Minneapolis votes to close Office of Community Safety

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 00:09 · Archive

Minneapolis City Council will vote to eliminate the Office of Community Safety, created after George Floyd's death.

Minneapolis City Council has advanced a proposal to eliminate the Office of Community Safety as part of a public safety restructuring. The office was created in 2022 by Mayor Jacob Frey in response to calls for police reform after George Floyd's death. A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for 27 October.

Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette, the city's highest-paid employee with a salary near $350,000, has led the department since 2023, overseeing police officers, the fire department and 911 calls. Council members say the office has failed to produce meaningful results. Robin Wonsley said: 'It is good governance to stop investing in things that are not producing meaningful outcomes and are wasting taxpayer dollars.' The office has also contributed to increased audit costs due to poor management, according to council members.

Mayor Frey criticized the proposal, warning that eliminating the office without a plan could jeopardise critical services including mental health response, violence prevention and police reform. He said: 'This wholesale elimination without a plan, combined with other proposed cuts to MPD, is not a serious proposal when it comes to public safety in our city.' Barnette was renominated by Frey earlier this year but rejected by the council; he plans to step down in December.

How it is being reported

• Minneapolis progressives turn on George Floyd-era public safety overhaul, push to dismantle officeMinneapolis Council leaders propose eliminating the Office of Community Safety over audit failures and wasteful spending, and Mayor Jacob Frey pushes back.Fox News · 14 Oct, 23:45
• Minneapolis will vote to ax its woke Office of Community Safety created to try and replace cops in wake of George Floyd's murderCommunity Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette, who is the highest-paid employee in the city, is in charge of the department, which was created in the wake of George Floyd's death.Daily Mail · 14 Oct, 23:09

In this story: Minneapolis City Council · George Floyd · Toddrick Barnette · Jacob Frey · Minneapolis

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