Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced a four point public safety plan Monday afternoon that would integrate existing public safety work under one department, hire community-oriented officers, expand alternatives to police and encourage a collective approach to police reform.
“There is broad consensus and we all agree that not every response requires an officer with a gun to respond, ” says Frey who is currently up for re-election.
Following the mayor’s remarks at the press conference that was held in North Minneapolis at Shiloh temple members of the community responded with criticism.
I don’t appreciate you coming here to Shiloh Temple trying to finesse the Black community. I don’t care about none of that stuff you just said… those are words to get re-elected the best way you know how. I don’t know why this press conference is here and not where that 12 year old just got shot,” says Angela Williams, a member of the New Black Panther Nation.
Frey assured her of his commitment to address the gun violence in North Minneapolis and told members of the press that the charter amendment wasn’t necessary in order to resolve the gun violence. Frey has opposed the Charter amendment but has advocated for it being on the ballet stating that his constituents deserve to vote for themselves what they want for the future of policing and public safety.
I think it’s important for you to be careful to stand in front of God’s house and make promises in front of an anointed member of our community as if there’s going to be great change. That’s not going to happen,“ said another member of the community. Who went on to challenge Frey to allocate more resources and jobs to his neighborhood which “doesn’t look like yours” he said.
With Frey up for re-election and the Minneapolis Police reporting the city’s 70th homicide this weekend public safety is the number one issue for a city still healing from the murder of George Floyd. As the epicenter of a global uprising there remains enormous pressure for the city of Minneapolis to create the blueprint for a public safety system that fosters accountability and produces equitable outcomes for people of color. Since it is a task that still hasn’t been completed a year and a half after the murder of George Floyd the next mayor will lead that charge. There are more than a dozen candidates in the Minneapolis Mayoral race. The filing deadline for candidacy was Aug. 10. Election day is Nov. 2.
List of candidates: