MN Sports Team Leaders Want More Police to Protect Fans and Employees in Violent Minneapolis

They have all grown “increasingly concerned with what [they] see happening in downtown in terms of the rise in crime and [fan experience]”

Jacob Frey

On Sept. 24, Minnesota Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves and Lynx leaders wrote an opinion editorial that stated their support for more police officers in Minneapolis.

They have all grown “increasingly concerned with what [they] see happening in downtown in terms of the rise in crime and [fan experience]” said chief strategy officer for the Timberwolves and Lynx, Ted Johnson. Johnson also cited an increasing number of employees reporting downtown assaults.  

Steve Cramer, president and CEO of the Downtown Council and Downtown Improvement District spoke up saying that there has “just been a general sense that downtown has been a little less inviting from a safety standpoint. And that’s hard to measure but it’s real.” Cramer adds that in the downtown district police are “stretched way too thin.”

“The great news is that downtown Minneapolis is growing. But our police force must grow with it” the Op-Ed states. Leaders want fans to have a positive experience when attending games to help curb “negative story-sharing” that not only harms the teams but the city as well. 

From violent assaults and robberies in downtown Minneapolis to crime waves targeting the entire metro area, Minneapolis is seeing an increased need for public safety protection. The need for more police officers to protect community members has hit national news, as discussed by Representative Steve Drazcowski (R-Mazeppa) on the Laura Ingram Angle. 

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Megan Olson

Megan Olson is a 2020 graduate of the University of Minnesota with degrees in political science and history. She works in public affairs in addition to serving on the Legislative Advisory Council for School District 196. She is also on the school board for FIT academy, a charter school in Apple Valley.