New Brighton, Minnesota Development News

New Brighton Public Safety Mid-Year Update Highlights Low Crime, Increased Incidents, and Staffing Initiatives

Director Patesnick provided a mid-year update on public safety activities in New Brighton, covering police, fire, and emergency management for the first half of 2026. The report highlighted historically low crime rates in 2025, particularly in theft and auto theft categories, attributing this success to resident efforts in crime prevention. Despite a slight uptick in property crimes in the first six months of 2026, overall crime remains low. The update also touched on the decreasing dispatch fees from Ramsey County Emergency Communications Center due to a lower share of 911 calls, but noted an increasing severity and expectation of response for incidents. Emergency medical incidents and fire/technical rescue incidents have seen a significant increase, with May being a record month for fire activity. The report detailed ongoing efforts and challenges in personnel recruitment and retention for law enforcement and fire services, including initiatives like the Pathways to Policing Grant and collaborations for EMT and firefighter certifications. Modernization of use-of-force equipment and body cameras was also mentioned. Community engagement efforts, such as the police dog trailer, National Night Out, and fire safety poster contests, were highlighted. A new mental health outreach program, funded by a $250,000 crisis response grant, will embed a mental health professional to work alongside officers. The report also addressed local issues like e-bike and e-moto regulations, park takeover events, and bridge encounters, emphasizing education and proactive presence. Finally, it celebrated the 80th anniversary of policing services in New Brighton and the 25th anniversary of the public safety merger.