Crime, Law and Justice

Policing and Black men: Is building trust possible? One Minneapolis group’s effort
Policing in America is polarizing. Minneapolis police officers and Black community members are working on repairing their relationship — by learning the history and legacy of slavery.
Feeding our Future case expands, 10 more charged, at least 70 took part in conspiracy
Prosecutors have charged another 10 people allegedly connected to the Twin Cities nonprofit Feeding our Future. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minneapolis now says 70 people took part in a conspiracy to steal at least $250 million from government nutrition programs meant for children in need.
Many cities have anti-crime laws. The DOJ says one in Minnesota harmed people with mental illness
Hundreds of U.S. communities have enacted “crime-free” laws encouraging and allowing landlords to evict tenants after repeated calls to police or for emergency services. Proponents say the laws help reduce crime, but the U.S. Department of Justice last year found Anoka, Minn., used its ordinance to illegally discriminate against people with mental illnesses. 
How St. Paul took on rising car thefts — and brought the numbers down
Although it saw a surge, car thefts in St. Paul have since fallen dramatically, and local officials say a focus on prevention and youth intervention likely has made the difference.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating after a police officer reportedly shot a man in Willmar Sunday morning who was alleged to be threatening a victim with a knife.
Fire that damaged offices of Minnesota conservative organizations being investigated as arson
A fire last weekend at a Golden Valley building housing the offices of several conservative organizations is being investigated as arson. The organizations say they believe they were targeted for their political stances.
New law could mean hurdles for trooper charged in fatal shooting of motorist
Murder, assault and manslaughter charges against a Minnesota State Patrol trooper who fatally shot a motorist last July could test a state law revised in the wake of George Floyd’s killing that aims to force officers to better specify the reasons they used deadly force.
Tom Cotton grills Singaporean TikTok CEO: Are you a Chinese Communist?
TikTok faced scrutiny Wednesday along with other social media sites over child safety. But its Singaporean CEO was grilled over his nationality when a senator repeatedly asked whether he has CCP ties.
After investigation reveals repeated civil rights violations, monitor chosen to oversee MPD reforms
The group Effective Law Enforcement For All will monitor the MPD’s compliance with both the court-enforced settlement agreement with the state as well as an expected federal consent decree.