Senators to hold campus safety hearing Tuesday
A recent rash of assaults and robberies at the University of Minnesota has prompted a Senate hearing on campus safety.
Higher education committee Chairwoman Terri Bonoff says she's been hearing from worried parents for the past three weeks:
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
"They're saying in particular my daughter is going to the University of Minnesota, and we are really concerned. We're getting these crime alerts. They're sending us these crime alerts. We're scared. What's happening? What are you doing?"
Although this week's hearing has been prompted by concerns at the U's Twin Cities campus, the Minnetonka DFLer says she has invited law enforcement officials from various metro-area schools and cities to the Capitol.
She says the public needs to hear a comprehensive review of what they're doing to keep students safe:
"You've got all these different entities protecting our kids. I think it's important for the public to be able to have a venue where they hear a comprehensive approach to what we're doing to keep our kids safe."
Bonoff said hearings such as Tuesday's should help foster more cooperation among law enforcement officials. And she said she wants to know if police face any legal obstacles to better enforcement or need more resources that legislators could provide.
Details:
Higher Education Metro Campus Safety Update
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 10
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Room 15, State Capitol