Brad Brooks

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters] – Angela Harrelson points towards a blue angel painted onto the pavement. The mark marks where a Minneapolis officer killed George Floyd, and instigated a national movement for police reform.

Harrelson stated, “If a psychiatrist or social worker was with the police on the day that my nephew died here, he may very well still live today.” I don’t think we should abolish police. But, it is time to change.

Minneapolis residents will decide how their city should approach policing on Tuesday. In the first major electoral test for reforms prompted by Floyd’s killing in May 2020, a ballot question is asked residents whether or not they would like to replace their police department with a new Department of Public Safety.

Even after outrage and tension over his murder, this progressive city still has deep divisions about its future law enforcement. The split illustrates the tricky calculus around overhauling policing in major U.S. cities, as residents fear for their safety amid crime spikes and Democratic politicians worry https://www.reuters.com/world/us/democratic-cries-defund-police-fade-us-mayoral-races-crime-surges-2021-10-29 about Republicans weaponizing the issue in next year’s congressional elections.

The measure is opposed by Medaria Arradondo, Chief of Police in Minneapolis. Mayor Jacob Frey is also opposed to the measure. Frey is running for reelection Tuesday. Reuters reached out to neither party for comment.

Recent conversations with many voters in Minneapolis revealed that there were many points of view. Nearly all of them expressed confusion about the implications of the proposal being approved.

This is due in part to the fact that details of the new department for public safety would be finalized by the mayor or city council only a few months following the election.

Opponents claim the measure will fulfill the threat made by the city council to “defund” the police in the wake of Floyd’s passing. Minneapolis has a population around 430,000 and needs to have more police officers than ever as it struggles with crime waves.

Police would continue to do their job, but in smaller numbers according to supporters. The change, they claim, would allow police to approach safety holistically and address the root causes of criminality before it happens.

A department of Public Safety would allow for the creation of a bigger agency. This would include officers, mental health specialists, housing, addiction, as well as people skilled in de-escalating conflicts to assist 911 calls, where an armed officer might not be necessary.

This new department will answer to not only the mayor, but also the 13 city council members. Supporters claim that this would allow residents to have more control over how police work is done.

“What police have been doing for decades does not work,” said the Reverend JaNaé Bates, with the Yes4Minneapolis campaign that supports creating the new safety department. We want the city’s ability to respond to its safety requirements with all the available resources.

The ‘BIG EXPERIMENT’

Minneapolis murders rose by 17% in September compared with the same time in 2020. The number of robberies has also increased.

After Floyd’s killing, over 200 officers of the police department have left. Police who remain have in many ways stopped engaging with the community, for fear of being involved in another flashpoint case, a recent Reuters investigation found https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-policing-minneapolis.

North Minneapolis has been the victim of violence, being a less wealthy area with more Black residents. Precinct 4 has been the scene of nearly half of all murders within the city. Residents complain about nights full of shootings, carjackings, and other out-of control petty crimes.

Teto Wilson of north Minneapolis was a Black barbershop owner. He spoke out to refer to the efforts to replace Minneapolis’ police department. “They want us to be some big experiment.”

Wilson, like other northside residents who spoke to Reuters said that police reform was urgently needed. However, it must be done within current structures. Wilson stated that those who are subject to daily violence have no choice but to adopt drastic measures.

Anna Gerdeen is a white woman living in Folwell near Wilson’s barbershop. She described herself as a progressive director for a non-profit community. She and her son, 11 years old, feel threatened in their home. She’ll vote no to the creation of a department.

“My neighbor’s home was hit by bullets several months back. Gerdeen stated that Gerdeen cannot allow her son to play in their yard. Gerdeen said, “As mother, it’s impossible to risk more chaos.”

“Living Hell”

The creation of a public safety division is supported by those who believe that such violence shows the necessity for a fresh strategy. The advocates claim that they have failed repeatedly to pass reforms to improve policing and bring safety to the poorest neighborhoods for many decades.

Progressive Democrat Keith Ellison was the Minnesota Attorney General and oversaw the prosecution against Derek Chauvin. Chauvin was a former officer of the Minnesota Police Department who pinned Floyd to the ground with his knee for nine minutes. Ellison stated that now is the right time to make real change.

Ellison who lives in Minneapolis said, “If we say that George Floyd might be killed on the streets of that town… and that we are not willing to make any institutional changes to address it, that’s sad and scary.” My hope is that the government will take action to stop it happening again.

Bridgette Stewart, a member of a local community watch organization, was back in the area where Floyd died. She had recently returned from the site of a drive by shooting that left three others injured. Agape Movement, a group that was meant to be a link between the family members of victims and local law enforcement to stop violence from spiraling into further, had been there.

Stewart believes this is what Stewart needs. Stewart also said that it would be necessary to do the work on an entire city-wide level. However, she stated that approval of the new public safety division is required.

She stated, “This vision is for us all to work together in public safety.” “Because if all of us can’t agree and accomplish this work we will remain where we are, which is a living hell.