Crime prevention begins at home — and with your CCP SAFE officers — get to know them
Summer is here, and your Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) Crime Prevention Specialists (CPS) at the 4th Precinct are hard at work. Veteran Crime Prevention Specialist Mary Etzioni has taken over for Shannon McDonnough in Sector 3, which includes all of the Camden neighborhoods north of Dowling Avenue. McDonnough left the police department to take a job with the City Council as policy aide for 1st Ward Council Member Kevin Reich.
Mary has been a CPS with the MPD for 15 years, and brings a wealth of experience to Sector 3. She is also eager to get to know as many Camden residents as she can, and looks forward to the opportunity to demonstrate her skills. Mary brings excellent communication skills, a strong work ethic and years of experience to the position. She especially wants people to know that she's open to hearing the community's needs and is looking forward to working with all of the people of her sector.
"I particularly appreciate the opportunity to meet and get to know so many different people." Etzioni said. "I enjoy seeing how people with many different backgrounds and histories come together to form a community. I'm always struck by the fact that despite our differences, we are all essentially the same in what we want: to live in peace, and feel safe and secure in our communities. I'm really looking forward to helping folks in Camden achieve those goals."
Mary is no stranger to the Northside. In addition to working here, she's also a 36 year resident of North Minneapolis. "I live in a great neighborhood in North Minneapolis, and really have some terrific neighbors" she said. My own block club is very active. It meets every month and really helps to foster good neighbor relations."
Many Camden residents who live between Lowry and Dowling already know Mary from her work in those neighborhoods in the past several years. She's had experience in the McKinley, Folwell and Cleveland neighborhoods. Those neighborhoods are now being covered by Jennifer Waisanen, another veteran CPS with 10 years of experience with the MPD. Jennifer brings her experience from the Jordan, Hawthorne and Folwell neighborhoods to McKinley and Cleveland. "I really enjoy helping people address their crime and neighborhood safety concerns," she said. "My hope is that people will get more involved in their community, in whatever capacity works best for them. Just getting to know your neighbors, and looking out for each other are so important. I really want to help people do that."
Mary and Jennifer both invite Camden residents to call them if they want to get involved as a block club leader, or to find out if there's already an active block club in their area. Block clubs working on specific crime and safety issues are also encouraged to call. Mary can be reached at 612-673-3364. Jennifer's number is 612-673-5873.
Many Camden residents had the opportunity to meet both Mary and Jennifer on May 15 at the 4th Precinct/Special Operations Center (SOC) open house. All three sector-based CPSs were on hand at the open house to meet and greet neighborhood residents.
With beautiful spring weather and numerous attractions, police demonstrations and exhibits on display, the annual Police Week event was very successful. Demonstrations included a rappelling demo, with SWAT officers plunging down the wall of the SOC, deployment of both smoke and "flash bang" grenades used by SWAT for concealment and surprise, K9 demonstrations, and much more. Various police, fire and emergency vehicles were on display along with two military vehicles from the Fort Snelling Military History Museum. A steady stream of visitors came to the Open House throughout the course of the day, as evidenced by the 40 pounds of hotdogs that were served.
Fourth Precinct Officers, supervisors, command staff, Sector Lieutenants and Crime Prevention Specialists want all Camden residents to know that they're here to serve and assist you, and encourage you to get involved in the life of your community. Give them a call to find out how.