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Some police chiefs continue to keep their SROs in schools
Some of the departments keeping SROs in the district include Chaska, Faribault, Minnetonka and Edina.
FARIBAULT, Minn. — There are now at least 40 law enforcement agencies across Minnesota that have pulled school resource officers (SRO) from campuses in recent weeks, Eagan joined the list on Wednesday.
At issue is a new law that limits physical restraints on students.
But there are also at least half dozen or so departments across the metro that are keeping their SROs in place.
One chief admits that decision is a “leap of faith”, but Faribault Police Chief John Sherwin said he still has confidence in his officers.
“To me, this has become a partisan issue,” said Chief Sherwin. “It should be about what’s best for our students, what’s best for our community and it’s all about community safety, and I think in some ways this issue has lost focus on that.”
Chief Sherwin said the city’s two SROs are specially trained in de-escalation and have more than 20 years of experience. He said that only adds to his confidence about keeping them there.
“I couldn’t personally live with myself as a chief if something bad were to happen in our schools and we didn’t have an officer readily available or present,” said Chief Sherwin.
That’s not to say he approves of the new law and is still hopeful Governor Walz will call a special session to clarify it. The law is one that the leader of the National Association of School Resource Officers is questioning and sent his own letter of concern to Walz.
“This is unique,” said the group’s executive director Mo Canady. “We haven’t seen this level of anything like this in any states at this point.”
Canady is a former SRO who helps train, on average, up to 8,000 SROs every year. They’re different from a cop, he says. They are carefully selected for each school and often make a meaningful impact on the students they serve every day.
“It puts law enforcement agencies in a very tough position,” says Canady. “With this law in place now, if the officer violates the letter of the law, now that could pose some difficulties in a chief law enforcement administrator being able to have that officer’s back.”
It’s a risk that some leaders are still willing to take – for now.
“If I didn’t have that confidence or I had some lingering questions, we would have to walk away,” said Chief Sherwin.
KARE 11 confirmed that Walz is meeting with the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association, the League of Minnesota Cities, legislative leaders and the Attorney General’s Office Wednesday night about this issue.
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Reverend Shawn Morrison, founder and executive director of Good in the ‘Hood, shares his project to connect humanity through stories.
MINNEAPOLIS — In the busy intersections of life, some moments are often overlooked, while others are ignored.
Reverend Shawn Morrison, founder and executive director of Good in the ‘Hood, sees these intersections as opportunities for connecting and understanding.
“Three years ago, I just got a heart for this,” Morrison said, explaining that overlooking these moments was never an option. “Some might say it’s a calling that I was just compelled,” he shared, describing his deep motivation.
This project, “Will You See Me?” shares stories of people who are often unseen, aiming to create connections and build empathy. With each story, photograph and encounter, the team hopes to bring dignity and significance to every life they touch.
Ultimately, they plan to compile these stories and images into a book to serve as a powerful testament to the human experience.
“How can we not make it just an excursion but an encounter? How can we give dignity and significance a listening ear of understanding?” Morrison asked, hoping the project fosters empathy through shared narratives.
One participant, Wade Smith, reflected on the range of life experiences among the project’s subjects.
“I went to radio and television broadcasting school, yeah, and then I went to the service,” Smith shared.
Morrison’s approach includes photographing and recording participants’ words, preserving their voices authentically.
After initial challenges finding collaborators, Shawn Nielsen, owner of Nielsen Studios, and Elizabeth Korth, owner of Narrative Nuance, joined Morrison in his mission. Together, they approach individuals directly, offering respect, gift cards and a chance to be truly seen.
“People don’t even look at me,” Smith said. “It’s a problem for all Americans.”
Through each encounter, Morrison hopes to leave lasting impressions.
“I’m hoping that the people of our community start to see things differently, and they might ask this question, ‘What can I do?’” Morrison said.
Dre Woods, another participant, spoke about his family and dreams. Woods asked for help to take care of his four-legged companion, Oreo.
“I’m trying to feed her, right? That’s my baby,” Woods shared, revealing the motivations that guide him.
Dozens of stories and plenty of surprises, all things that give an often unshared perspective.
“I be asking God what it is why I’m still here. A lot of my friends not hear no more and I think about that,” Woods said.
Each interaction serves as a reminder of humanity’s shared connections.
“I think that it would encourage someone to do just something once. Each person could do something one day at a time, to be profound,” Nielsen said.
For Morrison, these stories are part of a larger mission.
“Boy, has there been a rest of the story for some of these beautiful people,” he said, hoping to inspire others to view their communities with fresh eyes.
Each moment and interaction serves as a call to action: look closer; adjust the community’s vision; and see the intersection they pass by more clearly — as part of their own destination.
Head to the Marcus West End Cinema to see some of this year’s up-and-coming movies.
ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. — Editor’s Note: This video originally aired on Oct. 12, 2024.
Just in time for Halloween, the Twin Cities Film Fest has arrived and it features a movie perfect for spooky season.
“Don’t Move” will screen as part of the festival at 5:45 p.m. on Friday. Home grown directors Brian Netto and Adam Schindler visited KARE 11 News at Noon to share more about the showing.
The film is a thriller about a woman who is injected with a paralytic agent in a forest. She must fight for her life as her body slowly shuts down, according to a Twin Cities Film Fest release.
Netto and Schindler met at Woodbury Elementary School and have remained friends to this day. This will be their third film shown at the fest.
Tickets are $13 and you can learn more about this movie at this link. All film festival movies will be screened at the Marcus West End Cinema in St. Louis Park .
PRINCETON, Minn. — As many families fell on hard times due to hurricanes Helene and Milton, their pets have suffered too.
Ruff Start Rescue, headquartered in Princeton, Minn., rescued 24 animals from areas in Tennessee and North Carolina that were hit by hurricanes. Azure Davis, the founder and executive director, visited the KARE 11 studio to share more about these animals and how you can help.
For more information on Ruff Start Rescue and to look at adoptable animals, click here.
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