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Minneapolis leaders push for more oversight on public safety
The plan centers itself around unarmed public safety initiatives, some of which will be implemented in step with policing.
MINNEAPOLIS — You may remember the Safe and Thriving Communities plan Mayor Jacob Frey presented a year ago.
The 10-year plan on how to improve services got folks excited about the direction Minneapolis is heading. The plan discussed collaboration with nonprofits, embedding social workers with police, reforming emergency response and investment in reentry services — just to name a few.
Council Member Robin Wonsley says the progress on that plan hasn’t been trackable, and they never officially adopted it. Now, the Public Health and Safety Committee is trying to solidify plans.
“We don’t want to have this conversation again next summer,” said Wonsley, who is also the vice chair of the committee. “It is so critical that the mayor and his administration, as well as City Council and the public, is crucial for us to be aligned on how we move forward on public safety.”
During the committee meeting Wednesday council members discussed implementation, a process in which they weren’t all in agreement. At times, Wonsley and committee member Linea Palmisano argued over the intention of the bill. Wonsley discussed the council’s weakness for not officially adopting the plan a year ago. When Palmisano asked whether that was the intention, Wonsley said it wasn’t.
“This essentially allows council to use our oversight and budgetary authority and alignment with the administration implementation goals are as it pertains to the Safe and Thriving Communities Report and Plan.”
Challenges facing the plan include funding, which members acknowledge will be a battle.
“We want to make the commitment today that City Council is ready to fund these initiatives, to fund this plan, to make sure that it is implemented correctly and that the public has time to weigh in on how we’re going to keep all residents in the city of Minneapolis safe,” said Chair Jason Chavez.
The public will have 45 days to comment on the plan. The hope for some council members is that once feedback is incorporated, the full council could consider a legislative directive in the fall.
Last week, prosecutors charged John Sawchak with attempted 2nd-degree murder and other felony charges after he allegedly shot his neighbor Davis Moturi.
MINNEAPOLIS — Following the shooting between two neighbors, the Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously to request that the city’s auditor conduct an independent investigation into the incidents and cases between Davis Moturi and John Sawchak.
Moturi was allegedly shot by his neighbor, Sawchak, on Wednesday, Oct. 23 but Minneapolis police did not arrest Sawchak until days later.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara defended not arresting Sawchak sooner, calling it a “high-risk” situation. O’Hara later said the victim, who had complained about harassment from Sawchak for months, was failed by police. Sawchak was arrested this past weekend after an hours-long standoff.
Moturi suffered a fractured spine, two broken ribs, and a concussion in the shooting. “Mr. Moturi’s life matters and I’m sorry that for nearly a year, MPD did not treat it like it did,” said Council Member Robin Wonsley in a news release, “Today’s vote affirms that the City Council is committed to taking meaningful actions towards accountability and restoration, starting with this independent review.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey released this statement:
“Mayor Frey fully supports an independent review of this incident. The mayor and City are committed to always doing better, and this means closely examining past actions and finding where there may be ways to improve and grow. The mayor extends his condolences to Davis Moturi, his wife, Caroline, and their family and friends. The safety of our residents is a top priority and any form of violence or hate speech is completely unacceptable and does not align with who we are as a community. Brian O’Hara will continue to be the Minneapolis Police Chief.”
“This Valentine’s Day, 2025, will mark the five-year anniversary of the premiere of ‘Love is Blind,” Vanessa said on the Season 7 finale. “And, it is gonna be the launch of Season 8, which takes place in Minneapolis.”
The episode also revealed three of the new cast members, one of whom, “Alex,” told Lachey Minneapolis is “not like a major city, but it’s also not a small town,” which he said is just one of the obstacles in his way of finding the one.
“I just never found the right person that clicked for me,” he said.
Meantime, you can bone up on Seasons 1-7 streaming now on Netflix.
MINNEAPOLIS — How much do you know about your grandma’s upbringing?
“The Stories From My Grandmother’s Hands” is a book that aims to show young Black children how their grandmas lived through beautiful illustrations and descriptions.
KARE 11 News at Noon shared more on Thursday about the impact that this book will have.
