The Minneapolis Metropolis Council voted on July 20 to eradicate the previous Minneapolis Police Division (MPD) Third Precinct location that was burned and deserted within the days after George Floyd’s homicide for consideration for a brand new police station.
Following adverse suggestions towards the outdated location from residents, the council voted 12-1 to look elsewhere for a brand new station, with Council Vice President Linea Palmisano (Ward 13) because the lone opposition.
The outdated location, situated on the nook of Lake Road and Minnehaha Avenue, was the previous office of officer Derek Chauvin, whose killing of George Floyd sparked the protests in Might 2020. The Third Precinct was set on fireplace and closely broken in the course of the civil unrest following Floyd’s homicide.
For a lot of residents, the outdated location is a traumatic reminder of MPD’s historical past of police brutality.
Black Lives Matter Minnesota Founder Trahern Crews stated a systemic tradition change of MPD is what is going to restore belief between the neighborhood and MPD.
“The Minneapolis Police Division as an entire has discriminated and practiced racism in opposition to Black residents, and I believe that inside itself is traumatizing,” Crews stated.
Town initially despatched a survey to residents lined by the Third Precinct the place they may select to rebuild within the outdated location or a dearer location 4 blocks north of the outdated one. Respondents additionally had the selection so as to add a touch upon the underside of the shape with any feedback or considerations.
Out of three,620 individuals who started the web survey, round 23% selected the brand new, dearer choice and round 44% selected to rebuild within the outdated location.
Though the survey solely had two choices, 10% of respondents selected the random choice and within the remark part stated they didn’t need both choice or to not rebuild the station in any respect. The remaining respondents both didn’t full the survey or didn’t stay inside the Third Precinct’s borders.
Vice President of Communities United Towards Police Brutality Dave Bicking stated reforming MPD is required earlier than they attempt to rebuild the station.
“We now have bought to repair the police division first earlier than we repair the buildings,” Bicking stated. “The buildings are usually not the issue.”
Council member Jason Chavez (Ward 9), who launched the movement, thanked residents for his or her enter in a press release and stated the choice to solely have two choices with restricted neighborhood engagement was “shortsighted.”
Bicking stated this struggle exhibits town’s unwillingness to alter and the neighborhood’s need for it.
“All of the indicators are town goes to withstand all the pieces to take care of the established order,” Bicking stated. “So long as that’s the case, persons are going to push again.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey in a July 17 press convention stated Century Plaza will home the Third Precinct. Century Plaza is situated within the First Precinct constructing just a few blocks away from the Third Precinct.
Whereas Century Plaza is the present dwelling of the First Precinct police station, this new plan would add additional flooring to the constructing for using the Third Precinct officers pending council approval.
For the reason that outdated precinct constructing was deserted, Third Precinct officers have been stationed out of a downtown location.
Whereas no plan for the location of the burned station has been made, the council vowed to not use the placement for any police-related functions as part of their vote on July 20.
Crews prompt the location be became a memorial for victims of police brutality or used for housing.
Chavez stated town wants to maneuver away from the location of the burned station so the neighborhood can heal and transfer ahead.
“It’s time to shut this chapter so our neighborhood can start to heal and to allow them to determine what non-police capabilities of Lake and Minnehaha will appear to be,” Chavez stated within the assertion.