[0:00] Good morning. I'm Todd Barnett. I am the [0:04] commissioner of community safety for the [0:06] city of Minneapolis. [0:09] Thank you for joining us today. Uh [0:11] summer is an amazing time in the city of [0:14] Minneapolis. There are lots of events [0:18] and activities that we spend time with [0:21] our family and friends and especially [0:23] around the 4th of July when uh we all [0:26] like to enjoy the fireworks. [0:29] In the city of Minneapolis, we're [0:30] working very hard to coordinate our [0:33] resources and our responses to bring [0:37] everyone together for a safer [0:39] Minneapolis. [0:40] You can look around the city, the [0:43] county, the state, all have public [0:47] safety leaders here today. All care [0:50] about the safety of people during this [0:52] time. We all want folks to enjoy and ha [0:56] enjoy the 4th of July, have fun, but [0:59] also to be safe. While this is a time [1:02] for celebration, we know that [1:05] festivities can quickly turn tragic if [1:08] we don't take safety seriously. [1:12] We can't do this alone. [1:14] We need the help of the community to [1:17] help us keep everyone safe. Today, there [1:21] will be several speakers. Each one will [1:24] have a safety message. Uh, we have [1:27] Henipin County Sheriff Wit who will talk [1:29] about the water safety. We have [1:32] Minneapolis Chief Tiner who will talk [1:34] about fireworks safety. We have [1:37] Minneapolis Police Chief Ohio who will [1:40] talk about the road closures for the [1:42] red, white, and boom celebration. We [1:45] have Lieutenant Lee here from the state [1:47] patrol and he'll talk about the [1:49] importance of having a sober ride. And [1:52] we have the Minneapolis Emergency [1:54] Communications Center Director Hodney [1:57] who will discuss the importance of [1:59] keeping the lines at 911 open for real [2:02] emergencies during this time. But first, [2:05] I'm going to invite Minneapolis Police [2:07] Chief O'Hara to come up and talk about [2:10] the dangerous use of fireworks and also [2:14] about violence during this time. Chief [2:21] Thank you, Commissioner. Good morning. [2:23] Uh, thank you all for being here today. [2:26] The Minneapolis Police Department has a [2:29] sworn duty to protect all people in our [2:32] community and we carry out that duty [2:34] every day and it does not take a [2:36] holiday. Our officers carry it out with [2:39] resolve and professionalism and we are [2:42] prepared to carry it out this Fourth of [2:44] July. [2:46] We know we have a lot of concerns from [2:48] residents in our community over what [2:50] we've seen in recent years. We've seen [2:54] unacceptable behavior during what should [2:56] be a time of celebration. [2:59] Residents and families deserve to [3:02] celebrate Independence Day without [3:04] fearing gunfire and without fearing [3:06] fireworks would be used recklessly and [3:09] dangerously against persons and [3:12] property. [3:13] So, let me be clear. If you have [3:15] intentions of coming to this town to [3:17] cause chaos, don't. You will be arrested [3:21] and we will seek charges against you. In [3:24] 2022, Minneapolis saw several shootings [3:27] on the 4th of July. [3:29] Seven people were shot in a short period [3:31] of time. Fireworks were fired at [3:34] residents and buildings and no arrests [3:37] were made that night. [3:39] Some individuals were permanently [3:41] scarred physically and emotionally by [3:44] fireworks used as weapons and the chaos [3:47] that ensued. [3:49] In 2023, we again saw groups of people [3:52] congregating, targeting people, [3:55] buildings, and even police officers with [3:57] fireworks. Felony level assaults under [4:00] Minnesota law. One individual was [4:04] seriously injured not far from where we [4:06] are today. [4:08] to attack another person with a [4:10] firework. [4:11] That year, we arrested 16 individuals [4:14] and our officers worked quickly to [4:17] disrupt and disperse the crowds as they [4:20] as they gathered around the city. [4:23] Last year, the red, white, and boom [4:25] fireworks celebration returned to [4:27] Minneapolis. Tens of thousands of people [4:30] came together to to have a safe and [4:32] joyful night. [4:34] But the night before the 4th, messages [4:37] began circulating on social media, [4:40] encouraging people to come from out of [4:42] town to Minneapolis and attacked people [4:45] and police with fireworks. [4:48] Just before midnight and into the early [4:50] morning hours, groups of juveniles and [4:53] young adults did exactly that. I was on [4:56] the ground that night, and I personally [4:58] had fireworks fired towards me. MPD [5:02] arrested 35 people that night and [5:05] thankfully no serious injuries occurred. [5:09] I hope the actions of the MPD over the [5:11] last two years have made it clear this [5:14] behavior will not be tolerated. If you [5:16] come to Minneapolis with the intent to [5:18] harm, disrupt, or intimidate, you will [5:21] be arrested. [5:23] This year, we are even better prepared. [5:26] The MPD has increased staffing [5:28] throughout the weekend. The Taste of [5:30] Minnesota Festival will be held downtown [5:33] and we are working with event organizers [5:34] to help ensure that it is safe once [5:36] again for everyone. We are again [5:39] supporting the Minneapolis Park Board [5:41] for the Red, White, and Boom Fireworks [5:43] Celebration. And we've coordinated a [5:45] robust citywide public safety plan in [5:48] partnership with other law enforcement [5:49] agencies. [5:51] We are also once again using strategic [5:53] road closures in areas that have seen [5:56] high levels of problematic behavior. [5:59] These measures have proved successful [6:01] last year in disrupting that activity, [6:04] protecting neighborhoods, and ensuring [6:06] celebrations could continue safely. [6:09] Our planning would not be complete [6:11] without the support of all of our law [6:13] enforcement partners. I want to thank [6:16] the Henipin County Sheriff, the [6:18] Minnesota State Patrol, Metro Transit [6:21] Police, Minneapolis Park Police, and the [6:24] University of Minnesota Park Police [6:26] Department for their continued [6:27] collaboration and commitment to public [6:29] safety. [6:31] Everyone who lives in or visits [6:33] Minneapolis deserves to celebrate the [6:35] Independence Day holiday peacefully and [6:38] safely. [6:40] The MPD will be ready to respond and [6:43] ready to protect those who are here to [6:46] celebrate those freedoms, our liberty, [6:48] and our shared values that this country [6:51] was built on. Thank you. [6:59] Good morning, everyone. Hello, I'm Dana [7:02] Wit, sheriff of Henipin County. As [7:05] you've heard, efforts on land throughout [7:07] the sorry, efforts on land throughout [7:09] the July 4th holiday weekend will [7:11] increase. The Henipin County Sheriff's [7:13] Office wants everyone to experience a [7:15] safe holiday celebration. That means we [7:18] will be taking extra measures to prevent [7:20] anyone who wants to disrupt our [7:22] community. We will be doing that with [7:24] Criminal Intelligence Division who will [7:26] be monitoring activity leading up to and [7:29] throughout the weekend. We will also [7:32] have added patrol deputies to assist our [7:34] local agencies as well as increase DWI [7:37] enforcement. [7:39] It's already been a busy summer. We want [7:42] this weekend to be about celebration, [7:45] not devastation. [7:47] We also anticipate a lot more people on [7:50] or around water over the weekend, [7:52] including our lakes, rivers, beaches, [7:55] and therefore we will be also monitoring [7:58] the waters here for when the fireworks [8:00] shows are going about um about the [8:03] Henipin County Sheriff's Office water [8:04] patrol unit will have extra deputies [8:06] around Henipin County doing proactive [8:08] law enforcement and public safety [8:10] response on the waterways. Please take [8:12] precautions, especially for those who [8:14] are the most vulnerable in water. Wear a [8:17] life jacket. Make sure your children [8:19] wear their life jackets. Always [8:21] supervise children in and near the [8:24] water. There has been a lot of rain [8:26] recently and our lakes and rivers are [8:27] high. Make sure to allow for all [8:30] cautionary signs and warnings are abided [8:33] by. And remember, if you drink on a [8:35] boat, it's the same penalty as drinking [8:38] and driving a vehicle. We will be [8:41] enforcing BWI as well as DWIS throughout [8:45] this weekend. So for everyone, I hope [8:48] you have a very safe and happy Fourth of [8:50] July weekend. Everybody needs to do [8:51] their part in keeping our community [8:53] safe. Thank you. And now I'll hand it [8:56] over to Chief Tiner. Thank you. [9:04] Good morning, everyone. [9:06] Each year, the Minneapolis Fire [9:07] Department responds to injuries and [9:10] fires caused by the use of fireworks [9:12] around this time of the year. This year, [9:14] we would like everyone to be able to [9:16] enjoy the summer and the Fourth of July [9:18] holiday by being safe together. [9:21] Fireworks that explode or fly, [9:24] projectiles are illegal in the state of [9:27] Minnesota. Some example of legal [9:29] fireworks here in the state of Minnesota [9:31] are sparklers, cones, and snakes. Some [9:35] tips that I have for a safe 4th of July [9:37] are fireworks should only be used by [9:40] adults. Use legal fireworks on your own [9:43] property, not in public spaces. Always [9:46] read the directions prior to using [9:48] fireworks and use them the way that they [9:50] are intended. Keep fireworks a safe [9:53] distance from flammable materials. And [9:56] when not in use, store fireworks in a [9:58] cool, dry place. Some things that I [10:01] would like people to refrain from or not [10:03] to do is please do not consume alcohol [10:07] or other drugs while using fireworks. [10:09] Trust me, they do not mix. Please do not [10:12] relight fireworks that fail on the first [10:14] try. This is often a reason why people [10:18] are injured. [10:20] Please do enjoy the fireworks shows [10:22] across the metro, including the red, [10:24] white, and boom. But please leave the [10:27] big stuff to the professionals. [10:30] And with that, I'd like to bring up from [10:32] the Minneapolis Park Police, Chief Ohio. [10:39] Good morning everyone. My name is Jason. [10:41] I serve the Minneapolis Park and [10:43] Recreation Board as the park police [10:45] chief. I'm also joined today by [10:47] Superintendent of Parks, Al Bangora. The [10:49] Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is [10:51] excited to once again host the Red, [10:53] White, and Boom Independence Day [10:55] celebration. There will be Independence [10:58] Day activities um throughout the course [11:00] of the day and a schedule of those [11:02] activities can be found on minneapolis [11:04] parks.org. Uh the culmination of the day [11:07] will be fireworks which will take place [11:08] on the central riverfront at 10 p.m. We [11:12] are asking people who attend the [11:13] fireworks show to pay close attention to [11:16] their hydration and to the weather [11:17] forecast. Uh there are storms currently [11:20] in the forecast and it looks like it's [11:21] going to be a very hot day. I want to [11:24] highlight a couple of parkway closures [11:25] that will take place over the Fourth of [11:27] July weekend so people can prepare their [11:29] travel uh plans in advance. On the 4th [11:33] of July, West River Parkway will be [11:35] closed from Plymouth Avenue until 11th [11:37] Avenue from midday until the morning of [11:40] July 5th. Main Street Southeast will be [11:43] closed from East Henipin Avenue to 6th [11:46] Avenue Southeast from the afternoon of [11:48] the 4th again until the early mornings [11:50] of July 5th. Boom Island Park uh parking [11:53] lot will be open for disability parking [11:56] only from 10:00 a.m. on on the 4th of [11:58] July. In addition, there's a special [12:01] event taking place at Lake Harriet on [12:03] July 4th, and Lake Harriet Parkway will [12:05] be closed from approximately 7:00 a.m. [12:08] until 11:00 a.m. Over the July 4th [12:11] weekend, beginning the evening of July [12:13] 3rd through Sunday, July 6th, segments [12:16] of Bedet Macausa Parkway will be closed. [12:19] West Peday Makaska Parkway will be [12:20] closed from Xerxes Avenue South to [12:23] Richfield Road and East Bedet Macauska [12:25] Parkway will be closed from Lake Street [12:27] to 36th Street. [12:30] Uh in addition to park police staffing [12:32] the Red, White, and Boom uh event, uh [12:35] many park board staff will be out uh in [12:38] the field representing the MPB as [12:40] ambassadors. uh they will be [12:42] identifiable and they will assist us in [12:44] our efforts uh to head off safety issues [12:47] uh from the the inception throughout the [12:50] day. Superintendent Bangor is wearing [12:52] the type of vest park staff will be [12:54] wearing on July 4th. Um so they will be [12:56] throughout the park system, not just at [12:58] the red, white, and boom event. Thank [13:00] you. And with that, I'd like to uh [13:02] introduce Lieutenant Lee with the [13:04] Minnesota State Patrol. [13:09] Thank you, Chief. Good morning everyone. [13:11] I'm Lieutenant Mike Lee. I'm the public [13:13] information officer for the Minnesota [13:14] State Patrol. [13:16] To help ensure that everyone has a safe [13:18] and enjoyable Fourth of July weekend in [13:20] Minneapolis, the State Patrol will be [13:22] dedicating extra patrols in the city. [13:24] Also, we'll be engaged in extra [13:26] enforcement across the state to help [13:27] locate and arrest impaired drivers. [13:31] Understand this. When you ingest alcohol [13:34] and or impairing substances, it [13:36] increases your risk of injury and fatal [13:39] crashes. If you get behind the wheel, [13:42] this is unnecessary risk and the [13:43] consequences can be devastating. In the [13:46] last 5 years, there are over 1500 DWI [13:49] arrests on this weekend alone. [13:52] We don't want people to be part of this [13:54] awful statistic. We want people to have [13:56] a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend. [13:59] Another message that we want to portray [14:01] is to advise people to not stop on the [14:04] 35W bridge to watch the fireworks. We [14:06] understand this can be tempting. [14:08] However, it's extremely dangerous and [14:09] poses a risk to the first responders [14:11] that respond to this call. It also [14:14] overfloods our 911 calling system of uh [14:17] unnecessary stopping on the freeway. [14:20] Again, we want everyone to have a safe [14:22] and enjoyable Fourth of July. So, please [14:25] plan ahead and make good decisions. I'll [14:27] now turn over to Director Hodney. [14:34] Good morning and thank you. I'm Joanie [14:36] Hodney, the director of Minneapolis 911. [14:40] I'm also speaking today on behalf of our [14:42] partners at 311 about the importance of [14:44] knowing when to call 311 and 911 this [14:48] weekend. [14:49] July 4th is one of the busiest days of [14:52] the year for dispatch centers across the [14:54] country. That's no exception in [14:56] Minneapolis. On a typical summer day, [14:59] Minneapolis 911 averages about 1,900 [15:02] calls per day. That number jumps to [15:05] 2,200 on the 4th of July, which may not [15:09] seem like much, but most of those added [15:11] calls are concentrated in the late [15:13] evening hours when residents begin to [15:16] complain about fireworks noise. [15:19] If someone calls 911 for something other [15:22] than an immediate emergency, emergency [15:25] lines and responders could be [15:26] unnecessarily busy. This will delay [15:29] critical help for people experiencing [15:31] time-sensitive emergencies like heart [15:33] attacks, house fires, or violent crimes. [15:37] Our partners at 311 thankfully take a [15:40] lot of the pressure off of emergency [15:42] dispatchers by providing critical but [15:44] not time-sensitive services. [15:47] Because of that, it's critical to [15:49] remember that 911 should only be used [15:51] for life-threatening or time sentence [15:54] time-sensitive emergencies. [15:56] Calling 911 when it's not urgent can [15:58] delay help for someone in real danger. [16:03] With that in mind, when calling 911 [16:05] related to fireworks, please use the [16:07] following guidelines. [16:09] Please call 911 if someone is injured or [16:12] needs medical help. [16:14] Call 911 to report an active fire. [16:18] Call 911 to report if fireworks are [16:20] being used recklessly and putting people [16:23] or property at serious risk. And [16:26] finally, please call 911 if you see a [16:28] situation involving fireworks is [16:30] escalating into violence or poses an [16:33] immediate threat. [16:37] You should call 311 for reasons that [16:39] don't require an immediate response, [16:41] such as noise complaints and observing [16:43] illegal use that isn't threatening life [16:46] or property. [16:47] 311 reports can also be made through the [16:50] 311 mobile app, through the city's [16:53] website, or by texting fireworks to [16:57] 311898. [17:00] to follow up on those reports, h help [17:02] handle the large volume of non-urgent [17:05] calls, and to support the callers during [17:07] the various activities in the city of [17:08] Minneapolis that comes during the Fourth [17:10] of July holiday weekend. 311 will be [17:13] open during the day both Saturday and [17:15] Sunday. [17:17] Again, it's crucial to keep 911 open to [17:20] ensure that first responders can quickly [17:22] reach priority calls, save lives, and [17:25] protect property. [17:28] and I will turn it back over to [17:29] Commissioner Barnett. [17:32] Thank you. [17:34] Before we take questions, I just uh want [17:37] to acknowledge one other person and [17:38] that's Amanda Harrington who's here and [17:41] she is the director of neighborhood [17:43] safety. Uh we'll take questions if you [17:46] have any. [17:49] Question for Chief O'Hara. um if you can [17:52] speak to the increased staffing um just [17:56] help put it into context how much we've [17:58] increased staffing uh for this time. [18:05] So the question was uh if I could [18:08] somehow put into context uh the [18:10] increased staffing that will be on this [18:12] weekend. So [18:15] there will be more officers working this [18:18] weekend this year than there had been [18:19] either of the last few years. Uh that is [18:22] both because of the taste of uh [18:25] Minnesota festival that's happening this [18:27] weekend as well as increased staffing [18:30] for the night of the 4th of July both [18:32] for the red, white and boom festival as [18:34] well as additional Minneapolis police [18:36] officers, patrol officers, specialty [18:39] teams and others that will be available [18:41] in the event that we have to make uh [18:43] mass arrests this year as we did last [18:46] year. And I just want to be clear [18:48] because I know a lot of residents in the [18:50] community are aware of this. The problem [18:52] we've seen over the last couple of years [18:54] are small group of individuals in a [18:57] large crowd that use fireworks as [19:00] weapons. And I want to be clear, if [19:02] people within that crowd are encouraging [19:05] that behavior are contributing to what [19:07] can be a riotous situation, those people [19:10] will be arrested too if they do not [19:12] disperse. And that's what exactly what [19:14] we did last year. and people got charged [19:16] for it. So, I can't reiterate enough, [19:19] stay away from that behavior. If it's [19:21] your intention to come here and cause [19:23] that kind of chaos, don't. We'll be [19:25] prepared to arrest you. [19:30] Chief O'Hare, maybe Chief O'Hara as [19:32] well. I I know one of the strategies [19:34] we've seen in response uh to some of the [19:36] recent events has been a fair amount of [19:38] uh closing of parks early. um the [19:42] parking lots associated these associated [19:44] with these taxpayer funded parks uh [19:47] right now bedday mccasca early as well [19:50] as boom island in response to recent [19:51] events. The question is is there any [19:54] evidence to show that these deterrents [19:56] work? [20:01] So the question was around the [20:03] limitations I think of um closures of [20:06] parking and and do those deterrents [20:08] work? So park hours have not changed at [20:10] all. Uh park hours remain uh established [20:15] through ordinance. Developed parks close [20:17] at midnight. Undeveloped parks close at [20:19] 10 p.m. Again, that has not changed. [20:22] What we have done is some strategic [20:24] limitations for parking lots or parking [20:27] bays uh to close uh vehicle access at [20:31] earlier points in the evening. And at [20:34] Bedet Macausa, the early results are [20:36] that it has been very helpful. [20:39] How I guess how are you gauging that? [20:42] Can you walk me through that a little [20:43] bit? [20:45] I just uh so the question continues to [20:47] be how are we gauging the effectiveness [20:49] of these closures? I've told Chief Oh [20:52] privately, thank you so much. The first [20:55] summer I was here, the initial chaos [20:57] that we had was all around bedca. And [21:00] you could go ask reverence uh residents [21:02] that live 5, 10, you know, even maybe 15 [21:06] blocks away from the park the chaos that [21:09] they went through that night because [21:10] people were parking in the parking lots [21:12] and then that was spilling out into the [21:14] neighborhoods all around there. We [21:16] didn't have anything near that level [21:18] down there last year and that's because [21:20] of the plan that Chief O'Hado put into [21:22] effect. So very very clearly that [21:25] produced results and we are thankful as [21:27] our residents are we are thankful for [21:29] it. [21:30] I I think also in response um it's [21:34] helpful to put into a context that the [21:36] day maska uh amongst the 185 parks in [21:40] the park system was number one for 911 [21:43] calls in 2023 and 2024. We are trying to [21:47] do something different to lower that [21:49] number and over the last month it [21:51] appears that we have. One more question [21:53] for Chief here if I can. I know that the [21:56] videos the last couple years really show [21:58] a group of people that are not afraid of [22:01] police. I mean in one video you've got [22:03] someone shooting like a bazooka style [22:05] right out a police car and then [22:06] obviously the police shared all the [22:08] videos of people firing fireworks right [22:11] at squads. What do you attribute that [22:13] lack of fearlessness to and how do you [22:16] combat it when sometimes your presence [22:18] simply isn't enough to deter people from [22:21] doing what they're doing? So the [22:23] question was in regard to the videos [22:25] that we've seen of essentially mobs even [22:29] shooting these fireworks at police when [22:31] police respond. [22:35] Yeah. And and what do I attribute that [22:37] to? Honestly, from what I've seen, it is [22:41] large groups of young people, the vast [22:43] majority of which are not actually [22:47] shooting fireworks at people, but [22:49] they're a part of the problem. It's [22:51] creating a mob mentality. Um, it's [22:54] spread on social media. These large [22:57] groups form and they're kind of just [22:59] there to watch the show. Uh but at least [23:02] from our perspective, when the behavior [23:05] gets that serious, it's essentially [23:07] riotous behavior, you know, they are [23:09] just as culpable as those that are [23:11] shooting the fireworks. And tell you, [23:13] the video that you mentioned [23:15] was down by where the where the uh [23:18] mortar was shot at a police car with an [23:20] officer inside of it. That was near bed [23:22] makosca. Um and again, that was before [23:25] these street closures were were put into [23:27] effect. So, while we did have problems [23:30] last year, we made more arrests and I [23:32] believe we had we had fewer issues [23:35] citywide than what we had had the year [23:37] before, and we're looking to build on [23:39] that this year and have this year be [23:41] even safer. How did you guys decide for [23:44] the sheriff too? Are you seeing anything [23:46] on social media now with the [23:47] intelligence gathering that you're doing [23:49] to indicate that we could see similar [23:51] problems again this year? So the [23:54] question is uh you know are we [23:56] monitoring social media and do we [23:57] anticipate problems? Um we are [24:00] continuousing moni monitoring social [24:02] media as best we can. Um [24:06] some uh depending on the platform it's [24:08] not necessarily we're not necessarily [24:10] able to anticipate it in advance but we [24:13] will be continuing to monitor social [24:15] media around the clock. Um, and we do [24:18] anticipate uh some type of app would be [24:21] the way these type of popup situations [24:24] occur. I don't know if the sheriff wants [24:25] to add to that. [24:28] Our criminal intelligence unit is [24:30] monitoring all social media platforms. [24:33] We're looking for things such as park [24:34] takeovers. Sometimes our young [24:36] generation like to invite each other on [24:39] social media platforms. So that's a part [24:40] of being the um preventative is knowing [24:43] what's going to happen, when it's going [24:44] to happen. But as the chief said, some [24:46] things you can't plan for because we we [24:48] just have to respond because they just [24:50] pop up. But we do know that um our our [24:54] um analysts are making sure that they [24:56] are combing through social media every [24:59] day prior to the 4th of July so that we [25:01] can be as preventative as possible from [25:03] these things of h from happening, [25:05] especially like park takeovers. When it [25:08] comes to like limiting access for [25:09] certain areas, I guess this might be for [25:11] the chief or the parks. How did you guys [25:13] decide what areas this year to restrict [25:16] access to? [25:21] So the question was how did we decide [25:23] what areas to restrict access to? Um [25:26] we're restricting access along the [25:28] riverfront to facilitate the event. So [25:30] that's you know directly the result of [25:32] of hosting this Independence Day event. [25:35] Uh bed maska is because of the activity [25:37] that we've historically seen there. Um, [25:40] we implemented that strategy last year [25:43] and it was highly effective last year, [25:44] so we're replicating that. And then, [25:47] Chief, I have a question for you about [25:48] Dinky Town. Um, I don't I guess maybe I [25:51] missed it. I didn't hear that you guys [25:52] were looking to close off sections of [25:53] Dinky Town. I know it was very chaotic [25:55] last year. Um, I guess what are you guys [25:57] doing in that area this year? So, the [26:00] question was about Dinky Town, uh, how [26:02] it was chaotic last year and, uh, our [26:05] terms for, uh, for this year, our plan [26:07] for this year. So, we will continue to [26:09] monitor Dinky Town uh as we did last [26:12] year. Every weekend uh throughout the [26:15] year, Friday and Saturday nights, we do [26:18] implement a traffic safety plan there. [26:20] We do conduct uh road closures around [26:22] bar close to ensure that the the [26:24] community there is safe. So, that's [26:26] something that actually happens every [26:27] weekend. We will implement that again [26:30] this weekend uh earlier perhaps [26:33] depending on uh on what's needed. But I [26:36] was there myself last year when the [26:38] problems were happening and and I am [26:40] very well aware of the potential for [26:42] activity. Um and we will be doing [26:44] everything we can to try and prevent [26:46] that from happening this year. One last [26:49] question. [26:51] Oh, for the chief and then also [26:52] potentially for the parks. Obviously, [26:54] you're taking great precautions for the [26:56] larger parks for this park itself. What [26:59] are you doing with the other police [27:00] departments to ensure other smaller [27:02] parks might not be an issue moving [27:04] forward this weekend? [27:07] So, I think as other speakers have said, [27:09] the 4th of July for public safety is a [27:12] demanding day. It's our busiest day of [27:14] the year. And uh police officers uh [27:17] cannot be everywhere they need to be. [27:20] They are a scarce resource. And so we [27:22] are using park staff uh who are coming [27:25] in on a holiday to act as ambassadors [27:27] and be first points of contact and eyes [27:29] and ears throughout the park system. Uh [27:31] as I mentioned, we've got a number of [27:32] these park staff who are stepping [27:34] outside their normal roles to act as [27:36] park ambassadors and that will be [27:38] helpful uh throughout the rest of the [27:39] park system where there there are not [27:41] police officers. [27:47] You guys should be getting