Last week we saw another person lose their life in an interaction with MPD. This time the name was Amir Locke. I was speaking with a colleague who wasn't sure if they were going to put out a statement because when they went to write one they felt like they had said all the same words before. I get that. We're barely a month into the new council term, and only a few months removed from an election where voters wrestled with the question over who should be able to make changes when it comes to police-related policies. The voters decided to preserve the existing system in which only the mayor has policymaking authority. In the wake of Amir Locke's death, there is now serious scrutiny over the "no knock" raid policy. After George Floyd it was the use of force policy. After Justine Damond it was the body camera policy. To be sure, there are larger issues to consider as well, but a common thread is that MPD policies were not where they needed to be, that they weren't scrutinized like they should have been, and that created the space for things to go so horribly wrong. What will it be next time?
While voters did not approve the charter amendment which would have had MPD policies vetted under the thorough legislative process that exists today for all other departments, there nonetheless should be a clear framework for a publicly transparent and thorough process for vetting MPD policy, both new and existing. I am glad the mayor has already answered this call by ordering a review of all policies. He has also expressed an openness to bringing policies through the City Council for public hearings. That would be a good thing. Given the life and death consequences, MPD policies should be subject to more scrutiny and vetting than other departments, not less.
There are many questions that still need answering. Two investigations into MPD, both State and Federal, that are in progress and need to be completed. Much ongoing work outside of MPD to transform our public safety system which needs to continue. I'll keep pushing and working on this front and share updates as I have them. The work must go on until we have a truly just system that serves all residents.
It feels hard to believe, since I have been on the City Council for just eight years, but there is only one council member who has been in office longer than I have now (Lisa Goodman).
Given that we have a majority of new council members, and being in a senior position on the council, I've stepped up and taken on additional responsibilities this term. My committee assignments are now set, and I am happy to report that I am chairing the
Public Works and Infrastructure committee as well as the
Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) committee. I will be helping lead efforts around addressing climate change, expanding transit access, and improving critical city services. It's also great to continue chairing IGR, where we work to secure resources and changes to laws that advance the interests of Minneapolis residents. With this short two-year term already underway, I've been busy collaborating with colleagues to develop workplans and ensure we are as productive as possible.
In addition to these assignments and taking on more external board and commission appointments, I was also elected as the
President of the Northern Lights Express Alliance (a train between Minneapolis and Duluth). This is an exciting project that's shovel-ready, and I look forward to getting it across the finish line.
Another big update from this month was the long-awaited independent study of MPD staffing levels, which I co-authored the funding of. It confirmed that MPD is just above the minimum number of patrol officers needed to respond to calls (per case literature), and are around 120 officers short of being fully staffed at the ideal levels. It highlighted that MPD could be doing more to leverage one-officer squads, which I
suggested years ago. And the study reinforced the importance of continuing to roll out alternative responses.
To read the full report and findings, click here.
Finally, I have two noteworthy actions in Ward 12 to share for Black History Month.
First, after a nearly year-long effort, former Fire Station 24 (located at 45th St & Hiawatha Ave) received a historic landmark designation! This was the city's all-black fire station. Here's a
great clip from KARE11, and an article from the
Minnesota Spokesman Recorder.
Second, Dight Avenue is being renamed. Charles Dight was infamous for leading the eugenics movement in Minnesota that resulted in the forced sterilization of hundreds of residents; he also made headlines for his letters to Hitler praising the Nazi's pursuit of genetic purity. This history will not be erased, as Dight's legacy of harm is well-documented by the historical society. But having a street named after someone is an ongoing way to honor them, and it is painfully clear that Charles Dight does not deserve this honor, as his actions are not reflective of our community's values. Who does deserve that honor? Our office, in working with community, identified several options. We put them to a vote of residents living on the street, and the winning name is Cheatham Avenue, named after Captain John Cheatham. Born a slave, John moved with his family to Minneapolis after the emancipation proclamation, where he became the city's first black firefighter in the 1890s and later the first black fire captain. He helped open the door for other black firefighters, and dedicated himself to protecting the people of Ward 12
despite the hate directed at him simply because of the color of his skin. His courage, leadership, and sacrifice are remarkable. And for that, his name and his legacy deserve this public honor.
Wishing you well,
