Collaborative Effort Called Safe Streets Initiative Launched Monday

(KNSI) — If it seems like you see more police around town, it’s not your imagination. It’s the Safe Streets Initiative or SSI.

It launched on Monday, and it’s a collaborative effort between local police departments and the Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, Morrison County Sheriff’s Offices, and the Minnesota State Patrol. St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis says crime statistics are down, but “We could talk about statistics and we will when we go through this process and later on, you’ll see it’s a safe city. In fact, in a lot of categories, they’re down from last year, and they’re down actually over the 30-year period, but people need to feel safe.”

There has been a recent spate of shootings, including a quadruple shooting last month. Three men are accused of shooting at a group of people in an alley on July 6th. The shooting allegedly stemmed from a fight the night before. A 15-year-old boy, a 19-year-old, and two 21-year-olds were hurt in that shooting. Two suspects have been arrested and charged. A third suspect is still on the loose.

Mayor Kleis presented his proposed 2023 budget at Monday night’s city council meeting. The largest increase in spending would be in public safety. The money would go for more equipment and hiring six new officers.

The public can comment on the budget during a hearing on September 12th.

St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis joined KNSI’s Bob Hughes on Tuesday morning to discuss the 2023 budget and its emphasis on public safety. He said hiring plans are in the works for additional police by the city, but it is more comprehensive than just traditional law enforcement.

Kleis says, “We’re adding in this budget six additional police officers, a firefighter, animal control officer, and someone in the attorney’s office. Those are all public safety. You can arrest somebody but you still gotta prosecute, and that’s what our attorneys do. Animal control has become a public issue.”

Kleis says he views a city’s government as having two main functions, ensuring public safety and maintaining and developing infrastructure. Input will be taken through the fall with a vote expected in December.

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Reporter Grant Dossetto contributed to this article.

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