Days After Floyd Anniversary and Consent Decree Roll Back, City Launches New Safety Program

May 28, 2025 — As Minneapolis marks five years since the murder of George Floyd ignited a global reckoning around policing and racial justice, city officials are introducing a new Community Safety Ambassador pilot program focused on the East Lake Street and East Franklin Avenue corridors. Both areas are historically underserved and were among those hardest hit by the unrest in the wake of George Floyd’s death.

The pilot program announcement also comes as the city of Minneapolis is pledging to uphold federal reform standards despite the consent decree over the Minneapolis Police Department formally ending yesterday. The consent decree was established following the DOJ’s 2022 findings of unconstitutional policing practices

“Minneapolis remains fully committed to the transformation of public safety,” said Mayor Jacob Frey in a statement. “Even with the conclusion of federal oversight, we will follow every single line of the consent decree. Accountability, transparency, and community trust will continue to guide us.”

How does the pilot program work?

According to a press release from the City of Minneapolis Neighborhood Safety Department (NDS), the safety ambassadors are trained in de-escalation, trust-building, and violence prevention. They will collaborate with local businesses, schools, Hennepin County, local police, and other organizations providing safety services.They will not carry weapons or make arrests.

“This service will increase safety through relationship building, space activation, and outreach,’ said Amanda Harrington, Director of Minneapolis NSD. “They will also practice the kind of collaboration recommended by the Safe and Thriving Communities Report.” 

City officials say that a dispatch center for the pilot ambassador program will open in the coming weeks, so residents and businesses can request services directly via phone or email.

What does accountability look like?

Jess Sundin, organizer with the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice and a leader in the movement for a Civilian Police Accountability Commission (CPAC), expressed cautious skepticism about the City of Minneapolis’ new Community Safety Ambassador pilot program. While she supports the idea of community-based safety alternatives—especially given the deep mistrust of police in her Phillips neighborhood near Lake Street—she raised concerns based on past experiences.

Sundin highlighted failures in previous violence interruption efforts, including a lack of accountability, inadequate training, and incidents of hostility or even violence by those tasked with community safety.

“I remember multiple occasions, going back to summer 2020, when MinneapolUs violence interrupters were deployed to suppress dissent, trampling on our rights to free speech and freedom of assembly,” said Jess. “In every case, when we contacted the city to complain, it was a dead end. No accountability, no process to make complaints or have them addressed.”

Ultimately, Sundin said that if the city is investing in this kind of public safety program, it must come with a strong, transparent accountability system to ensure it truly serves the community without causing harm.

The pilot is being operated by the Metro Youth Diversion Center, a non-profit the city said it selected through an RFP process. The initiative is funded with $3 million through March 2026, with the option to extend for two additional years.