Operation Safety Net: Minneapolis Leaders Give Update On Chauvin Trial Preps
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Keeping Minneapolis safe. That's the main goal as the city and the state prepare for the trial of the former officer charged with killing George Floyd.
City leaders are rolling out additional plans to ensure Minneapolis is ready for whatever happens before, during, and after the trial.
Concrete barriers, with barbed wire sandwiched in between, surround city hall and the Hennepin County Government Center. This is just one of several changes people will see as we move closer to the start date of Chauvin's trial, says Minneapolis Police Deputy Chief Erick Fors.
"You will also see additional fortification efforts going up around key infrastructure and police precincts over this week and the weeks to come," Fors said.
You'll also see an increased presence of police and military in commercial corridors across the city.
"The main focus is prevention," Fors said. "Prevention of property damage, arson and looting."
Police, the National Guard, Metro Transit and neighborhood groups will be linked together in a unified command. Metro Transit is working to identify and plan for potential disruptions to service. There are no plans to stop service to downtown Minneapolis, but detours around the Hennepin County Government Center are anticipated as the trial progresses.
Barriers are also in position to close some streets if needed. Beginning March 1, the street that runs underneath the Hennepin County Government Center -- 6th Street -- will be closed between 3rd and 4th avenues.
Businesses are getting help from the city with emergency preparedness, and spaces on the north and south ends of the government center are available for protestors.
Throughout all the security measures, Mayor Jacob Frey wants people to know Minneapolis is open for business. He wants people to continue working and visiting the city as usual.
Operation Safety Net is offering updates online as is the city of Minneapolis.
Derek Chauvin's trial is scheduled to start March 8.
