BROOKLYN PARK AND BROOKLYN CENTER

Event brings police, immigrants together The Joint Community Police Partnership and the Lao Advancement Organization of America are holding a community event Saturday for immigrant residents to learn more about law enforcement.

The event is one of several programs started by the partnership and aimed at educating immigrants in Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center. From 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., residents will have the chance to talk with police officers at the Brooklyn Center Community Center, 6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy. Food and beverages will be provided. For more information, contact Khao Insixiengmay at 612-302-9048.

BROOKLYN CENTER

Sex offender moving into neighborhood A Level 3 sex offender is moving into a neighborhood in the northwest part of Brooklyn Center, so law enforcement officials are planning a community meeting Thursday. The sex offender is moving into an area west of Xerxes Avenue N. and north of 63rd Avenue N. Residents within a half-mile of the offender's registered address received notification by mail.

At the meeting, officials will provide more information on the offender, the notification program and safety tips, but no further information will be released before the meeting. The public is invited to attend the 7-8:30 p.m. meeting at the Brooklyn Center Community Center, 6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy. The information about the offender will also be available for public viewing on Friday at the Brooklyn Center Police Department, 6645 Humboldt Av. N.

WHITE BEAR LAKE

Skate park may be built at Podvin Park Neighbors of Podvin Park will get a chance to voice their opinions about a proposed skate/wheel park. Local kids have done fundraising to prepare a plan for a skate park, and the city organized a committee to talk about the issues they have had in the past with skate parks.

City Manager Mark Sather said some residents are concerned about kids who continue to ride skateboards and trick bikes downtown instead of using a skate park. The White Bear Lake YMCA now has a skate park. The High School North Campus also had a park, but it was closed after the structures were set on fire. Sather said the city is still working out the details of the plan, which he said is tentative.

LORA PABST