Minneapolis Indigenous groups seek police help with homeless camps, drug traffickers

The Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors (MUID) on Minneapolis’ South Side are calling for increased police action against drug users and dealers as they face overwhelming challenges from transient gatherings. They proposed establishing 50-yard exclusionary zones around their properties to prohibit homeless encampments and limit volunteer efforts. MUID Chair Robert Lilligren referred to the situation as a “desperate cry for help,” acknowledging the coalition's internal disagreements about the resolution. Joe Hobot, president of the American Indian Opportunities Industrialization Center, pointed out the negative impact of addiction on their campus, which has lost staff and students due to public drug use. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara has issued directives allowing officers to dismantle encampments, leading to a notable decrease in their numbers.

Mayor Jacob Frey reported the city spent $63,000 to close 13 small camps from December to March, compared to $333,000 for larger ones later. Ruth Buffalo, CEO of the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center, indicated that her organization faces threats from those targeting vulnerable women, exhausting resources on private security. The MUID resolution calls for increased police patrols around member organizations and weekly reports to address these pressing issues.