Agenda Packet Cc - work session 6/9/2025

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Traffic Safety Car In order to further enhance traffic safety in our communities, the Orono Police Department has partnered with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Office of Traffic Safety and acquired a new grant -funded police vehicle that will target distracted and reckless drivers. The vehicle chosen for this task was a Mazda CX-90, which was upfitted by Guardian Fleet Services in order to equip the vehicle with a full emergency vehicle lighting and technology package. This specialty marked traffic unit will allow for the detection of distracted drivers who traditionally correct their behavior in the presence of marked law enforcement, but return to distracted driving when no law enforcement is visible nearby. In addition to being used by officers during patrol shifts and during Toward Zero Death enforcement campaigns, the squad will be deployed to our neighborhoods and schools to further educate drivers of all ages on the importance of prioritizing safety behind the wheel. Embedded Social Worker Hennepin County established a new program in 2019 to have an embedded social worker amongst officers in police departments throughout the County. In 2022, Orono, along with 6 other local departments joined this program. The goal is to connect individuals that may be experiencing homelessness, mental health situations, and/or substance abuse issues with a social worker that can provide ongoing support, resources and appropriate services. Officers can provide referrals to the social worker when they are concerned about a citizen's situation and ongoing care. In 2024, 137 cases were referred to our social worker. Positive impacts have been made from both the law enforcement system side and those that are experiencing these health concerns. Embedded Social Worker Expansion within Hennepin County 2019 2020-2021 2022 2023 2024 5 workers 15 workers 31 workers 45 workers 45 workers 11 57