Minneapolis Launches 2026 Summer Safety Plan

The City of Minneapolis is launching a coordinated, citywide Summer Safety Plan that outlines how the many components of the City's community safety network will collaborate throughout the summer to prevent violence, respond to emergencies, and ensure residents and visitors enjoy being in Minneapolis during this busy season.

We kick off our efforts with Operation Safe Summer. Led by the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), the initiative targeting individuals known to regularly engage in violent crime includes enforcement details involving multiple law enforcement and prosecution partners throughout the City of Minneapolis from June 1-6.

In its fifth year, the operation has resulted in dozens of arrests, the recovery of numerous guns, substantial amounts of illegal narcotics, and has helped reduce crime in the city.

The coordinated effort includes the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office (HCSO), Minnesota State Patrol, Metro Transit Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and the Plymouth Police Department.

Prioritizing prevention and community

The City's summer safety campaign will work to recognize and highlight the coordination between departments and community organizations working together to keep residents, community members and visitors safe. We prioritize prevention and community engagement programs focused on violence prevention, emergency preparedness, youth engagement, water and weather safety education - all through expanded community outreach.

The comprehensive strategy includes public safety planning for major summer events, including Pride, Taste of Minnesota, Aquatennial, the U.S. Special Olympics, WWE Summer Slam, Open Streets events, and other large public gatherings.

Violence Prevention

A safe summer starts with preventing gun violence. This month, we're also spotlighting City programs and our coordinated efforts to reduce gun violence during Gun Violence Awareness Month.

• City departments and community organizations are working together on enforcement, public messaging, and community outreach-promoting safe gun storage, closing open gun-related cases, expanding violence-prevention resources, engaging youth, and strengthening community-based intervention programs.
• The Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) will continue focused enforcement efforts aimed at reducing firearm violence by working closely with regional law enforcement partners to target the primary drivers of violent crime in Minneapolis.
• Officers not normally assigned to patrol will be participating in bike patrols, foot beats, or mounted patrol occurring on weekends through the summer - generally in neighborhoods with the most need for additional support. Known as Chief's beats, these will result in 30 more officers on the street - without increased overtime costs.
• The new Firearm Assault Shoot Team (FAST), the Violent Crime Apprehension Team (VCAT), as well as the weekend Curfew Task Force operations, expanded late-night safety efforts, and participation in the Hennepin County Auto Theft Task Force.

Real Results

Over recent years, the City's focused and coordinated public-safety strategies have delivered measurable, year-round results:

• Violent Crime: According to the City's Crime Dashboard, the 3-year averages of most violent crimes are down more than 20% - and in some cases, such as carjackings, down nearly 40%.
• Shots-Fired Calls: Year-to-date, the City's shots-fired calls are less than half what they were five years ago.
• Non-Fatal Shootings: Non-fatal shootings are down 56% - from 582 in 2021 to 255 in 2025.
• Community Feedback - City leaders are also hearing from residents in historically impacted neighborhoods who report feeling safer in their homes and communities.

We are making meaningful progress. But one crime is one too many. The City will continue to prioritize public safety and invest in strategies that ensure every resident feels safe in their home, their neighborhood, and across the community.

Safety is more than policing

In addition to our focus on reducing crime through policing, our other Office of Community Safety Departments protect property and lives in case of fire or severe weather through prevention methods, including 911 call takers dispatching the right help and ensuring everyone stays safe on the water.

Neighborhood Safety Department (NSD) programs complement the work of MPD and our law enforcement partners by expanding visibility and programmatic outreach during the summer months. The Community Safety Ambassadors, MinneapolUS violence interruption teams, and community-based violence partnerships will see increased coordination with city staff and others to better address concerns and connect residents with safety resources and services. The Neighborhood Safety Department has also expanded violence prevention coverage areas through updated service maps and community outreach zones.

The Minneapolis Fire Department is preparing for seasonal increases in emergency calls related to heat, severe weather, fires, water rescues, and emergency medical support for large public events. The department has enhanced water-rescue readiness with specialized boats positioned throughout the city and ongoing training in swift-water rescue operations. Fire officials will also focus on public education campaigns around life jacket use, water safety, fireworks safety, grilling safety, recreational fires, and heat-related illness prevention.

Emergency Management Department coordinates severe weather preparedness efforts, including public messaging around heat, storms, and air quality concerns.

Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center is increasing staffing during high-demand summer months and major city events. Additional coordination with 311 services and public information campaigns will help residents better understand when to call for emergency and non-emergency assistance.

This effort proved effective during last year's Fourth of July celebration. It led to a significant decrease in non-emergency calls to 911, which instead went to 311. As a result, 911 call takers and dispatchers were able to focus more on urgent calls for help.

For more information about summer safety events, tips, and resources, everyone is encouraged to follow official City social media channels throughout the summer.