoring to coordinate across departments, clearing roadways, informing residents of hazards through signage and social media, fielding reports of damage via 311, and more.
The city was back to normal operations by Tuesday, July 29.
Read more about the latest storm response on the City website.
Great memories grow under trees. Order up to three low-cost trees for your yard through the City Trees Sale and invite new stories to take root.
The sale opens Aug. 1 for residents participating for the first time. For all other residents, ordering opens Aug. 8.
Order your trees today.
If you live in a Green Zone, you may be eligible for free trees that will be planted for you. Find out if you live in a Green Zone.
There’s still plenty of summer fun to be had. Open Streets Minneapolis, the City’s popular summer event series, kicks off with the first of four events this Saturday, Aug. 2, in northeast Minneapolis.
Open Streets transforms major business and commercial corridors into car-free fairs for all ages to enjoy and connects all of its neighbors to enjoy culture, entertainment, activities and local vendors.
- Aug. 2, Central Avenue between Lowry Avenue and 14th Avenue
- Aug. 17, Cedar Avenue between 15th Avenue and Sixth Street, and Riverside Avenue between Cedar Avenue and 19th Avenue
- Sept. 6, West Broadway between Logan and Lyndale avenues
- Sept. 20, Hennepin Avenue between West 26th and 36th streets
Find details about the 2025 Open Streets fun on the City website.
Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, iconic transgender activist and veteran of the 1969 Stonewall riots, will headline the Aug. 11 Trans Equity Summit as the keynote speaker. Miss Major’s career has centered on activism to uplift transgender women of color, particularly those who have been incarcerated.
The Trans Equity Summit is a community gathering that brings together resources, healing and learning opportunities for our trans and gender non-conforming residents and employees. It includes workshops on name changes and rights, and career and resource fairs.
Read more about the keynote speaker, workshops, panels and more on the City website.
Farmers Market Week 2025 is kicking off Aug. 3 and running through Aug 9.
Minneapolis is home to 16 farmers markets and mini markets this year with 540 vendors. They’re an important part of the city’s local food system, providing:
- Sources for healthy foods.
- Economic development for local farmers and food producers.
- Community gathering spaces.
Find a farmers market near you.
Check your favorite market’s website and social media channels to stay up to date.
The City’s latest encampment report shows progress in addressing unsheltered homelessness: fewer encampment closures, more residents accepting shelter, and lower costs to the City.
This latest evidence reflects the City’s ongoing effort to ensure every resident has access to safe and affordable housing. This is a critical foundation for equitable economic opportunity and community safety.
Read more about the encampment report on the City website.
Every Wednesday through September, you can adopt a pet for free at Minneapolis Animal Care & Control. As part of its nationwide campaign, The Rescue Effect, the ASPCA awarded Minneapolis a $13,300 grant to cover fees for adoptions and Minneapolis pet licensing.
We’re on a mission to help more animals find homes. Like many shelters and rescues across the nation, our shelter is consistently full. You can change lives by adopting a pet and freeing up shelter resources for other homeless animals who need them. When you help one, you help many. That’s the rescue effect.
Free pet adoptions 1-5:30 p.m. every Wednesday in August and September Minneapolis Animal Care & Control, 212 17th Ave. N.
All cats and dogs up for adoption are healthy, spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated.
Learn more about pet adoption from the City of Minneapolis.
If you’re a gun owner, the Minneapolis Police Department wants you to store your firearms safely. Gun thefts have risen 56% in the last five years, with most stolen from cars. Your car is not a safe. Leave your gun at home.
If you must transport a gun:
- Keep it unloaded and locked in a case.
- Store it in the trunk while driving.
- Never leave it behind.
- You must have a permit to carry.
At home:
Report stolen guns right away by calling 911. One unlocked gun can lead to tragedy.
Read more about securing your weapon on the City’s website.
Are you out of work? CareerForce is here to help you with your resume, interview skills and job search.
The City of Minneapolis supports two CareerForce locations where you can get help:
Get connected
Stop by a CareerForce location, sign up for the monthly Job Seeker Bulletin or fill out the career coaching interest form. |
