899 Camo J. That was Leon Thomas featuring Chris Brown with MUT. Leon was just in the Twin Cities. Did you know that, Anthony? >> I didn't know that. >> Oh, yeah. I hate I missed it, too. >> He be doing big things in the city. I love it. I love it. >> Leon Thomas is that deal. He got a couple songs that I just love. I was so mad I missed that. >> Feel some type of way when you hear his voice, huh? >> Yeah. I'm like, gosh, how did I miss that? I just don't even know. >> Well, it is time for Minneapolis 360. How are you today? I'm good, sis. How you doing? >> You know what? I'm blessed. Despite the snow, I kind of lowkey. You want to You want to do a snowball fight before we leave? >> Yeah. This ain't the snowball. This ain't the the the snow to do it. >> It's got to be that thick. It's the powdery snow. I'm a snowball king when I was a kid. Yeah. Don't get it twisted. I know the right type of snow to ball them up. This ain't it. >> That's not it. >> This ain't it. When you can brush it off your car quick. This ain't the snowball. This is the sledding snow. >> Oh yeah. >> Let's go sledding. Oh, I don't know about that either. We talked about that, Kim. >> I ain't embraced winter like I should. Not just yet. >> Yeah, not yet. >> How you doing? >> You know what? I am blessed. I will not complain. And I am happy to be back with you today on a >> absolutely a snowy day, but it is is super good to wake up in the morning and you know, just be alive, right? >> Be alive. Won't he do it? >> 100%. God is good. >> He is amazing. So, Minneapolis, when you listen, let me just rewind the track, y'all. Welcome to Minneapolis 360. I'm your host, Anthony Taylor with the city of Minneapolis. Always my pleasure to come to you every second and fourth Wednesday of the month to provide information uh to be be able to help you, you know, activate your community, find resources. I think the city of Minneapolis appreciates this platform and this partnership with KOJ. Uh and as we look outside, y'all, I know it's kind of rough this morning. Just be uh cautious. Give some grace. Don't be out here driving crazy. You know, this weather is beautiful, but even those in those SUVs, slow down. You know, take your time. Yeah. You going to be a few minutes late, then that's okay. So, uh, I'm going to get straight to it, y'all. You know, one of the things I think is important for us to always give updates on our community. You know, Minneapolis, uh, does a great job in a lot of different areas. I think over the years when we've talked about just the resources from public works uh to um information on upper harbor to jobs to everything I think is so important and it's always a good time as we kind of close out 2025 to talk about community safety and and give an update on how things are going right and I think that's a a big deal and some of those who are aware you know it's kind of uh budget season as well so there's just a lot of things I think that the city of Minneapolis is doing quite well and I uh am happy and excited uh to introduce a person that I think is doing really big changes in the city. Uh he has uh been out and about for so much, done many interviews. This is his first time on Minneapolis 360. So I am proud to introduce uh community uh safety commissioner Todd Barnett from the city of Minneapolis. Commissioner, welcome to Minneapolis 360. >> Welcome. >> Thank you guys for having me. I really appreciate it. Honored to be here. I already said there's one thing I got to say. I want to be in studio next time. >> And we going to have you here, too. >> We We going to have you here, Commission. I think that's important. And this studio is is so great. And these people here are are wonderful. Uh Commissioner, and I know, you know, you've been around for a while. I just love to give you the opportunity just to tell people, you know, who you are, your background, you know, what do you do for the city of Minneapolis? >> Oh, sure. Um, this will probably tell my age, too. So, I got to Minnesota uh in uh 1989, attend law school. Um, >> uh, grew up in Washington DC, real Washington DC, southeast DC. Okay. >> Um, and, uh, went to George Washington University there, but came to Minnesota 89. Uh, went to law school, worked as a law clerk in the public defender office here in Henipin County. became an attorney there, became a supervisor um in particular in our drug court in in um Henipin County, became a prosecutor um uh for was a PD for about 15 years, then a prosecutor for two, and then in 2006 um I became a judge in Henipin County. And I left I tell people I left that judicial life behind me October of 2023 when um I came to the city of Minneapolis to be the second commissioner of community safety. And so I oversee five departments and that's the police, fire, 911, emergency management, and neighborhood safety. Uh but really I think everybody would would agree that um community safety is beyond those five departments. You know, we have to work with other departments um in order to bring safety to all of our residents. >> Talking with Commissioner Barnett from the city of Minneapolis. Call up 612-377-3456. And uh, Commissioner, it's probably been over, you know, a little over two years since you, uh, became the community safety uh, commissioner here uh, in the city of Minneapolis. And I I know there's a lot of things that that happen with that position that you you hold, right? And I know also too, there's lots of initiatives and and and uh, safety plans uh, that you uh, implement, right? Not only uh, for the police department, but the other departments that you uh, are in charge of. And commissioner, I just love to give you like a opportunity to do a status report, right? A status check on over the last two years. What do you think um the impact has been since you became the commissioner here in the city of Minneapolis? >> Well, Anthony, I think one of the the the big things is that um when I was hired, the the mayor talked about uh making sure I review the afteraction report from 2020, right? And so we all know what happened there. Um and so it was to one internally make sure that all of our departments not just police all of our departments even outside of my department. So I have to work with those other department heads and we are in a place where we are at least externally now I believe more responsive. uh we show more transparency and have more of a compassionate approach to community safety. I think one of the the biggest things uh is that we collaborate more internally and externally whether that is with community organizations or with business partners to make sure that people feel safe. But one of the things your listeners might find interesting is that um there is a report out there called the safe and thriving community report and people can look at that and that is our blueprint to bringing safety services to the city of Minneapolis. So you can look at that. But the innovative part, I think one of the things most proud of most recently is that we have put a social worker in our 911 uh call center. >> And you might say, well, why why do you why is that important? >> As you would imagine, there are people who call 911 and it's not an emergency. Um, and yeah, it would be easy to transfer them to 311 and have 311 handle it, but our residents sometimes call and they're in need of services. And having the Henipin County Social Worker there really helps us build out what we want to be, and that is to connect people with services. And when they call, not just try to say call this number, but actually do something about it. So, that's probably the the thing that I'm most proud of recently, and I can talk about probably 20 other things, but I'll stop there. >> Yeah. And I I appreciate you you saying that, Commissioner, because that's also important. And what I'd love to do is just follow-up question, right? Because something I think that you said just resonated with me. Uh, and you talked about collaboration, right? And you talked about bringing everybody kind of uh under the same vision, right? So you talk about not only your your internal departments but also just collaborating with with community, right? And not only community but other entities like the sheriff's department, Henipin County, those type of things. Talk a little bit about how important collaboration is when you bring all of these people together and was it a challenge to be able to do that? >> You know, um to answer question one, challenge, no, not really a challenge. Um, I think what happens sometimes is, um, people might might they come together and when you think of of community safety, especially with law enforcement in particular, people come together in emer times in emergency. So, out of a desire to do something immediately. And so, what we tried to do here is to really put community at the center and listen. uh something that uh you know quite frankly in government we don't do well. Uh and then actually listen don't tell people what's best for them but actually really try to deliver but be honest with people about what your limitations are. So the most recent thing uh as I think a lot of people hear about in the news with our uh president here is this you know enforcement of immigration. So, we are working very hard um in in three big buckets, right? One of those buckets is communicating internally with our staff and all throughout the uh city with here's what you can do if letter if if someone wants to try to enforce immigration in one of our buildings. So, and we want to work with Henipin County and the state to do that. How we communicate is so important so people get accurate information because this administration does not do that and I mean administration I mean the Trump administration we are connected to be ready for any largecale deployment of federal agents here in the city you know like a national guard from another state. So, we've worked very hard and met at all of these levels, city, county, state, to be prepared. And then, of course, it's paying attention to all of the legal action that's going on cuz the first thing that we don't want, we don't want them here. Uh, and so we have to be prepared and that means all of us have to work together. So whether that's our city attorney, our AG, um you know, or our county attorney, just being prepared for those things. And so to collaborate to to know that people here can be safe. >> And I'm I'm glad you you you're talking about that, too, because we're in unprecedented times here, Commissioner, and that we can see every day, and I'm sure you're aware just the the the loads of information that's coming with with ICE and how they are, you know, in our city. and basically being able to tell folks uh to explain their rights like know your rights I think is important right so how are you able to and you said it really good I'm glad that you talked about that how important that is for you to be able to uh coordinate with uh other uh entities that make that happen and again as we we we get more into it and listen Minneapolis we got the commissioner on the line it's a chance for you to holler at him 612-3773456 and and one of the things I think is important if I'm a a community member so put my city hat on and I'll put my community member hat on as I look over Penn and Broadway with such a beautiful site with all this snow. Commissioner, you should have been out here in the studio. I'd love to see what type of boots you wearing. You from DC, bro. Like I don't you got you got enough to to wear up here, man. What's going on? >> I had on my sur this morning the driveway, but I got my dress boots on at work. >> Got it. I just I was just checking on you, Commissioner, so just uh bear with me. You know, I got my boots on, too. But uh as we talk about uh safety and updates here in our our beautiful city, I would love to for you to just talk >> a little bit about MPD, right? So uh obviously um when we say MPD, it it it elicits different reactions to different people, right? And not to necessarily go down a rabbit hole because that's not the intent of this this this program. The intent is to see and talk about like the progress that you've seen in in rebuilding and reforming MPD uh especially since you know your tenure and obviously if you think about some of the historical things that happened in our city like where is the progress uh with how MPD is moving forward since you've been the commissioner? You know, I think um one of the things important to make sure everyone understands because I I get this question quite a bit um is that since 2020 and you heard Chief O'Hara talk about more than 500 officers has left MPD. Wow. >> Right. and and and so with that, right, we know there were certain officers that probably left that were part of the problem. But the officers that's been here since 2020 and had the opportunity to leave, they're here because they're committed to the city. They want to see reform and they want to see progress. So, you know, a big shout out to them. And then the diversity that the um the MPD is bringing forth so that community can see people that look like them is just extraordinary. And we're making progress, guys. We're not there, right? um we're we're not where we want to be with the level of staff, but what has happened um is that right now what people might not know about is that there have been a lot of policy changes because of the uh settlement agreement with the state's uh human rights department. And we're going to follow the even though it was dismissed, the federal consent decree was dismissed, we're going to follow those provisions as well. So implementing all of that work and at the same time having our police department do the things that police departments need to do and that is to really be on top of the crime. And so uh two things I'll say and then I'll be quiet on this question. Two things. One overall crime is down. two on that collaboration piece and where MPD is and what people probably wouldn't have seen before is that is the chief O'Hare working with our 911 director, director Hodney to work on how can we reduce our response times and the chief talked about this recently. So you have that priority zero mean you drop everything and go. you have priority one um and so think of most of our priority calls are going to be one then two then three right so in that priority one call we have reduced that time to respond by two minutes so that means saving lives right that's that collaboration piece that might not have been there before because our folks are talking together and trying to bring a better service to the residents and to the visitors so I mean that's important and the way that we've changed um how we look at crime and you know all those things. But I'll I'll stop there because I'll keep talking. You know, I'm a former judge. I'll keep going. >> Appreciate you. >> Yeah, that's that's not a problem, Commissioner, because the information I think is is is helpful, right? They need to know uh Commissioner and as I I wrap up our our interview here just really quickly, I think one of the things I think is important is just how the city has kind of just built out capacity, right? So, um, one of the departments that is is newer to the city is the neighborhood safety department, right? So, I know there's a lot of details that go into that and we can talk about the reasons why that came about. I don't want to go there. I think what's important, commissioner, is the programs, right, that the uh, neighborhood safety offers. I think these are a lot of great programs. If you talk about grassroots, you talk about having um non-p police response, right? And just the the the commitment of having people who look like the community be a part of these programs. Can you talk a little bit about these new programs that are happening in the city? >> Yes. Um you know, one of the big things is people don't care. And when I say this, I mean it's the most respectful way. Um there's that desire to reduce crime and we're doing that. One of the things is if you're the victim of a crime, you don't care about us reducing crime. You're like, "Look at what happened to me now." Um, and so I say that to talk about our neighborhood safety department because they are the ones that are that alternative to what you see with policing. They are the ones, I think, that are the closest to our residents because they're not responding to a 911 call. They're helping to try to get to these root causes of things that that you know touch on drug addiction, touch on mental health. And one of the most recent things pilot programs that we have going on right now is our community safety ambassadors. And those safety ambassadors are similar to the folks you see downtown, right? You see them in those fluorescent uh like vests. And so now we have them on East Lake Street and East Franklin. Um, and they are visible out there. They're a welcoming presence. Um, they try to report emergencies that might see happening. They try to help our community connect to different services. So that's important. One of the other things that your folks might not know about is our, you know, that we have that next step program at the hospitals, a couple of our hospitals where we actually um have contracts with some of our folks to really help people who are, you know, gunshot victims from violent crimes or injuries. So, just trying to get them healthy and then provide those services is so important. >> It is. And I'm glad you talked about that. I think one of the things that I think is important is that getting that information out to people, right? And and commissioner, I'm extremely happy that you were able to to come on here uh today and talk about that. And one of the things Minneapolis, for all that information, you can always call what is it, Kim? >> 311. >> 311 to be able to get you any more information to any of these departments. Uh and as we we wrap up real quick, you talked about fire being a department that's under you and just such an integral part of the community as a fire department because they do a lot uh of service in this community. One of the things I just really want to make sure we honor is Chief Tiner. Uh and good and and and the everybody love I mean he when you say his name, Kim, people just feel lots of love with with Chief Tiner. >> Love love love him. and commissioner, you losing this this this guy, man. So, just talk about what you feel his impact was to uh the fire department and his tenure here in the city. >> Well, first I have to share with you guys and I said this for him. He's just unhinged now. You know, he's talking and he's just saying what he wants to say and meet. He's such a joy. Um, I I you know, I saw him earlier just teasing him about it, but you know, oh my goodness, here's a Northsider >> that's got over 30 years of service, come up through the ranks, right, through the fire department ranks, and you know, that's not an easy task for a person of color, right? And so, um, uh, in any any profession, you, you know, you've never heard him >> really outward talk about the things that he went through to get there, but we all know that he had to get through some hurdles. But he's our second African-American fire chief from the city of Minneapolis. But more importantly, guys, here's his kindness. >> On the way out the door, he wants to honor Ron Edwards. Yeah. >> A >> Yeah. >> And this and this is what he wants to do because Ron was so instrumental in desegregating the police department back in 1970. >> He he wants to honor him by getting a plaque up >> and what we call fire station one. >> And so that is who Chief Tiner is. >> Yeah. no accolades for himself going out the door, but trying to do something to acknowledge someone who was instrumental in helping him get to where he is. >> Such a beautiful thing. >> Yeah. And and and you know, Ron Edwards was truly amazing. >> Yes. >> And it's just incredible, right? Um and you know, I I can all of us can share a lot of u Mr. Edward's stories, how he's touched everyone, and just the the way that Chief Tiner is able to think about others and honor those before us, I think is is a is a huge testament of of the person >> his character >> that he is, right? True test of his character, Kim. And you said that >> so well. And and and listen, u commissioner, I I we're gonna have to go over. So, uh, cuz I want to talk about this topic. So, forgive me, KJ, if you waiting for Q Bear. You know, I'm going steal I'll steal a few of his minutes. Um, but but thank you for at least talking about, you know, the chief and and the fire department. One of the things I'd love for you to talk about and and we touched on it just a little bit here, Commissioner, is just these this increased federal immigration arrest in Minneapolis targeting specific communities. Obviously, uh some of the deplorable things that um the Trump uh administrative administration himself said about our our our Somali brothers and sisters and just some of the things that we see on a on not a daily basis but a minute basis, right? And I think if you are in South Minneapolis specifically, you see this and you know there's people who are affected uh and it and it's and it and it's having people live in fear, right? fear to be able to go to the gas station, fear to go pick up their kids, fear to to move around their day-to-day operations because of of what this has happened in this community. So, I would love for you to talk about just the city's response uh to these uh attacks and this uh this uh gathering here and this kind of saturating Minneapolis. Talk a little bit about the city and and and what their role is in this. you know, um we have a separation ordinance and if anybody tuned in yesterday um with city council, there were uh quite a bit of um discussions and community input into our separation ordinance, meaning that we will not will not help uh with any immigration enforcement. So, that's one. and and to our immigrant community in particular, we stand with you. We know that that the majority of people are are US citizens. They are citizens and they're here legally, >> right? >> Um so so I just say that and we could and there's a lot of examples of our own citizens being taken and and what have you, which is deplorable. But um as far as what the city has done, we've tried to communicate a lot. So if you have questions, if you don't remember anything else, call 311. They can help you with services, right? We have connections with community organizations that we will connect you with around immigration issues. And if there's a legal question, the city can help you with that. If you if if uh you want to go online because you don't feel comfortable calling 311, go online to our web page. we have a know your rights and and that you can read through and really help you. Um we want people to feel safe. We know that the tactic here is is one of fear. Um but we just want people to know that we're doing everything possible that we can. And um the thing that really is sad for us is that there is no communication with us around the activities that are happening in our community. So we don't know it until you live stream it or you call us. >> Yeah. And and that is that is so true. And thank you for that, Commissioner. You know you know Minneapolis is one of the most diverse cities >> on the entire in the entire country, right? And these are our neighbors, right? These are our friends. These are our family members. This is our community. So, uh I think as as people may not uh be tuned in to what's going on, some of us more than others. I mean, these are our people, right? So, what happens to our people happens to us and how we feel that. And it's always people want to know exactly where they know their rights. Obviously, what the city of Minneapolis doing. Understand too that there are some handcuffs too, >> right? In involved with that, too. And there are some things that that people need to understand when it comes to to ICE and how do you necessarily navigate a situation where ICE is around, you know, and it's important to understand what, you know, the police's role is in that too as well. So, I appreciate you talking about that because I think it's important, >> unfortunately, you know, we may have years to be able to figure this stuff out. We we may not, but I think it's also important to know what our rights are. So, as we finish this last question here, um, Commissioner Barnett, and again, I thank you. It's a busy time for you as well to be able to carve out a little bit of space in your day. Is there anything else you'd want to share with, uh, our audience today while you're here? >> You know, um, I I I think it's an important one. I'm just going to go back to the rights part and and so I'm not actually answering that question other than people should know they can refuse to sign documents until they talk to a lawyer. People should know they have a right not to open the door unless there's a warrant. >> People should know that we provide free immigration legal services. Please call 311 or go to the website. I think that's the most important thing, especially because of the activity that we've seen the last couple of days. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. And thank you for that. Yeah. Commissioner, I think that's important. And and listen, you know, you you've got an open invitation to come back to Minneapolis 360 here in 2026. I I think, you know, community safety is one of the biggest things that uh resonate with people and and they kind of know want to know what's going on. So, uh, as we we close out 2025, would love to have you back, uh, to be a guest. So, >> thank you for being here, Commissioner. Absolutely. >> So, I saw a post commissioner yesterday and, um, and a lot of people were kind of commenting on it, and so just, you know, how sometimes you just don't know what's true and what's not true. Um, but it said Minnesota, be careful out there. They're saying that white supremists are dressing up as ICE and kidnapping people. Have you heard anything about that? I have no confirmation of that. Okay. >> Information. So, um I have no confirmation of that. If if >> I can tell you this, if we do have confirmation at any point, I can tell you that we will get that information out to to residents and visitors, but I have no confirmation. Um >> but we do know what our federal law enforcement agents uh enforcing immigration are doing. >> Yes. Okay. you know, as far as what some of their activities have been over in Augsburg and >> uh you know, Cedar Riverside, but I don't have any information that white supremists are here. And you know, again, >> fear that uh folks are trying whether, you know, that's from uh federal government or outside >> uh people trying to really intimidate um our residents. You know, like Anthony said, Kim, you know, there are neighbors, there are friends, you know, they own businesses. Uh, businesses are losing money because people are afraid. >> Um, and and it's just so much fear. Um, and I wish I could be able just to tell you yes or no, but uh, so far that none of that has been >> confirmed. Okay. Well, that's good to know cuz definitely hate to um, you know, share that or cause any more fear than we have to, right? >> Absolutely. and and we've been through the misinformation game before, too, right? So, but we're also in times we just don't know. So, that's a great question, Kim. Listen, Commissioner, thank you again. I'd love to catch up with you in 2026, your first time. I know you you've been in the airs all the time. You've been on TV and everything, but this is Minneapolis 360, man. We we we different here. >> Yes. You got >> I know you are. And and I'm coming in studio in 2026. >> Absolutely. You're more than you're more than welcome, Commissioner. >> All right. >> Thank you and enjoy the rest of your day. >> Thank you. I appreciate you guys. Thank you. >> I appreciate you. >> And and Kim, that's a great question and thank you for putting that in the space because you know we there's reports out there that that you know ISIS in in vehicles that say lift or Uber as well, right? So, you know, that's a that's a great question. You know, he's able to to say like if there is reports, >> we'll make sure people know that. Yeah. So, >> and I think it helps to just clear up some of that extra anxiousness that people are >> get some of that stuff off your chest and your shoulders cuz there's a lot more out there that we deal with. You know, we need to make sure that if that's all we can be done with that, right? So, absolutely. >> Yeah. Good to see you, sis. >> You, too, as always. >> Happy Christmas. Early Christmas. >> Early Christmas. But we back at it next time. >> Yeah. We got one more show for uh 2026 uh or 2025, excuse me. >> Our last show. >> Our last show. Yeah. and in Minneapolis. Just a heads up, I'm going to announce uh something here real quick while I've got the space and I'll talk a little bit about next week. Um next week will be my last show, y'all. Uh I know it's a it's a it's a difficult uh decision that I had to make. I was able to be able to do some different things here in the city, uh Kim, and it's been a blessing. Um, you know, next week will be extremely difficult, but it'll also be very exciting cuz I'll be introducing a new host for Camel J Minapolis 360. So, >> I know. Excited about that. >> Yeah. People like, "Good, I'm glad you gone like that." >> No, they not. No, they are not. And we hope that you will, you know, make sure you make some appearances swing down on us. Absolutely. >> An honor. >> Absolutely. And, you know, I say that facitiously. I know there's people out there who who listen to the show and love to hear us both. >> Right. So, we'll talk a little bit about it uh next week. Yeah, I'll see you. >> So bittersweet, but uh I can't wait to be able to introduce the new person. >> Absolutely. Y'all going to love her, y'all. >> Yeah, she's amazing. >> Thank you, sis. >> Thank you. All right, Twin Cities, we going to get back into the music. You know what? You know what? We got to play a good Christmas song. >> Oh, man. >> There's no time like Christmas, right? >> Oh, man. Yeah. What What you going to play? I I can't wait to hear that. >> Chris Brown, there's no time like Christmas. There's no time like Christmas. Let's go.