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Rn•INEW <br /> 1U BRIGHTON <br /> building tomorrow today <br /> Council Worksession <br /> February 23, 2021 <br /> 5:00 pm <br /> Present: Mayor Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas <br /> Councilmember Abdullahi Abdulle <br /> Councilmember Graeme Allen <br /> Councilmember Pam Axberg <br /> Councilmember Emily Dunsworth <br /> Absent: <br /> Staff in Attendance: Devin Massopust, Tony Paetznick, Dan Olson, Trevor Hamdorf <br /> Guests in Attendance: <br /> Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this meeting was held virtually. <br /> Update from New Brighton Public Safety Director Tony Paetznick <br /> Massopust discussed the mission and vision of the New Brighton Public Safety Department. He explained to <br /> make improvements the City had to confront the facts, noting there was an uptick in crime in 2020. He <br /> reported Public Safety leadership will address policing strategies, including community engagement and crime <br /> prevention, to address this trend. <br /> Paetznick reported Part One Crimes increased by 37.3% in 2020 from the previous year, from 474 to 651 total <br /> incidents. He stated this was a significant increase. He explained Part One crimes include property crimes and <br /> crimes against persons. He noted property crimes really drive the increase in 2020, stating burglaries were up <br /> 56%, and auto thefts were up 59%. He explained 2019 was a record low year for crime stats. He discussed how <br /> the theft of motor vehicle parts was on the rise, especially catalytic converters and license plates. He <br /> encouraged residents to take simple crime prevention measures to make sure overhead garage doors are closed, <br /> to remove valuables from cars, to lock car doors overnight, along with doors to the house and garage to reduce <br /> crimes of opportunity. He reviewed a crime map for thefts and thefts of vehicles for the City of New Brighton. <br /> He encouraged residents with a Toyota Prius to park their cars indoors overnight. <br /> Paetznick discussed how New Brighton police officers were responding to the increase in crime. He reported <br /> officers were being proactive while on patrol. He explained the areas of most concern were being targeted by <br /> squads and foot patrol. In addition, officers were being proactive with traffic safety enforcement. He <br /> commented additional efforts for the department were focusing on camera trailer deployment, multi-agency <br /> crime alerts and community preparedness and crime prevention messaging. He thanked his deputy directors <br /> for being proactive and monitoring the crime taking place in the community. <br /> Hamdorf reported officers were working hard to identify potential suspects. He commented during the <br /> summertime officers were good about informing residents to close their garage doors in order to reduce crime. <br /> Olson stated it was time for residents to get back to the basics when considering how to prevent crimes of <br /> opportunity on their property. He encouraged residents to get to know their neighbors. He suggested <br />