Brooklyn Park Reviews Results of New Policing Study
Policing has been under the microscope, especially after the officer-involved killings of George Floyd and Daunte Wright. Now, a new extensive study is released that impacts the city of Brooklyn Park.
Last fall, the city hired St. Paul-based Wilder Research to evaluate policing, community safety and violence prevention. The report comes at a time when gun violence in Brooklyn Park is at an all-time high.
Researchers unveiled their findings during Monday’s city council meeting. They have been collecting data since December. The nonprofit interviewed 50 people who live or work in the community for the study.
“The purpose of the study was to understand the root cause of violence in Brooklyn Park. We were also charged with developing recommendations,” said Julie Atella with Wilder Research.
The report produced three fundamental changes the city could make to improve public safety. The first would increase focusing on prevention. The city’s youth outreach team is already working toward that goal. The group, known as the “blue shirt crew,” is often used to de-escalate situations.
A second recommendation calls for improving early intervention and mental health programs. The third recommended change focuses on policies to improve the police department.
Gunfire that recently struck Nice Family African Market in Brooklyn Park.
Report Suggests Ways Policing Can Improve
The Wilder Research report included suggestions to improve policing. Those include putting limitations on warrantless searches, emphasizing de-escalation tactics and having officers become more proactive identifying themselves when arriving on the scene.
Most of the city council members had a favorable response to the study, though some offered concerns.
“I have a real concern for non-police telling police officers what their job is, a real concern about that,” said Brooklyn Park City Council member Terry Parks.
CCX News reached out to Brooklyn Park police for reaction on the Wilder Research policing study. A spokesperson for the department says Brooklyn Park police are still reviewing the lengthy report before providing feedback. Meanwhile, the city council will review the findings further in an upcoming work session.
