The City of Minneapolis announced the Office of Community Safety (OCS) has launched a new bi-weekly newsletter, per the OCS Dispatch. The newsletter aims to keep locals in the loop about the agency's various departments such as Emergency Management, Fire, Police, and Neighborhood Safety. Commissioner Toddrick Barnette leads the charge on this new initiative which emphasizes a coordinated, fair, and comprehensive approach to community safety.
In related news, Rachel Sayre looks to concretely step into the role of Minneapolis Emergency Management Director after Mayor Jacob Frey nominated her with Barnette's consultation. Minneapolis residents could see Sayre, who previously served USAID in various capacities including Senior Humanitarian Advisor, take over the Emergency Management Department after the City Council votes "in the coming weeks," according to the OCS Dispatch.
The city also celebrated camaraderie and cooking chops at the 8th annual Battle of the Badges BBQ competition on September 7, which saw various first responder teams competing for the title of top BBQ. The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office took home the 2024 trophy, and the community joined in on the fun with food, activities, and entertainment, reports the OCS Dispatch.
Adding to the list of accolades, sixteen officers from the Minneapolis Police Department were promoted at a ceremony presided over by Police Chief Brian O'Hara, who underscored the importance of leadership in shaping the department's culture. O'Hara said, "Cultivating that culture starts with me, and it belongs to everyone in the agency to do their part. But it’s success hinges on you, the supervisors who touch every corner of the department." The event took place at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church and included both sergeants and lieutenants moving up the ranks.
On the facilities front, the Lake Street Safety Center, anticipated to open in November 2024, completed its demolition phase and will now begin construction. The South Minneapolis Community Safety Center is also making strides, reviewing proposals from social service providers to determine who will operate out of the community-accessible site, as detailed in the OCS Dispatch.
Public engagement remains on the city's agenda as the Police Community Relations Council and Unity Community Mediation Team hosted a September 17 public safety conversation for Minneapolis residents, seeking to gather feedback and foster dialogue about the ongoing transformation of community safety. Moreover, with September being National Preparedness Month, the city encourages families to plan for emergencies, recommending a visit to Ready.gov for resources, and will hold a Ready Camp on October 22-23 to educate residents on disaster response.
