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THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2021
VOL. 17 NO. 6 www.readthecitizen.com $1.00
TROOP 151: Has long history of producing Eagle Scouts PAGE 14 Daylight Saving Time begins March 14
Residents voice trail, skate park concerns
Protect and serve
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM LEAD EDITOR
HUGO — Some residents hope the City Council will reconsider both the proposed trail along 147th Street and the location of the skate park within Lions Park. As construction season quickly approaches, the city of Hugo is working to solidify plans for not only the 2021 proposed downtown street project, but also the improvements at Lions Park. The street reconstruction project is slated to include 147th Street (west of Hwy 61 to Finale Avenue); Flay Avenue (from 147th Street north to the cul-de-sac); Finley Avenue (from 145th Street to Upper 146th Street); Fitzgerald Avenue (from 146th Street to 147th Street); Upper 146th Street (from Finale Avenue to Fitzgerald Avenue); and 146th Street (from Finale Avenue to Hwy 61). The project will also include the new construction of 147th Street from Finale Avenue to Oneka Parkway through existing fields, and the removal of Finale Avenue from Upper 146th Street to 147th Street. The existing portion of Finale Avenue bisects expanded Lions Park and will be removed. The developer of Hugo Gardens will construct the new alignment on the west side of the park. The street reconstruction project is estimated to cost $3.66 million; $264,840 of that will come from assessments. Per the city’s assessment policy, benefiting residential properties will be charged $5,200 per unit. Five residents attended the public hearing for the project March 1. One main
Unless the judge delays it, this week the televised trial of Derek Chauvin begins, the former Minneapolis police officer charged with the killing of George Floyd. His death on Chicago Avenue still echoes across the country, and puts Chauvin and a metro police department on trial for use-of-force. In the northeast suburbs, neighborhood policing is routine. Many suburban departments are using this time to examine how they train and restrain. Press Publications asked five local and county departments about how they train and policies on restraining to give suburban residents perspective how local police departments respond.
SEE 147TH STREET TRAIL, PAGE 3
With the civil unrest that occurred after the death of Mr. Floyd last summer, we did review our policies and
procedures to make sure they aligned with what is expected by the public. Specifically highlighted in the media since the George Floyd incident is the use of the neck restraint. We have not trained in any form of neck restraints for many years and they are considered deadly force per our policies. Our use of force policy matches that of the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training model policy. We have always been transparent with our policies and procedures, we have a link on our website to make our policies easily accessible. All of our deputies receive
t es! bou tuniti A Us por Ask g Op sin rai d • FRESH FLORAL Fun
training in Crisis Intervention. This training provides deputies the verbal skills to deescalate situations as our goal is to only use force as a last resort. Here is a link to our policies for your review: co.washington.mn.us/468/ Sheriffs-Office
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How has the political, pandemic or racial climate affected your agency?
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The pandemic has been a challenge for us, as it has been for everyone, from how we approach our response SEE PROTECT AND SERVE, PAGES 8-9
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The number of calls we respond to has remained consistent as in the previous year.
We have 267 full -time staff at the Sheriff’s Office with 115 of them being sworn deputies. Along with this group of dedicated employees, we have dozens of volunteer staff that support our agency in many
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How has the number of calls your agency responded to changed during the past year?
How many staff are in your department today? How does this compare to 2020?
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areas. We have the same number of employees now as we did in 2020.
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Washington County Sheriff’s Office
Washington County Sheriff’s Office Has the department/ agency changed any training, policies or approved restraints since the death of George Floyd? Please explain.