City and County Officials Address Downtown Duluth Safety Concerns

DULUTH, Minn. — City and County officials met today to discuss the future of downtown Duluth, and what can be done to improve safety in the area.

With summer right around the corner, a Downtown Public Safety Meeting was held Wednesday.

Public safety leaders addressed concerns and questions on the safety of downtown.

Some of the priorities for this summer include reducing operations of the skywalk system to increase street level activity and increasing safety presence at street level.

Business owners and downtown residents are also encouraged to do their part, including calling the appropriate resources during a crisis or if they see someone in need.

“You are our economic engine in the downtown and canal Park area, and so we want to make sure that we are addressing some issues that are impacting your businesses, but also how you can become part of the solution. This is not all accomplished just by one organization or one entity,” Kristi Stokes, ‘Downtown Duluth’ President said.

Mayor Roger Reinert addressed public safety, graffiti, and trash, along with the need for business owners to maintain their properties.

The city’s goal is to create a clean, safe and welcoming environment to attract residents and tourists.

“We’re going to focus on the safe part, and we’ll do that in partnership with the county sheriff, even the State Patrol. And what we need the clean and safe team to do is focus on the clean, and that’s the graffiti, and that’s regular picking up trash, and that is leading on fixing things that are broken. You know, when things are clean, they feel safe, and when people feel safe, you actually are safer,” Mayor Reinert said.

Members of the public safety panel also emphasized the importance of mental health support services for people in need.