A member of the Minneapolis Police Department marks a tent for removal at an encampment in Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo credit (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS (KFGO-WCCO) – The Minneapolis Police Department is reporting early success in its plan to prevent homeless encampments from forming.
Police Chief Brian O’Hara issued a special order in January directing officers to proactively intervene when they notice tents or other signs an encampment is taking shape.
Since then, officers have prevented at least eight from forming.
O’Hara says the camps pose a particularly difficult problem when they spill into the community.
“When these things form, crime dramatically increases in and around the encampments, both property crime, and drug use,” he explains. “And unfortunately, last year, violence, and it’s just – it’s been terrible.”
Long term, O’Hara says the biggest underlying issue that needs to be addressed is illegal drug use. He says just this week officers found a seven-month old infant in a stolen vehicle unrestrained and who had been exposed to fentanyl.
“Thank God that infant was ok,” O’Hara said. “And then we had two other infants in January that nearly died from being exposed to fentanyl.”
O’Hara says last year encampment-related violence reached crisis levels with 15 fatal shootings and 387 overdose calls.
The MPD says they “remain committed to ensuring public safety and working with partners across the city enterprise to advocate for long-term solutions that address homelessness and addiction in Minneapolis.”
Since the order took effect, MPD officers say they have successfully intervened in several instances including:
January 10 – Officers recovering a stolen vehicle in the 3100 block of Harriet Ave S discovered two tents on a vacant, fire-damaged property. The occupants left voluntarily. (CN 25-8150)
January 12 – A shelter obstructing an alley in the 1200 block of Lagoon Ave was removed. One occupant with a warrant was arrested. Later, a second shelter was found in the same alley, where officers arrested a non-compliant sex offender with multiple warrants and suspected narcotics. (CNs 25-10121, 25-10178)
January 22 – Officers found three tents in a public right-of-way near Lyndale Ave & Franklin Ave, along with drug paraphernalia. One person with a warrant was arrested, while others left after refusing assistance. (CN 25-18250)
January 29 – Officers clearing an encampment near 12th Ave & 28th St E recovered two stolen e-bikes, returning one to its owner. (CN 25-023537)
January 30 – Officers responded to 2800 block of 14th Ave S, where individuals were cutting through fencing at a former encampment site. Multiple people fled, and two were cited for trespassing. Officers repaired the fencing and ensured signage was visible. (CN 25-025073)
February 26 – After 911 calls from neighbors, officers prevented an encampment from forming in an empty lot at 2115-2123 5th Ave S, where seven tents had already been set up. Occupants dismantled their tents without incident after officers informed them of city ordinance 244.60
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