Strong Opinions On Proposed Public Safety Plan; Duluth Mayor, Chiefs Encourage More

DULUTH, Minn. — One day after a standing-room only council meeting, the city of Duluth’s top public safety leaders are reacting to 3.5 hours of public comments and dialogue about Mayor Roger Reinert’s proposed ordinance changes to get tougher on non-violent crime.

Property damage, graffiti, illegal dumping and camping on public property are among the non-violent crimes that would become misdemeanor offenses instead of fines.

But opponents, especially homeless advocates, believe the city’s most vulnerable populations are being unfairly targeted.

On Tuesday, Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa and Fire Chief Shawn Krizaj were the main speakers at a Downtown Duluth public safety meeting with local business leaders.

Both officials said they continue to encourage community feedback.  They said the amended ordinances are not aimed at putting people in jail, but rather having more authority to handle repeat offenders and include alternative types of prosecution like court-ordered community service.

“The only enforcement tool that we have currently is administrative citation. Essentially, that’s a fine, we can give someone a fine up to $1,000. We have no real other options. The big thing is getting people to services. We know we can’t fine them, we can’t give them a fee, we can’t necessarily put them in jail. That might take them out of the system for a short time, but they’ll come back. There will be repeat offenders. So we’re looking for some ways to try and get people into services. A pathway to these services and to some of the other options that we have through our court system,” said Fire Chief Krizaj.  “It’s not meant to criminalize people.”

One of the more visual camping scenes on city property is outside City Hall. It’s been there since May as a pro-Palestine protest.

The city has not arrested anybody there. And while it’s OK to protest on city property, the proposed amended ordinance would make it illegal to actually camp out there. Right now, it’s only illegal to camp in public parks.

“Our goal is to have compassion with accountability, because I think that’s what we are as a community. We understand that there are no throw-away people. We need to try to work with people. And as a city with no Public Health Services Division, we are reliant on our partners and our relationships that we have built. But we are the gateway, because people first call us is often to 911.” said Police Chief Micke Ceynowa.

The council has recently received dozens and dozens of emails for and against the proposed public safety ordinances.

Mayor Reinert took to social media Tuesday to encourage the public discussion to continue (see below).

The city council will have a second read on the ordinances July 29, followed by a potential vote.