Minneapolis is gearing up for the launch of its Community Safety Ambassador Program, slated to begin this spring. Minneapolis Ward 9 Council Member Jason Chavez recently announced that the program, birthed from a budget amendment he authored and passed in December 2023, moves from vision to boots on the ground come May. Chavez conveyed his hope for the initiative to enhance community safety and support within cultural districts.
The Minneapolis City Council, last week, gave the green light to contracts for two pilot programs to be dispatched from the Lake Street Safety Center. Looking to address safety concerns, the ambassadors will serve as a welcoming presence, reportedly offering assistance across various spheres of public concern. According to Jason Chavez - Minneapolis Ward 9, providing essential services, they will extend support with wellness concerns, reporting hazards or emergencies, and engaging closely with local businesses and residents.
Rooted in community interaction, these safety ambassadors will "build trust, calm tensions, and prevent violence,"as per Jason Chavez - Minneapolis Ward 9. Echoed through the social fabric of the district, their roles are manifold; from serving as safety escorts to connecting folks to services to administering first aid or CPR when needed. Quite notably, they will also carry opioid overdose medicine such as NARCAN, acknowledging a crisis within the embrace of the community they strive to protect. Chavez praised the city staff on Facebook for their commitment to operationalizing these programs.
