The City of Minneapolis Neighborhood Safety Department announced the launch of the City’s Community Safety Ambassador Pilot program to serve as a new neighborhood resource – directly engaging with area residents, visitors and business owners within the E. Lake Street and E. Franklin Avenue cultural districts. Inspired by a similar program based in Downtown Minneapolis, Community Safety Ambassadors will fill a needed role in the City’s new community safety ecosystem of prevention, response and restoration resources.
As they walk the streets wearing easily recognizable blue shirts, the community safety ambassadors will be an approachable and welcoming presence along the corridors. They will serve as a bridge to connect, inform, and have the capability to assist with safety concerns or other issues. Using a community-centered outreach focus of building trust and calming tensions, the community safety ambassadors will be able to provide intervention to deter or avoid violence. They will also offer outreach to address quality-of-life concerns. They will report hazards and emergencies to City contacts, as well as share information with community members about special events, businesses, and services found in the area. In the coming weeks, residents and business owners will be able to request services by calling or emailing the Community Safety Ambassador dispatch center for a more directed and immediate response to address issues, including safety concerns.
“The community safety ambassadors are one of the first pilots managed by NSD as we find innovative ways to build out our community safety ecosystem,” said Minneapolis Neighborhood Safety Department Director Amanda Harrington. “This service will increase safety through relationship building, space activation, and outreach. They will also practice the kind of collaboration recommended by the Safe and Thriving Communities Report.” Safety ambassadors will collaborate with local businesses, schools, Hennepin County, local police, and other organizations providing safety services.
After an extensive Requests-for-Proposal (RFP) process, Metro Youth Diversion Center was selected as the vendor for the pilot. With long standing ties to the community, they are committed to ensuring the success of the pilot while being a regular presence in these neighborhoods.
The pilot program, which received $3,000,000, will run through March 2026 with the option to continue for two additional years. The City will consider expanding the pilot to other areas of the city after the pilot has shown to be effective for at least six months.