MINNEAPOLIS - Minneapolis police officials have proposed hiring more officers to serve the increasing populations of University of Minnesota neighborhoods despite backlash from community groups.
Minnesota Daily reports that Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minneapolis Police Department Chief Medaria Arradondo proposed the increase in February. It seeks to maintain a ratio of about two officers per 1,000 citizens.
Cody Hoerning is a board member of the Southeast Como Improvement Association. He says adding officers would help address safety concerns as more residents move into neighborhoods around the university.
Police Department Inspector Todd Loining says additional officers could mean quicker response times.
Michelle Gross is president of Communities United Against Police Brutality. She said she's concerned that increasing police staffing will limit resources for alternative projects, such as mental health programs.
