Fred de Sam Lazaro:
The plan would amend the Minneapolis charter, removing the police department and the city’s requirement to fund a minimum number of officers. There would instead be a Department of Public Safety that takes a — quote — “comprehensive public health approach,” including police officers, if necessary.
The department would report not just to the mayor, but also the City Council. And it would likely include social workers, housing experts, and mental health specialists.
Minneapolis resident Mercedes Stevenson welcomes the amendment. She’s a survivor of domestic violence.