PEOPLE NEWS
You may have heard that 2nd Precinct Inspector Nick Torborg retired at the end of 2025. Our Acting Inspector is Troy Schoenberger formerly MPD Second Precinct Lieutenant: – Daywatch.
Acting Inspector Schoenberger is staying on top of things as you might expect, so won’t be here tonight, but assured me that a person would be here to comment on State of the Precinct.
The U of M just announced that UMPD has a new chief; Matt Clark retired last spring. The new UMPD Chief is Michael A. Davis and his first official day is today, January 12. We’ll invite him to PAC to tell us about his plans for the UMPD after he’s had a chance to get a bit settled. In the meantime, I found his official biography: https://twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/michael-davis-named-university-minnesota-assistant-vice-president-and-chief-police I think you’ll be impressed when you read it.
The 2-PAC 42nd 10-Hour Buffet for First responders, recap:
The 42nd 10-hour buffet saw a drop in attendance during the day but a surge in deliveries. People signing in came from all 5 MPD Precincts, Mpls Fire Dept., the Minneapolis Park Police, U of MN Police Dept and Members of the Behavioral Crisis Response.
Every year we deliver to staff who are not allowed to leave their work sites during a shift. This year, deliveries went to HCMC EMTs, Metro Transit, Hennepin County Sheriff’s office, and especially to 911 which saw a huge increase — they’ve added social workers to their staff as well as adding new hires. Most deliveries went out twice on the 24th because there people work 10-hour overlapping shifts over the 24 hour day.
I’ve always been able to ask people about nut/dairy/gluten food restrictions, but this year, for the first time, I could also ask if people preferred Halal or vegetarian foods. As it turns out, supervisors let me know how much THEY appreciated being able to offer Halal and vegetarian food to their crews.
The Supervisors join me in thanking all the people who donate, who pick up donations and who deliver meals to the folks who can’t leave their stations during a shift.
The 2-PAC Buffet’s long-term supporter, Jeff Meehan, pulled a surprise. He triggered a surge in vegetarian and Halal donations. I mentioned this to the first person I saw who had an East African name on his name tag, and we walked down the line together to verify what was there. He must have spread the word. For the rest of the day, we had more people with East African names than I’ve ever seen before, coming in and looking for the new donations.. The last person requesting a special diet came in about 4 minutes before closing and said she would take carryout back to her station. People were waiting for it.
A LOT of new people showed up to help with this event: Meghann McLouth, John Larkey, Tony Kahn, and Sarah Ridens did their first soliciting and WELCOME ABOARD! They brought in a serious boatload of new dishes to share. Thanks to Meghann and John, Aster Cafe, Brasa, Heather’s, Jefe Cocina, and the Nicollet Island Inn donated for the first time. Tony Kahn brought in Curry Corner, and Sarah Ridens asked Flamin’ Thai to contribute.
A couple more shout outs: We also had a lot of new people on the floor making things work — and I’m really sorry I didn’t make it around the floor to give you all a personal welcome. I have to call out the warrior who spent hours on her feet, prepping for the deliveries: she organized and labeled bags of plates and flatware to go along with the deliveries (counted to match the # of people expected at that site) — Now I really wish I knew her name. We’d never done that before and it made things so SO. MUCH. BETTER!! Thank you.
Finally: Jeff Meehan talked his reliable donors into upping the amounts of food they gave this year, and Jeff’s donors always send buffet favorites. THANK YOU Jeff for your hard work, including hauling in 30 pounds of crustless chicken pot pie from L&B. Did anyone know there is such a thing as vegetarian Hot-wings? Now you know.
We had a big drop in attenders (only 115 signed — down by at least 40), but we delivered 299 meals, delivering to a lot of new hires, especially to the 911 office. I have to assume that the 41 volunteers who made it happen, enjoyed this treat as well.
I’m calling it 455 people served.
Lost and Found I have a full carton of Fresh Nap moist towelettes and a 26 oz bag of ‘Thank You Buttermints’ in my living room. I’d like to get those back to where they belong so if they’re yours, let me know, please.
STATE OF THE PRECINCT chart
| NIBRS Crime Metrics |
| Crime 2026 2025 3 yr. Ave. |
| Assault 78 65 71 |
| Incl. Domestic 0 1 1 |
| B&E 21 24 19 |
| Vandalism 47 64 67 |
| Homicide 0 0 1 |
| Homicide, negligent 0 0 |
| Larceny 148 142 145 |
| MV Theft 59 51 69 |
| Robbery 1 9 8 |
| Incl. Car Jacking 0 1 1 |
| Sex Offenses 3 7 6 |
| Stolen Property 1 0 1 |
| Weapons Law Violation 5 2 3 |
| Shots Fired 16 23 18 |
| Gun Wound Vics. 5 2 3 |
Please note that this is a 28-Day report. It covers two holidays so doesn’t seem to fit into the pattern we’ve seen in many months. I’ll also relate that when an officer came in at about 4:30, I asked him where everyone was, because our headcount was lower than usual. His answer was “On Traffic”. That sounded like there were a lot of squads on the street which would have impacted our attendance.
Re-bolding and Rebuilding 2-PAC
2-PAC: WHAT WE DO AND WHAT WE ARE:
2-PAC offers a place where Eastside residents and First Responders can come together to share their concerns and needs. We welcome residents, business owners, and other stakeholders who are concerned about crime, livability issues, and other issues, to coordinate responses with our first Responders. Our goals are to facilitate information exchange and to increase safety across the Precinct. We offer a safe place for open conversation, where people can build mutual trust.
In addition to the 12/24 Buffet, 2-PAC holds a monthly meeting and has info and outreach tables at Open Streets in the Precinct and other events. I’m hoping we will again have a Precinct Open House in May. This year only Precincts 3, 4, and 5 held May Open House events, and I hope we can join them.
Walking toward the future, together:
2-PAC has not had a Planning & Business team since 2020 thanks to Covid. Four of the most active board members moved away or got hit with a heavier workload.
The team was a group of people who are interested in keeping the 2nd Precinct the safest place to live and work in the city. Teams have been made up of residents (owners and renters), business people (owners and staff), professionals of all kinds. Past presidents include someone who went on to work at the Met Council, medical and safety professionals, teachers, parents and friends. Anyone who is interested in safety and friendship in the 2nd is wanted at 2-PAC. I hope business and professional organizations will again send a member to 2-PAC.
There are many reasons to restart this effort: more hands make light work, more brains come up with brighter ideas; more experience makes better technology, but the bottom line is:
We need more people to bring their energy and ideas about creating a better 2-PAC.
Being on a planning team is an extra 1+ hour meeting to add to your month, plus the time it takes you to complete whatever task you are interested in doing for 2-PAC.
But look at what you get back:
- safety,
- a stronger community,
- getting to know the good people near you,
- learning where to get help when you need it,
- finding resources you never knew you already have.
If you have an idea you’d like to share, a safety issue you’d like to point to, a way of doing things differently, let’s start talking or get back to me — soon, I hope.
Future meetings already on the list: Meeting the new UMPD Chief and the new 2nd Precinct Inspector; CSI Minneapolis (2 people from MPD Forensics introduced themselves on 12/24). I’m getting advice on dealing with ICE from ALL of my City, State. and Federal Representatives and I’m sure you are as well. When we feel something needs discussion, 2-PAC will be a good place to discuss.
**See Courtwatch2PAC.com for past reports. The Searchbox on the right side of the screen is very responsive to key terms. Try entering 911 Youth drones Rainville
Emilie Quast, Member
MPD Second Precinct Advisory Council (2-PAC)
2nd Precinct Advisory Council 