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Moving beyond Gang Strike Force

Public safety officials met with minority council directors who cited a need for squad-car cameras and more minority involvement in anti-gang efforts.

By ABBY SIMONS, Star Tribune

Last update: November 6, 2009 - 9:06 PM

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Leaders of three state councils representing minority members lauded the state Department of Public Safety's plans Friday to seek legislative approval to fund cameras in all Minnesota squad cars as a way to increase police professionalism.

The leaders met with Public Safety Commissioner Michael Campion and others to discuss the meltdown of the Metro Gang Strike Force and plans to resurrect a new agency to replace it.

They agreed that putting cameras in cars, potentially funded with state and federal grants, could help curb abuses.

About 200 Minnesota law enforcement agencies are still without squad-car cameras. Campion acknowledged that such a technological advancement would benefit advocates for police and minority groups alike.

"Time and time and time again, we watch the news and it speaks for itself," Campion said. "I would tell you that videotapes don't lie. ... It is still filtered through my perception of what took place, but I think the technology will be a very significant tool and in time will enhance the professionalism across the board."

The discussion came during a meeting that all parties said was a needed step as the department develops plans to replace the disbanded Strike Force that came under fire in part for unfairly targeting people of color.

Directors of three of the state's four councils representing minority groups discussed their concerns as authorities prepare to unveil their plans for a new gang task force that will include federal oversight and funding.

Chief among those concerns was that their input and involvement be used by the new task force.

"Our relationship with the commissioner is a good one, a working one, and community involvement, even at the state level in terms of prevention, intervention and education, really needs to be accelerated," said Lester Collins, executive director of the Council on Black Minnesotans. "I don't think law enforcement alone is going to be able to address the issues of gangs and the impact on our communities."

Also attending the 90-minute meeting were representatives for the Chicano Latino Affairs Council and the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans. A representative from the Indian Affairs Council was unable to attend.

The Metro Gang Strike Force was disbanded this year after an audit found a lack of oversight and an investigation found evidence that some of its members took home seized and forfeited property for their own use.

The investigations and news media reports also suggested that the Strike Force's targets frequently were minorities who were not gang members.

The FBI began an investigation in May into possible misconduct by Strike Force members.

The minority leaders were diplomatic in their criticism of the Strike Force as it undergoes rebuilding.

"I'm not overly critical of the Gang Strike Force because I think it worked in the early years," said Ilean Her, executive director of the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans. "I just think that over time, there was a lack of enforcement of procedures. It seems sometimes there was too much getting the job done and not enough procedure."

But, she added, "the gangs are drawing havoc and distressing community structures, and I don't want [anti-gang law enforcement] to go away, or for us to feel like we're not safe."

Campion said he was pleased with the outcome of the meeting and looks forward to a Nov. 16 legislative session to which the minority leaders have been invited to help acquire funding for in-car cameras.

"Keep in mind, we work for the same employer," Campion said. "We want them to be more involved."

But to Collins, that involvement could have come earlier in the planning of the new task force.

"As the commissioner said, we all work for the same boss. Maybe it wouldn't have hurt for us to see it, to be real partners in this."

Abby Simons • 612-673-4921

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