ONS Podcast - Episode 1 - We Are ONS

Saturday, March 15, 2025

Overview of the Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS) in St. Paul

Community First Public Safety framework and its role in ONS creation

Restorative justice practices as alternatives to traditional prosecution

Community response teams for mental health and low-acuity incidents

Gun violence intervention strategies including the GVI model and Project Peace

Neighborhood Safety Community Council (NSCC) functions and microgrants

Enterprise-wide approaches to public safety involving city departments

Succession planning and long-term sustainability of the ONS

Areas of Interest (4)

The institutionalization of ONS: Will a shift in city leadership threaten the sustainability of non-traditional public safety models?
Measuring success: How the city balances the need for police enforcement with experimental restorative justice programs.
The 'Flying the plane while building it' approach: Challenges of rapid implementation in public sector safety services.
Budgetary bias: Arguments for consistent funding for ONS as a critical safety resource, equal to police department funding.

Notable Quotes (4)

I get very passionate about both the idea of people achieving just outcomes and when I see Injustice I want to fix it.
— Lindsay Olsson

Restorative JusticeExplaining her purpose as a 'Warrior for Justice'.

The first thing that I thought was I have to make sure that folks understand that this is not part of a defund the police movement.
— Brooke Blakey

Public Safety StrategyAddressing public perception of the new office.

We're not doing this for the city of St. Paul the organization we're doing this for the city of St. Paul the residents.
— Rachel Holmer

Community GovernanceDiscussing the importance of community voice in policy.

When gun violence goes up that our program needs more support... we don't look at our office of neighborhood safety resources as those same types of resources [as police].
— Lindsay Olsson

Budget and Resource AllocationAdvocating for sustainable funding models.

People (6)

Lanaa JacobsonHost

Coordinates with community council members and manages the podcast platform.

Lindsay OlssonCity Attorney

Former military General Council, focuses on restorative justice.

1 quote

“Warrior for justice”

Describing her leadership mantra and motivation at Harvard.

Brooke BlakeyDirector of ONS

Background in criminology and FBI Lita training; emphasizes non-traditional safety.

Rachel HolmerDeputy Director of ONS

Focuses on infrastructure, policy, and long-term institutional stability.

Melvin CarterMayor of St. Paul

Launched the office of neighborhood safety in 2022.

Axel HenryPolice Chief

Partner in implementing community safety initiatives.

Places Mentioned

St. Paul, MinnesotaRamsey CountyHamline (University)Powderhorn neighborhood

Events & Meetings (2)

Launched in 2022 (ONS)
Community First Public Safety Commission meetings (multi-month process)

Ordinances & Resolutions (1)

Neighborhood Safety Community Council Ordinance

Codified the establishment of the Neighborhood Safety Community Council to provide community voice in ONS strategy.

View Source