An earlier start to tackling downtown Minneapolis crime

You can't miss the safety ambassadors along Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. They're uniformed in bright yellow, lime green pull-overs, and their job is to keep the peace.

"Part of the strategy is to get out with a more constant presence," said Steve Cramer, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council. "Just making the street lively."

The plan launched this weekend and runs through November. It includes extra police patrols and officers posted on Hennepin Avenue during commute times. But it also includes Downtown District Improvement ambassadors and outreach resources.

"Summit Academy OIC, which is a good training program based in North Minneapolis, starting next week, will have a strong presence along Hennepin Avenue, a bike kiosk," said Cramer.

On the first weekend of beautiful spring weather in April, Jan Byer and her 7-year-old daughter Jessica strolled Hennepin Avenue.

"I think the idea is good, but is its execution, and the whole philosophy behind it really positive," said Byer. "I'm a school teacher so I'm kind of looking at it very differently."

Byer teaches in Bloomington and believes there has to be relationship-building between the police, the people who are wearing the safety ambassador uniforms, and people in the area.

For Jim Briski of Minneapolis, the presence of more security and safety ambassadors means he'll visit downtown more.

"I get a little afraid downtown at night when I see gangs of people standing around," said Briski. "If I feel not scared at night to come and see the nightlife, yeah, I think it's for the better, because it was, kind of scary down here you know."

Outside of the Saloon, on 9th and Hennepin, Cameron Powell is taking a quick smoke break.

She said getting a handle on crime enforcement earlier in the year is good PR for the city, its mayor and police chief, but she feels an escalated police presence often "feels like things are brewing."

She questions the strategy of the ambassadors and those working with the police.

"If they're going to go about it the correct way, and really be ambassadors, and the people who people can talk to, and without fear of repercussion, I think that's wonderful," said Powell. "Open communication is best communication, and it's the best way to get things done."

When Mayor Betsy Hodges and Police Chief Janee Harteau jointly announced the effort on Thursday, both stressed being able to do more than make arrests.

"We cannot simply arrest our way out of this challenge," said Hodges. "While the presence of law enforcement remains an important piece of maintaining livability on Hennepin Avenue, it cannot by itself make Hennepin Avenue feel safe."