Lawmaker and Retired Deputy Sheriff Issues Statement on Decision to Continue Stepped Up Patrols in Minneapolis

(KNSI) — Representative Paul Novotny says state police reinforcements staying put in Minneapolis are “good news” for residents.

Novotny, a former Princeton police officer, and Sherburne County Sheriff’s Deputy, said he wished action was taken sooner as residents have “suffered from the consequences of rising levels of violent crime and inaction from their elected officials. Despite this positive step, Gov. [Tim] Walz’s move is a short-term solution for a long-term problem that we have seen unfolding for more than two years.”

Novotny continued, “I have proposed a multi-jurisdictional approach to address violent crime in the metro area since being elected in February 2020, before COVID, and before the May 2020 riots. My latest proposal does not rely solely on the State Patrol and BCA agents. While State Troopers have done a great job of interrupting the lawlessness in the metro area, Gov. Walz is nevertheless pulling them away from other parts of the state that depend on them to keep their communities and highways safe. That’s why a multi-jurisdictional approach would be the best path forward. Finally, I hope that Gov. Walz’s newfound interest in public safety doesn’t end on November 9th and that he commits to working with us to support public safety for all Minnesotans.”

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz last week said the state troopers and agents from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension would remain on their assignments in Minneapolis to help supplement a severely depleted Minneapolis Police Department. Minnesota State Troopers and agents from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension were deployed to Minneapolis after a wild and violent Fourth of July that saw at least 12 shootings, one stabbing, and 1,300 police calls for service in eight hours, with just 80 officers to handle them all. Groups of young people were street racing, shooting fireworks at buildings, passing cars and even pedestrians for several hours downtown with little to no police presence.

The Department of Public Safety and the BCA were granted a combined $5 million in May to support anti-crime initiatives. Two million dollars was also given to the DPS Survivor Support grant program to assist state agencies in supporting Minneapolis.

___