7 Minneapolis organizations tapped to assist with community patrols during Chauvin trial

Starting next week, there will be more community patrols in Minneapolis to help during the trial of Derek Chauvin.

Minneapolis city leaders made this announcement Thursday during an update on Operation Safety Net surrounding security during the trial.

The city selected seven different organizations to partner with, and they’ll be helping in a variety of ways.

"Being destructive and tearing our city up is not going to give us the results we’re looking for," said Trahern Pollard, founder and CEO of We Push for Peace.

Pollard started We Push For Peace nearly a decade ago. His nonprofit works with young people to help change their lives through mental health support, job placement and an overall positive influence.

"It’s very heartwarming, it is because that’s what I sought out to do, I sought out to just make a difference," Pollard said.

Thursday, his team discussed plans as they were picked to help with community patrols during the Derek Chauvin trial.

"With us going down there while the trial is going on, it’s just for us to interact with the public and the individuals that are down there. Just about all of them know us, so they respect us," Pollard said.

"We’re very much in this together," Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said. "Thank you to all of our Minneapolis residents that have gone through just a barrage of trauma over this last year."

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Starting next week, seven organizations will help with community patrols thanks to a new partnership with the city’s Office of Violence and Prevention:

• A Mother’s Love Initiative
• The Center for Multicultural Mediation
• The Native American Community Development Institute
• Corcoran Neighborhood Organization and T.O.U.C.H. Outreach
• Restoration Incorporated
• We Push For Peace
• Change Equals Opportunity

The programs will last through the trial and beyond and cost the city about $1 million.

"Trauma and healing services, food distribution, this is really about engaging with our community during a very tense time," said Sasha Cotton, director of the Office of Violence and Prevention for the City of Minneapolis.

Cotton says these groups will be easily identifiable in uniforms but won’t in any way replace the work of Minneapolis police officers.

"What we’re talking about is proactive engagement," Cotton said.

"It’s rewarding, it’s rewarding," Pollard said.

Pollard said this is essentially a continuation of the work they’ve been doing and they’re ready for the challenge.

"I think it has the potential to be very successful," Pollard said.

Minneapolis police provided an update at Thursday’s press conference saying so far there have been no protester-related arrests and no substantial property damage since the Chauvin trial began. Plus, they haven’t received any credible threats as a result of the trial.