By Rich Larson, News Director
As the state prepares for the Derek Chauvin trial next month, Governor Tim Walz has found obstacles on both sides of the aisle as he tries to procure
extra security funding for Minneapolis. Walz is working to ensure that the sort of violence that broke out last summer in the wake of George Floyd’s death does not happen again.
While Metro Democrats have objected to the lack of police reform measures in the bill, Republicans have said they are unwilling to help Minneapolis pay for police security because they have not done enough to bolster their own police force, even accusing Minneapolis of cutting their department. Republicans have also objected, because Minneapolis has yet to repay the cities who sent extra law enforcement to help in the midst of last summer’s riots.
State Senator Rich Draheim said last week that he is not going to support the City of Minneapolis, because of the mistakes they have made. Representative Todd Lippert, however, has a very different take on the matter.
Lippert said on Friday, a day after a version of the Governor’s bill was voted down in the House of Representatives, that this is an important moment for the state of Minnesota to come together. Lippert said the state itself has a responsibility to protect everyone, and those refuse to help Minneapolis are only contributing to the problem.
“Aren’t we in this together? We’re one state, right? Those who are currently under indictment for the destruction that happened in Minneapolis, so many of them were from cities across Minnesota; 16 or 17 states. How would we like it in Northfield if others came from outside of our city to our town to cause destruction and the rest of the state didn’t want to help? We’re in this together and we have to change this sort of rhetoric.”
With the bill defeated in the House, and little support for it in the Republican controlled Senate, it is unclear what move the governor will make next.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Representative Todd Lippert can be heard here.
Northfield bodycam program has heavy support, some resistance
Northfield Police Chief Mark Elliott said on Thursday that he is still hopeful that the Northfield Police Department would begin using body worn cameras sometime this summer.
The city budget has $100,000 earmarked for the purchase of the equipment to implement a body cam program, and it is something the city has discussed for more nearly five years. Northfield is one of the few police departments in the state that does not currently use body worn cameras. No other police force the size of Northfield’s, or larger, does not have them, and in fact both St. Olaf and Carleton College public safety forces wear them.
Two weeks ago, during a city council work session, the council took the discussion up again, and the subject was also raised last week during the council meeting as the Police Policy Task Force presented their final report. The thirteen-member task force gave unanimous approval to the use of body cams, with many members expressing surprise that the department was not already using them. However, City Councilor Suzie Nakasian has expressed skepticism about the Northfield PD’s need for body cameras. Nakasian has said more than once that she does not believe spending $100,000 on a body camera program is warranted in Northfield.
Chief Elliott said that the use of body cameras has several benefits. It provides extra layers of protection for both the police and those interacting with the police. The video taken from body worn cameras is admissible as evidence in trial, there are supervisory and training benefits to body cams – particularly with newer officers, and most of all, Elliott said, with body cameras there are rarely unanswered questions.
“I think it’s one of those things that holds police officers accountable and holds the public accountable as well. And really, we’re looking for that transparency and accountability. And body cameras provide that.”
A public hearing for the use and acquisition of body cameras will be held during the next council meeting on March 2nd. After that the police department will bring in bids for the equipment and management of the program, and report that back to the council. The city council is expected to vote on the issue most likely at the beginning of April.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Chief Mark Elliott can be heard here
St. Olaf Avenue closed at east entrance to St. Olaf College
And St. Olaf Avenue will be closed at the east entrance of the St. Olaf Campus beginning today, and will be closed for nearly two weeks, through
Friday, March 5, due to work related to the St. Olaf student housing project.
A detour will be posted using Lincoln Street, Armstrong Road, and Highway 19 directing traffic around the closure area.
The closure is expected to affect the area on Highway 19 near the south entrance of the St. Olaf campus, where an increase in traffic will naturally occur.
The City of Northfield is urging motorists to always drive with caution, slow down in work zones, and never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones.
