Minneapolis continues work to assist unsheltered people
The City of Minneapolis has closed an encampment on private property at 28th Avenue South and East Lake Street because of urgent safety and health concerns, including a shooting that injured seven people on Monday. City leaders helda news conference to discuss the entire community affected by recent violence, as well as the public health and safety concerns caused by encampments.
The City works on multiple levels to prevent homelessness and address challenges that lead to homelessness, including:
- Confronting the fentanyl epidemic
- Increasing affordable housing access
- Addressing mental health challenges
- Providing inclusive economic opportunities
- Combating human trafficking
Making progress
While one person experiencing homelessness is one too many, the rate of unsheltered homelessness in Hennepin County in 2024 was already less than half the national average.
This year, the population of unsheltered people has decreased by 14% (a reduction of 33.5% from the peak in 2020). While we’re making progress, there is still much more work to be done. Our partnerships with the county and service providers are having a significant impact in helping unsheltered people.
Read more on the City website
Lake Street Encampment closure support
Being unsheltered reflects the many challenges in our society.
After the recent violence and closure of the Lake Street Encampment, the City of Minneapolis continues working with partners to take steps to help those in need, including:
- NextStep: Worked with hospitalized victims from both shooting incidents.
- Hennepin County’s Streets to Housing Team: Identified shelters.
- The Minneapolis Homeless Response Team (HRT), Avivo, Metro Transit Homeless Action Team (HAT): Provided services and resources near the encampment.
- City Health Department: Provided services and supported the needs of a nearby school.
- Various service providers: Assessed medical needs.
- Animal Control: Reunited individuals with their lost pets.
Resource flyer
We have developed a comprehensive flyer detailing vital support resources for the unsheltered, including information on:
- General support services
- Emergency shelters
- Assistance for violence, assault, and trafficking
- Drop-in centers and meal programs
- Medical, mental health, and substance use services
- Victim services
- Legal aid resources
The flyers are available in:
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The Lake Street Safety Center is hosting another open house on Sept. 24 to connect with residents, workers and local businesses. Join us to meet our service providers, explore available resources, and learn how the center can support you and your community.
About the safety center
The Lake Street 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 learn 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.
- Get your blood pressure or sugar levels checked by HEMS Bridge team and Hennepin Healthcare.
- Find out more about the City’s new Community Safety Ambassador pilot program in the Lake Street area.
- Get a free backpack while supplies last.
- Enter the raffle for a chance to win a bike. We have two for teenagers and one for a toddler.
Lake Street Safety Center open house
Flyers are available in:
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In the inaugural Commissioner’s Corner, Office of Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette opens up on the lasting impact of the Aug. 27 Annunciation Church and School tragedy—reflecting on grief, strength, and the ways our community has come together.
You’ll also find updates on promising safety innovations: an embedded social worker in the 911 center, new Community Safety Ambassadors on Franklin and Lake, and a pilot for traffic‐control agents handling non-injury crashes.
Each month, Commissioner Barnette will send updates about community safety work and the progress we are making in the City of Minneapolis. You can subscribe to receive updates from OCS.
Read the September 2025 Commissioner's Corner Newsletter.
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It’s OK to not be OK. Reach out if you need to talk.
During National Suicide Prevention Month, know you are not alone and help is available. In Minneapolis, one in five adults has a mental health condition and men in the city are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with anxiety as men statewide.
Minneapolis resident Antoine Carter, who struggles with his mental health, encourages people to talk, reach out, and find help whenever they are struggling.
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Find your support network during National Recovery Month
50.2 million American adults considered themselves to be in recovery from their substance use and/or mental health problems (Source: SAMHSA). You are not alone in your recovery journey. Recovery can be easier with the support of others.
Farhia Budul shares her recovery story and the importance of reaching out for support. Listen to Farhia Budul’s story of recovery
Visit the City website for resources and support options
Learn about how the City’s harm reduction resources, including the City’s free NARCAN® vending machines
Even with the rain falling, there were plenty of smiles as three children of Officer Jamal Mitchell — who was killed in the line of duty a little more than a year ago — headed back to school.
During what has been a difficult few weeks, Minneapolis police officers kept the department’s promise to support the families of fallen heroes. With hugs, encouragement and care, they gave Officer Mitchell’s children a special sendoff and made sure they boarded the school bus safely.
The Minneapolis Police Department will never forget Officer Mitchell or his legacy. As the school year begins, we continue to wish his children a bright future filled with hope and opportunity. Read more about Officer Jamal Mitchell and his legacy on our City's website.
Join the Minneapolis Police Department for a day of family fun this fall! Presented by the Minneapolis Police Foundation and MPD's Health and Wellness team, we are hosting the MPD Family Field Day
- When: Special Operations Center - 4199 Dupont Ave. N.
- Where: Saturday, Oct. 18, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
This is a free, family-friendly public event. There will be face painting, a raffle and food trucks.
Activity stations
Participating unites
- Canine
- SWAT
- Bicycle Rapid Response Team (BRRT)
Read more about the event on the City's website.
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On Sept. 12, the Minneapolis Police Department joined communities across the country in celebrating National Police Woman Day. The day recognizes the women who wear the badge and serve with courage, professionalism and dedication.
Women leading the way at MPD
MPD has 90 female officers, making up about 15 percent of the department. These women serve in every precinct and in specialized units. Their presence strengthens the department and helps ensure it reflects the community it serves.
Voices from the field
To mark the occasion, we interviewed three of our officers about their experiences:
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Why they chose to join MPD
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The challenges they have faced in their careers
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Why it is important to see women in law enforcement
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Last week at Eagle Brook Church, a new group of cadets, Community Service Officers (CSOs), and interns received a warm welcome as they begin their path toward careers in law enforcement with the Minneapolis Police Department. Recruitment efforts are paying off, with 32 cadets, 29 CSOs, and four interns stepping into this next chapter of service.
Chief Brian O’Hara, Mayor Jacob Frey, and Minneapolis Park Police Chief Jason Ohotto spoke to the group, offering encouragement and inspiration as they embark on this important work.
The Minneapolis Police Department looks forward to seeing these young men and women grow into courageous, committed leaders dedicated to keeping our community safe. Learn more about the different pathways to joining MPD on our City's website.
National Thank a Police Officer Day
This month, we honor and thank the dedicated men and women of the Minneapolis Police Department. We recognize your courage, service, and sacrifice inspire us every day.
To all our officers—thank you for protecting with courage and serving with compassion.
What you do makes a difference.
Watch a message from Mayor Frey
 Last week, members of the Minneapolis Police and Fire Departments came together to pause and honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001. In a moving moment of reflection, they remembered the 343 firefighters and 72 police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while responding to the attacks.
Through a quiet moment of solidarity with fire and police departments across the nation, our first responders reflected on the courage, service, and selflessness that define their work — both that day and every day since.
We invite you to watch the video we featured, capturing this heartfelt tribute, as we join the nation in remembering the bravery and sacrifice of all who were lost. Watch the full video on the City's YouTube channel.
The Community Safety Ambassadors are actively supporting efforts along Lake Street and Franklin Avenue to respond to the needs of our unsheltered community by offering compassionate engagement and connecting individuals to vital resources.
Using the Lake Street community resource document, ambassadors help link people to medical care, mental health and substance use services, victim services, Legal Aid, and general support. They also provide connections to emergency shelters, drop-in centers, meal programs, and services for those impacted by violence, assault, or trafficking. Through these efforts, the ambassadors play an important role in fostering safety, dignity, and access to support across the community.
Blueprint Approved Institute RFP Extension Date
We are seeking proposals for a Blueprint Approved Institute (BPAI) Training and Technical Assistance Provider. BPAI is a contracted program that helps individuals, businesses, and organizations build their skills in violence prevention or intervention work.
The Request for Proposals (RFP) invites qualified organizations to support community-based groups engaged in violence prevention by offering training, coaching, and capacity-building support.
Proposals are now due on Monday, Sept. 2 at 2 p.m.
All applicants must apply through the City’s eSupplier Portal.
View the promotional flyer
Embedded Social Worker
We are piloting a new partnership with Hennepin County to place a social worker inside our 911 call center. Many calls to 911 are related to mental health, substance use, or other crises that don’t always require a police response. Performance Management and Innovation and MECC were key partners in the launch of this pilot.
The new embedded social worker will:
- Respond directly to certain non-emergency calls.
- Provide crisis intervention, counseling, and follow-up with residents.
- Connect people to resources such as mental health care, addiction treatment, and housing support.
This approach means people in crisis can get the right help faster. You can read more about this exciting new pilot on the City's website.
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Register now for Ready Camp: Household Emergency Preparedness classes
What can you do now to prepare for emergencies and disasters? Register for the Ready Camp: Household Emergency Preparedness class to learn how to prepare for hazards that you may encounter in Minneapolis. Individuals or whole families can register for the upcoming class on Oct. 1 at Camden High School.
We'll review topics such as mindset for preparation, making a plan, getting information in an emergency, emergency communications, what happens when you call 911, the importance of homeowner’s and renter’s insurance, home essentials for sheltering in place, car preparedness kits, pet preparedness, and connecting with your community.
These classes are held in partnership with Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education. Find more information, more future class dates, and registration links on the City's website.
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Prevent getting sick: Buy food only from licensed vendors
The City of Minneapolis Health Department and Business Licensing Division are urging people to avoid buying food from anyone who is not licensed. The risk of getting food poisoning is highest when buying from an unlicensed vendor. These sellers are often not trained in food safety. Licensed vendors follow basic food safety practices that help prevent foodborne illness through:
- Handwashing
- Keeping foods at safe temperatures
- Buying food (or ingredients) from approved sources
- Making food in a licensed kitchen or restaurant
Reporting foodborne illness
Anyone who believes they became ill from eating at an unlicensed street food vendor can call 1-877-FOOD-ILL.
How to recognize licensed food vendors
The City requires licensed vendors to display a current license on their cart. If you don’t see a City of Minneapolis sticker, ask the vendor to show it.
Learn more on the City's website
 The City of Minneapolis’ first-ever Mobile Medical Unit is officially on the streets, bringing important healthcare services, addiction treatment and recovery resources, and connections to primary preventive care directly to neighborhoods with limited access to healthcare.
The vehicle will offer care in a private, respectful space. Services will include:
- Basic health screenings (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar)
- Mental health counseling and referrals
- Youth health services (physical exams, dental care, wellness checks)
- Medications for opioid use disorder
Read more about the City’s mobile medical unit on the City website.
Voters have several options for how to cast their ballots in this year’s municipal election, and any voter is allowed to vote early starting Sept. 19 or on Election Day, which is Nov. 4 this year.
The Early Vote Center opens Friday, Sept. 19, for early voting in person 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Voters can also cast their ballot by mail or by dropping off a ballot. More locations and hours will open up over the election season.
For more details and updates, to request a mail ballot, to register to vote and more, visit the City website.
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