Minneapolis Park Commissioners vote on 911 Legislation and Park Advisory Council

Minneapolis Park Commissioners vote on 911 Legislation and Park Advisory Council

Superintendent announces community Learning Sessions, provides Minnehaha incident update

On Wednesday, September 5, Commissioners of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) approved two important resolutions related to park safety, one for strengthening 911 legislation and the other for the formation of a Park Police Advisory Council.

Commissioners approved in committee, and at the full Board, a resolution for 2019 draft legislative agenda language supporting legislation to build awareness and strengthen laws and/or penalties related to reporting inaccurate information to law enforcement. The 911 system is a key mechanism to provide park police with information about crime or potential safety risks in the parks. Information provided through 911 that is exaggerated or inaccurate can put the safety of park visitors, staff and park police officers at risk. Increasing concern about these types of inaccurate calls has drawn attention both locally and nationally. These situations are particularly problematic when complicated by a racial bias on the part of the caller. One option that could be pursued legislatively would be to increase the severity of this type of crime from a misdemeanor to a felony. In addition to legislation, the MPRB will also lobby to increase public awareness around the risks of inaccurate 911 calls, increasing training for 911 operators to flag potential inaccuracies or exaggerated claims, and related funding that could assist in this area.

During the Sept. 5 Administration and Finance Committee, Commissioners approved a resolution for the formation of a Park Police Advisory Council. Initiated by staff in January 2018, discussed at the July 11 Board meeting, and approved at the September 5 Administration and Finance Committee, the resolution will be voted on by the full Board on September 12. If approved, the Park Police Advisory Council will provide broad representation and participation in the planning and development of policing and public safety initiatives. The council will be comprised of six Minneapolis residents representing diverse backgrounds. Applications will be available online and in MPRB public buildings later this fall with committee work starting late this year or early next year. The Park Police Advisory Council responsibilities will include: evaluating broad approaches to community safety, enforcement and reconciliation; providing annual reports to the Board of Commissioners; and making consensus recommendations regarding certain matters of policy, practices and programs. 

Superintendent Mary Merrill shared a statement during Open Time, stating the resolutions approved by Commissioners provide an opportunity for the Park Board to work closely with the community and other state officials to bring about meaningful discussions and change.

According to Merrill, “Minneapolis parks are vital to the well-being of Minneapolis residents and we are committed to providing parks that are safe places for children and adults to gather and play. Our park police officers provide a critical and unique service, working closely with park staff to ensure a park system that is safe for all visitors. As we continue our work to provide recreational opportunities for current and future generations, we are committed to working with the community to identify ways to improve park safety.”

Since mid-July there has been an internal work group comprised of the superintendent, commissioners, staff and consultants who have been discussing short- and long-term strategies related to park safety and park policing. Work underway includes expanded youth programming, learning sessions that will help the MPRB develop a park police service level plan, proposed legislative language related to 911 calls, and the formation of a park police advisory council. All of these strategies will include community engagement and discussions. The strategies are being approached, and will be evaluated, through a lens of equity.

This fall, a series of Learning Sessions will be held for youth and community members to discuss park police service levels. The Learning Sessions will begin in this month and provide an opportunity for the MPRB to listen, learn, acknowledge, educate and gather public input on the desired level of park police service needed to serve our communities. Findings from these Learning Sessions will be reported to the Board in December and will inform development of recommendations in a Park Police Service Level Plan to be drafted in 2019.   

Since the July 10 incident at Minnehaha Park, MPRB leadership and staff have met with the families and have been engaging members of the East African community around discussions about programming that would better meet the needs of all East African families and youth. Plans are being developed for family field trips and future programming is being discussed for the Cedar Riverside neighborhood, including programming with Pillsbury United Communities at the Brian Coyle Center. The MPRB’s StreetReach team will be expanded to include an East African Teen StreetReach group to outreach to Somali youth throughout Minneapolis. Additional program opportunities will be developed as community conversations continue.

The MPRB is committed to transparency and we pursued legal opinion about whether we can release of the body camera video in compliance with Minnesota Statute 13.825 (Portable Recording Systems). The body camera video from this case is considered private data and is not subject to release. Body camera video recently released from other cases involved police officers discharging a firearm. The law provides an exception in these cases. This exception however, does not apply to the Minnehaha incident. There are additional privacy implications when juveniles are involved.

The internal employment investigation is complete. As with all personnel matters, the results are subject to data practice laws and are not public unless and until final discipline is imposed. The majority of all City of Minneapolis and Park Board employees are covered by civil service rules and collective bargaining agreements. These rules and agreements provides processes for individuals to grieve and/or appeal discipline. These processes can potentially take many months.

The Minneapolis Park Police Department, in support of the mission and goals of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, is devoted to preserving and ensuring safe parks for all visitors and staff through fair and professional policing. Our park police officers take a proactive collaborative approach to policing, working closely with MPRB field staff in every division to ensure that crime and safety concerns are addressed holistically. Safety of our park visitors is not just the obligation of park police; it is everyone’s responsibility and we take that responsibility very seriously.

I will continue to work with park commissioners, park police, staff and the community to move forward on the initiatives outlined above that make our parks safe and welcoming for all people, especially our children.“