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May 7, 2026
In this issue:
Minneapolis Ramps Up Safety Efforts Ahead of Summer
As we head into summer, Minneapolis is rolling out Operation Safe Summer—a coordinated, citywide effort to prevent crime and keep residents and visitors safe.
The Office of Community Safety announced the plan last week. You can expect:
- More visible police presence in high-traffic areas like Uptown, Downtown, and Dinkytown
- Late-night “Chief Beats” shifts, with command staff joining officers during peak hours
- Targeted, multi-agency enforcement focused on illegal guns, narcotics, and violent crime
- Focused efforts to reduce auto theft, especially during overnight hours
- Coordinated safety planning for major events like the Fourth of July, Pride, and the State Fair
- Direct outreach to youth and families to prevent conflicts before they escalate
- Data-driven deployment in hotspots where crime is most concentrated
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Explore Minneapolis during Doors Open
Doors Open offers residents a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the places that look at the spaces that shape our city and the everyday work of City staff. Doors Open Minneapolis takes place throughout the city on May 9 and 10.
Visit Minneapolis Fire Station 1
In 2022, Station 1 replaced one of Minneapolis’ oldest fire stations.
Step inside the city’s newest and busiest fire stations and see how firefighters live and work during a 24-hour shift. Explore fire engines and trucks, along with the protective gear, hoses, and equipment used in emergency response. Kids will also receive a fire hat to take home.
- When to visit:
- Date: Saturday, May 9.
- Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Location: 299 Fifth Ave. S.
- Note: This is an active fire station; expect loud alarms and moving vehicles.
Discover more behind-the-scenes spaces
This year’s event also marks the first opportunity for the public to explore the newly updated City Council Chambers, along with other renovated spaces inside City Hall.
Make sure to visit all the City’s venues that are on display:
- Minneapolis Fire Station 1
- Saturday, May 9
- 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Minneapolis City Hall & Hennepin County Courthouse
- Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10
- 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Minneapolis Traffic Management Center
- Saturday, May 9
- 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Maintenance hole and CCTV inspection demonstration
- Saturday, May 9
- 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Learn more about Doors Open Minneapolis and see all participating venues.
Visit the Lake Street Safety Center for support and resources
The Lake Street Safety Center, located at 2228 E. Lake St., provides residents and businesses in the area access to service providers and resources. The Safety Center is open:
- Monday through Thursday
- Friday
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Non-emergency questions and City service requests
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Free Narcan
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Mental health and recovery support
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Assistance with school-related issues
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Property and business owner safety planning
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Harm reduction-based, intensive case management
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Filing a non-emergency police report
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Applications for Metro Transit’s Assistance Program
Stop by during the new weekday hours to learn how the center can support you and your needs.
Learn more about the Lake Street Safety Center.
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National Night Out is Aug. 4: Register now
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.
Registration is now open and is free. Pro tips:
- Include neighbors 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% 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.
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Contact a City crime prevention specialist with questions.
Registration closes July 28. Read more about National Night Out and register your block’s event.
Police Precinct open houses during National Police Week
Join the Minneapolis Police Department for a precinct open house during National Police Week. These community events are family friendly. Come meet the K9 team, our mounted patrol, and more. At the open houses, you can talk with officers, city staff, and other law enforcement personnel.
Precinct open houses
- 2nd Precinct
- Monday, May 11
- 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
- 1911 Central Ave. NE
- 5th Precinct
- Wednesday, May 13
- 1-4 p.m.
- 3101 Nicollet Ave. S
- 1st and 3rd Precincts
- Thursday, May 14
- 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
- 330 S. 12th St.
Learn more about these events.
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Prevent vehicle thefts
Following a recent rise in vehicle thefts, the Minneapolis Police Department reminds residents to take steps to keep their vehicles safe.
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Always lock your car, especially if parking outdoors in a public space.
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Never leave keys or valuables in your car.
- Do not leave your car running unattended.
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Other devices, like steering wheel locks and ghost immobilizers, may also be options to secure your vehicle.
MPD Lt. Ryan Kelly receives award from MN Fraternal Order of Police
The Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police awarded Minneapolis Lieutenant Ryan Kelly the Meritorious Service Award for exceptional bravery, leadership, and lifesaving action.
On Aug. 27, 2025, Lt. Kelly responded within minutes to the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church. His rapid arrival disrupted the attack, preventing further loss of life. He immediately entered the sanctuary, guided victims to safety, and helped establish a triage area.
Drawing on his experience as an 18-year U.S. Army combat medic and licensed paramedic, Lt. Kelly provided critical care to numerous victims, helping save lives during a chaotic and tragic event.
Lt. Kelly’s continued service to both his profession and the community reflects the highest standards of dedication and selflessness.
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Sworski named MPD Officer of the Year
Fourth Precinct Officer Jeff Sworski has been named the Minneapolis Police Department's Officer of the Year. For more than three decades, Officer Sworski has earned multiple medals of valor including for entering a hazardous chemical explosion scene to rescue victims and for responding to armed suspects in high-risk situations.
Recently, while working off duty, Officer Sworski responded to the active shooter at Annunciation Church and was one of the first officers on scene. Without hesitation, he entered the building, assessed a chaotic and dangerous environment and located a juvenile victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He carried the child to safety and provided immediate medical aid, actions that directly contributed to her full recovery. In the weeks and months that followed, he continued to support the victim and her family, maintaining contact and demonstrating a deep commitment to compassion and care beyond the incident itself.
Officer Sworski's career demonstrates a sustained pattern of bravery and selfless service. A senior officer serving the city’s North side, he embodies our department's values of courage, professionalism, trust and accountability.
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Backyard fire safety
As the weather gets warmer and nicer, many try to find more ways to be outdoors. Whether sitting around with friends or making s’mores, be prepared whenever you build a backyard fire. Burning wood can affect local air quality by increasing harmful pollutants in the air, which creates health risks for the community.
Wood smoke is especially harmful to older adults, children and anyone with asthma. Follow these steps to be a good neighbor:
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Let your neighbors know before you start a backyard fire. It’ll give them a chance to close their windows.
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Limit your number of fires and consider a different location if your backyard is too close to your neighbors.
Follow the rules to keep everyone safe
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Make sure the fire is 25 feet away from a building and has a barrier around it.
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Keep a fire extinguisher and bucket of water or hose nearby.
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Don’t burn when the wind exceeds 10 mph or when the air quality is poor.
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Never burn treated or painted wood, cardboard boxes, trash, or debris because the smoke can be toxic.
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Minneapolis allows outdoor recreational fires from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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Keep your fires less than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high.
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Fires must be supervised by someone 18 or older.
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Community Safety Ambassador dispatching now available
The City has rolled out a new dispatch service to better connect the community with Community Safety Ambassadors in the East Lake Street and East Franklin Avenue cultural districts. Community members, business owners, and visitors can now call or email dispatch to request support within the Ambassadors’ scope of services, making it easier to get timely, non-emergency help in the corridor.
Community Safety Ambassadors wear bright blue uniforms and provide a friendly, non-law-enforcement presence in the neighborhood.
Safety Ambassadors provide:
- Safety escorts
- Wellness checks in public areas
- Help filing police and 311 reports
- Connections to City resources and services
- Support for businesses
- Basic first aid such as CPR and NARCAN
The new dispatch system helps ensure requests are routed quickly and efficiently, strengthening coordination, and improving access to support for people who live, work, and visit the area. Safety Ambassadors provide services five days per week typically during daylight hours.
To request an Ambassador:
Learn more about Community Safety Ambassadors.
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Community Safety Ambassador Program expands to Uptown
 Starting in November, the City is expanding the Community Safety Ambassador Program to Uptown, dedicating eight Ambassadors to the area. The expansion comes after the pilot program launched last summer, which showed success on East Franklin and East Lake Streets.
A survey conducted last November showed positive feedback from community members along East Lake Street and Franklin Avenue, with results including:
- 83% have seen Ambassadors in the area
- 78% had direct contact with Ambassadors
- 72% were satisfied or very satisfied with the interaction
- 59% felt safer since the program began
- 81% recommending the City keep investing in the program
Last December, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara dedicated a Fifth Precinct patrol unit to curbing nuisance behavior in Uptown and Steven’s Square. It’s part of the department’s commitment to proactive crime prevention work, interrupting criminal behavior by being a presence in the neighborhood. Since March 1, officers have issued 120 misdemeanor trespassing citations and made 60 arrests, many involving people with outstanding warrants.
Engagement will take place over the coming months to determine the best use of the program in Uptown while ambassadors are hired and trained.
Learn more about community safety efforts in Uptown.
Youth Connection Center open house May 22
Join the Youth Connection Center at its open house May 22 to tour the space, meet the team and learn how the center is supporting families and youth.
The Youth Connection Center provides short-term stabilizing support for youth ages 10-17 who are experiencing family conflict, safety concerns, community stressors or barriers to accessing resources. It also offers a relaxed, safe space where staff listen and create a judgement-free environment.
Youth Connection Center Open House
- Friday, May 22
- 2-6 p.m.
- 1635 Harmon Place Suite #200
Learn more about the Youth Connection Center.
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Ready camp emergency preparedness training
Do you know what to do in an emergency? Attend a free Ready Camp training, held in partnership with Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education, so you can better prepare and recover from an emergencies or disasters.
The free training will help you to:
- Build an emergency kit
- Develop a communication plan
- Notice signs and prepare for severe weather
- Recover from an emergency or disaster
- Learn about homeowner's and renter's insurance
The next sessions are:
Public safety telecommunicators recognized for response during 2025 shooting at Annunciation Church
 From left to right: Chief O’Hara, Director Joni Hodne, Amanda Torkelson, Assistant Director, Leticia Cardenas (back), Emilee Herman, Rachel Zempel (back), Krissy Warnke, Nathan Gray-Garcia (back), Dimanique Chapman, Anna Alvarez (back), Val Luepke, Commissioner Barnette.
The morning of Aug. 27, 2025, calls began flooding the Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center (MECC), reporting a possible active shooter occurring at Annunciation Church.
The City’s 911 call takers were the first to take these reports and its 911 dispatchers immediately relayed all critical information to police, fire and EMS crews, getting crews on scene in less than four minutes from that first call.
MECC’s calm voices among 911 calls, heavy radio traffic and ongoing chaos and those behind the headsets were recently recognized for their courageous and important role in this emergency response.
Community Safety Commissions Barnette, Police Chief O’Hara and Joni Hodne, MECC Director presented awards and recognized the tremendous impact of the 911 staff whose contributions during an incident are often overlooked.
“MECC should be incredibly proud of their hard work, outstanding service, and honorable performance as the ‘first’ first responders, while working and navigating such a horrific, unspeakable tragedy,” Hodne said.
In those first minutes, MECC staff fielded and triaged 911 calls, gathered critical information, dispatched and communicated with the initial emergency response, and began requests for multi-agency support and coordination, all while also managing other unrelated 911 calls.
The amount of teamwork and collaboration displayed was truly incredible. Thank you MECC!
Be aware of air quality and its impact on our health
Minneapolis is increasingly seeing poor air quality throughout the summer from wildfire smoke blowing in the Western United States and Canada, sometimes prompting an air quality alert. Smoke is unhealthy to breathe and is especially harmful to sensitive groups, including children and older adults, and those with lung diseases, such as asthma.
May 4-7 is Air Quality Awareness Week and an opportunity to encourage everyone to stay aware of air quality and its impacts on their daily lives. It’s also a great time to consider steps you can take to decrease your pollution contribution.
Here are some ways you can stay aware, protect your health and reduce your impacts:
Learn more about Air Quality Awareness Week and get more tips to stay healthy.
The Minneapolis Health Department started a Community Air Project in 2021 with a goal to have at least one PurpleAir sensor placed in every Minneapolis neighborhood. There are currently 55 PurpleAir air sensors throughout Minneapolis.
See how you could host an air sensor in your neighborhood.
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Mobile Medical Unity breaks down barriers to healthcare
The City’s Mobile Medical Unit continues to bring critical healthcare services, addiction treatment and recovery resources, and connections to preventive care directly to neighborhoods.
The Mobile Medical Unit focuses on bringing healthcare directly to neighborhoods with limited access to healthcare.
The vehicle offers private, dignified care in a respectful space. Services include:
- Basic health screenings (e.g. blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar)
- Medication consultation
- Wound care
- Mental health counseling and referrals
- Youth health services (e.g. physical exams, dental care, wellness checks)
- Medications for opioid use disorder
- Vaccinations
The Mobile Medical Unit will be out this summer at various regular partner events as well as special community events. An online calendar is updated frequently and can be found on the city’s website along with a request form that can be filled out by anyone hoping to have the unit at an event or in their community.
Learn more and view the calendar.
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