Champlin neighbors react to heightened security at home of former officer Kim Potter
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A heavy police presence is set up around former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter’s home.
Potter was charged Wednesday with second-degree manslaughter following the traffic-stop shooting death of Daunte Wright.
Barricades, fences and around-the-clock police presence surrounding Potter’s home have jarred residents in the neighborhood.
"I thought, ‘What in the world happened now?’" said LouAnn, who lives in the neighborhood.
At first, it prompted confusion for neighbors like LouAnn.
The home of Kim Potter in Champlin.[KSTP]
"I walked down the street and I saw the fence and the barricade and I thought oh this is where she lives," LouAnn said.
In light of the recent events, Champlin police posted on Facebook that they "will be in contact with the neighborhood and the residents that have the highest likelihood of encountering protests."
Daunte Wright family calls for stiffer charge against ex-cop
"The neighbors were talking and everybody was on edge," said Tom McGuire, who lives in Potter’s neighborhood.
So far things have remained calm. Neighbor Tom McGuire says he appreciates the communication from city leaders and talked about the heightened security.
"I’m surprised, it just seems like there is a lot of protection but like I said earlier, I don’t know what I don’t know. Face value it seems like overkill but there could be things behind the scenes that I don’t know about," McGuire said.
With "no parking" signs lining the neighborhood, LouAnn believes this could be doing more harm than good.
"I’m not real comfortable with that being done. I know she needs protection but it’s kind of letting everybody know this is her house," LouAnn said.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS contacted Champlin Police about how long they’ll be set up at Potter’s home and how much this will cost the city and we never heard back.
The scene is another difficult reminder for the folks who live nearby.
"I’m very sad that it happened," LouAnn said.
"Definitely a tragedy on both sides," McGuire said.