Just a few weeks ago, a lower court in Minneapolis had struck down a ballot question asking voters whether or not they want to replace the Minneapolis Police department with a department of public safety. Hennepin County Judge Jamie Anderson called the ballot language “unreasonable and misleading.” Now, the Minnesota Supreme Court is reversing the lower court’s decision and allowing the question to be asked.
If voters agree on the measure of getting rid of the Minneapolis police department, then the city charter would replace the policing requirements with a “comprehensive public safety approach.” This would still include officers willing to fulfill the department’s responsibilities.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison tweeted his support of the measure, adding that countries need the possibility for reform and accountability. He said the current Charter is an “outdated model” for law enforcement and safety, adding that they are ready to end the cycle of inaction.
JaNaé Bates, a spokeswoman for Yes 4 Minneapolis, helped write the proposal and adds that they are incredibly thrilled that the people of Minneapolis can have their democracy honored. She said the Supreme Court recognizes that they are on the “right side” of the law, democracy, and history as we move forward. Leaders have tried to use “liberal word salad” to express how the department wouldn’t be completely abandoned, but that a new police department would be “entirely reimagined.” While police-abolition activists have been rooting for the measures, those who live in the city are not as thrilled for a “Department of Public Safety.”
The push for a charter change on Minneapolis residents comes as crime skyrockets in the city and police departments are experiencing a “lower morale” than ever. The city has cut funds for new police recruit classes and the department lost over 20% of its officers through retirement, medical leave, and resignations. Over the last year, the city has also experienced an increase in homicides and carjackings.
Many state residents and politicians, including former councilman Don Samuels, have sued to block the deceiving language of the ballot. Even after the Supreme Court ruling came down, Samuels emphasized how the ballot question is still incredibly “vague” and that their lawsuit brought significant improvement through the court process. He said they’ve spent lots of time and energy getting attention to the issue of the language and making it more cautionary for voters.
The ballot question comes after the May 2020 killing of George Floyd in police custody, which placed an emphasis on how the department balances public safety and enforcing crimes. Early voting for the Nov. 2 election kicks off a the end of this week.
Minneapolis would be the ultimate social experiment for proving Dems wrong on why the city shouldn’t go without a real police department. This will do nothing but overwhelm the system and punish the peaceful citizens trying to make it through the day. Some states have already started refunding their police departments and looking to recruit more officers after seeing violence tear through police-abandoned cities. The left has needed chaos for their political agenda to succeed and the George Floyd killing gave them that opportunity.
