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U of M Police consider adding Dinkytown “safety center”
It’s not clear where the center would be located, but UMPD envisions the concept as a central hub for police, students and community groups.
MINNEAPOLIS — University of Minnesota Police are exploring the addition of a “safety center” somewhere in the heart of Dinkytown, in response to lingering crime concerns in the off-campus neighborhood comprised mostly of students.
UMPD Chief Matt Clark unveiled the proposal during a Board of Regents presentation on Friday. Although details remain scarce, the safety center would essentially act as a central hub for police, students and community groups. Along with the safety center, Clark said his department also plans to expand a mutual aid agreement with Minneapolis Police — which holds primary jurisdiction over Dinkytown — by assisting them with more non-emergency 911 calls in the area.
“We believe an off-campus safety center would be a valuable resource for the campus community, but it would also be a location for our safety ambassadors, some of our community elders we work with, especially in the summer, and our first responders to go to at night,” Clark said. “We think not only answering lower-level calls and expanding our mutual aid, but also adding an off-campus safety center would be beneficial.”
Clark did not say how much the project might cost, nor did he say where exactly the safety center would be located. However, he said the department is exploring options to either lease a private building or use existing university-owned space in Dinkytown.
The center could open as early as the fall, according to Clark.
“The idea behind that is investing more in an area of Dinkytown that has safety issues,” Clark said.
During Friday’s meeting, Clark reported a 60-percent drop in violent crime in Dinkytown from 2021 to 2023. Although his department does not have primary jurisdiction over the area, UMPD has assisted MPD with security cameras and the presence of at least two police officers each night.
Still, some high-profile incidents — such as a double homicide last December at a tobacco shop — show there’s more work to be done.
U of M sophomore Dave Cornell said he thought the safety center sounded like a “good idea.”
“I do [already] see patrol cars out and about, and that does make me feel safer,” he said, “just to see their presence.”
Erin Brumm, a director on the board of the parent-led nonprofit Campus Safety Coalition, said she’s “very, very supportive” of the concept and urged the Board of Regents to move the proposal forward.
“Honestly, we can’t wait until it opens,” Brumm said. “It’s such a ripe time to have something like that down in that environment. I really hope people get behind it.”
Regent James Farnsworth also expressed enthusiasm.
“I think the Dinkytown Safety Center is a tremendous idea,” Farnsworth told KARE 11, “and I’d like us to be able to move on opening it sooner than the fall.”
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“The Power of a Transformed Woman” is Twyla Martin’s raw, unapologetic story about strength, transformation and rising above trauma.
ST PAUL, Minn. — A Minnesota author and motivational speaker has written a new book and is holding a panel discussion.
“The Power of a Transformed Woman” is Twyla Martin’s raw, unapologetic story about strength, transformation, and rising above trauma.
On Friday, Nov. 1, Martin will speak with a panel at CSPS Hall in St. Paul about her book release.
- Twyla Martin – Author
- Nekima Levy Armstrong – Civil rights attorney, activities, and community organizer
- Chantel Sings – Powerhouse vocalist, songwriter, and performer
- Ashley DuBose – Singer, songwriter
- Jamela Pettiford – Vocalist and actress
- Lissa Jones – Speaker, advocate for African American history and culture
- Robin Hickman-Winfield – Producer, filmmaker, and CEO of SoulTouch Productions
- Alana Carrington – Creative professional with expertise in the arts, education, and community development
The letter penned by Lakes Area Vineyard lead pastor Troy Easton said Beau Shroyer of Detroit Lakes was “killed in an act of violence while serving Jesus” in Angola.
DETROIT LAKES, Minn. — The leader of a church in northwestern Minnesota announced in a letter to his congregation that one of its members was killed during a Christian mission trip to Africa.
The letter penned by Lakes Area Vineyard lead pastor Troy Easton said Beau Shroyer of Detroit Lakes was “killed in an act of violence while serving Jesus” in Angola, and that many details about Shroyer’s death are still unknown.
“At this point, there are many details about what’s happened that are still unknown, however, we have been in contact with his wife Jackie, and are doing what we can to come alongside them in this shocking and awful time,” the pastor’s letter said.
According to Easton, Shroyer and his wife shared five children.
Arrangements to celebrate Shroyer’s life are still uncertain, the letter read, but Easton said the church will share updates with the public when more information becomes available.
Easton’s letter indicates Shroyer was in Africa with SIM USA, an organization long involved in “cross-cultural missions.”
Investigators say 27-year-old Mayan Deng Mayan shot a man following an argument at the unlicensed party at an Uptown business.
MINNEAPOLIS — A man will serve a sentence of more than 34 years in prison after pleading guilty in a fatal shooting at an after-hours party in Minneapolis.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office says 27-year-old Mayan Deng Mayan was sentenced to 414 months, or 34 1/2 years in prison for the murder, which took place outside an Uptown Minneapolis business that was holding an after-bar party the morning of Sept. 18, 2022.
Police were dispatched to the Fade Barber Shop on the 1600 block of Harmon Place just before 5:30 a.m. and found 28-year-old Birahim Gildersleve of Rochester suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds.
Gildersleve was rushed to Hennepin County Medical Center but did not survive.
Investigators learned the shooting followed a verbal argument outside the party and used surveillance video and a license plate reader to identify Mayan as the shooter. He was subsequently charged with second-degree murder.
“Mr. Mayan took the life of Birahim Gildersleve and in doing so, devastated Mr. Gildersleve’s loved ones and damaged a community,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “There is no sentence that can repair the harm, but today’s sentence delivers accountability for Mr. Mayan and is in the interest of public safety.”
Mayan will be credited for 585 days already served.
