Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Tim Nelson

New head of Mpls. police union defends law that bans 'lurking'

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

The Minneapolis City Council is holding a hearing Wednesday afternoon on a proposal to eliminate some minor crimes from city ordinances including spitting and lurking.

Critics say the laws are used disproportionately to cite and arrest blacks and other minorities.

However, the new head of city's police union says they're legitimate law enforcement tools that can help thwart more serious crime.

"You see someone in your yard late at night. You call 911. Police come. The person hides from them in some area of your yard, and he hasn't tried to break in, he hasn't tried to break in to any vehicles, or steal anything. Won't tell you what he's doing, has no reason to be in the area," said Lt. Bob Kroll, president-elect of the Minneapolis police union. "The police use that for lurking with intent to commit a crime."

As for targeting, Kroll said officers are often responding to complaints and 911 calls. They're not picking out suspects themselves.

"I don't see any targeting," he said. "And to make those kinds of arrests, officers have to articulate their means for doing so. They definitely have to articulate the crime being committed or what they think is about to be committed. So, it's not a matter of randomly pulling people over and charging them for this."