Minneapolis mayor says police changes will increase safety

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced a sweeping set of public safety proposals that he said would make all neighborhoods in the city safe, while holding police officers accountable. The proposals were announced Monday after a particularly violent weekend during which a 9-year-old girl was shot in the head in a north Minneapolis neighborhood. The city has been under pressure to make changes to its police department since the May 25, 2020, death of George Floyd. Frey’s proposals include some immediate changes — such as prioritizing funding for officers’ overtime so patrols can increase, and ending traffic stops for low-level offenses. There is likely to be some political pushback, as some City Council members have favored a plan to recreate the police department.