URGENT PUBLIC SAFETY MESSAGE – SATURDAY 5/30/20

Community Partners,

PLEASE SHARE this information on social and other means you have. We know concerned community members want to help.  The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is asking all local communities to NOT be in the streets tonight, for any reason.

• The situation has shifted. The coordinated response tonight will be different.
• The coordinated National Guard, State Patrol, and Law enforcement presence will triple in size – and it continues to grow.
• This response is to address a sophisticated network of urban warfare. We expect the individuals involved to use deadly force – both with fires and other weapons.
• A primary tactic they have used is to locate civilians and use them as both shields from law enforcement and distractions to effective response.
• YOU MUST STAY IN PLACE.
• Do not patrol, do not be out walking, do not drive your car unless is it an emergency situation.
• We cannot have innocent people caught up in the sweep of those inflicting violence and danger on our communities.
• These people are sophisticated and coordinated and we need to allow our law enforcement to focus response and resources on the legitimate threats attacking our communities.
• Just because you don’t see the coordinated response – such as National Guard soldiers, know that they are out in the community. DO NOT ASSUME THAT YOU ARE NOT BEING SEEN BY THEM. Our response teams have airborne surveillance. If you are out patrolling the street, our response teams cannot know if you are there to do damage or to protect and will divert resources to find out.
• If you are out, you are making the response operation more difficult. You are taking resources and attention away from effectively responding to threats.
• Protecting and keeping watch from safe, non-mobile locations is fine.

Governor Walz will be holding a press conference at 6:30 p.m. to provide an update on the state’s response to protests and public safety concerns in Minnesota.

Here are some other ideas for you and your neighbors.

• CONNECT WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS, let them know you are here.  Consider a block meeting, virtual or before curfew.
• Stay INSIDE AFTER CURFEW.  Law enforcement will assume anyone violating curfew is out for bad reasons. The goal is to keep the streets clear of people for the National Guard.
• REPORT DANGEROUS OR SUSPICIOUS PEOPLE OR ACTIVITIES to 911. This will help law enforcement track criminal movements.
• LOCK gates and all doors.
• Leave your LIGHTS ON.
• Consider using TEXT THREADS to communicate with your neighbors.
• Please LOCK UP ALL TRASH CANS, GRILLS, PROPANE TANKS (into a garage if you can) or anything that might attract attention to burn, even patio furniture.
• If you face a dangerous situation, REMAIN NON-CONFRONTATIONAL.
• Discuss with people on your block who has GARDEN HOSES, 5 GALLON BUCKETS and EXTINGUISHERS. In a worst-case scenario you may consider dousing small flames if the fire department cannot come. This is all at your own risk and no recommendation is being stated here, except to just consider your resources.
• If you have a back-yard COMPOST BIN, consider watering it down so it wouldn’t be flammable.
• Have keys and a small bag of essentials ready if you need to evacuate and know where you will go if you have to evacuate.
• There will be updates every four hours from the Governor. Please keep updated with local news.

Details of the continued curfew include:

1.   A nighttime curfew is imposed in all public places within the City of Minneapolis, including streets, during the following times:

b. From 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 30 until 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 31.

2.   During the hours of curfew, all persons must not travel on any public street or in any public place.

3.   All law enforcement, fire, and medical personnel, as well as other personnel authorized by the City of Minneapolis, City of St. Paul, MN Department of Public Safety, Minnesota State Patrol, or Minnesota National Guard, are exempt from the curfew. Individuals seeking exempt care, fleeing dangerous circumstances, or experiencing homelessness are also exempt.

Click here to read the entire Emergency Regulation Proclamation