Derek Chauvin Trial
Safety Information & Resources

 

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The Lake Street Council will be in constant contact with the Minneapolis Police Department and other relevant organizations to advocate for safety on the Lake Street Corridor during the trial of Derek Chauvin.

We will share important information as it becomes available. Sign up for our email newsletter here or subscribe to text message updates by texting LAKESTBIZ to (833) 481-0074.

For detailed information about the trial and received updates, please visit Minnesota Judicial Branch: State vs. Derek Chauvin information page.

Current Public Safety Updates

Public Safety Updates
Operation Safety Net leaders host a public safety briefing every Monday at 2:00 pm. Watch live on the Operation Safety Net YouTube channel or the Operation Safety Net Facebook page

Law Enforcement Presence
Lake Street has seen an increased presence of law enforcement personnel and the Minnesota National Guard. The National Guard had 500 service members supporting the Twin Cities area, as of Monday morning. That number is expected to grow to 3,000 throughout the week.

Powderhorn Safety Collective
Powderhorn Safety Collective will be out every night this week, focusing on Lake Street. They encourage any business owners that would like to get in touch, to reach out directly.

Report Damages & Losses
The City of Minneapolis is asking for businesses to report damages and losses to the City to understand the severity of the damages. Information will be used to assess if the City can find additional resources. Complete the form: English, Spanish, Somali.

Request Volunteers & Materials

Twin Cities Community Rebuilding Coalition can deploy volunteers and a limited amount of materials. Submit a request on their website.

Communicate with Neighbors
The Discord App will allow you all to communicate in real-time via text, voice, and video, in the event of any emergencies - riots, tornadoes, fires, etc.

Security Camera Registration

The City of Minneapolis uses registered security cameras to aid in investigations. Learn more details on their website.

Contacts

Call 911: for life safety emergencies requiring police, fire, or EMS (Emergency Medical Services)

Call 311: for non-emergency City information

Lake Street Council: email business-help@lakestreetcouncil.org (se habla español)

Business and property owners with questions about:

  • Advanced preparation before the trial

  • Business operations during the trial

  • General information about regulations and resources

    Email SmallBusiness@minneapolismn.gov or (612) 673-2499

Trial Timeline

March 8, 2021: Jury Selection begins for Derek Chauvin trial

March 29, 2021: Anticipated start of opening statements, State of Minnesota’s case begins vs. Derek Chauvin

Trial Duration: At a minimum , approximately 2-4 weeks. Jury deliberation anticipated to begin Monday April 19, 2021.

August 23, 2021: Trial proceedings begin for J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao trial

Trial Preparation and Public Safety Briefing:
Q&A with Chief Arradondo

View the entire session recording from the Trial Preparation: Lake Street Business Q&A with Chief Arradondo on February 18, 2021 below.

Public Safety Briefings

Operation Safety Net leaders host a public safety briefing every Monday at 2:00 pm. Watch live on the Operation Safety Net YouTube channel or the Operation Safety Net Facebook page

How to Prepare

The Lake Street Council does not encourage boarding of windows because it tends to keep customers away - people get the sense that the street is closed for businesses, and this has impacted sales tremendously. Instead we are encouraging people to install one of two transparent systems on their windows that prevent entry:

3M Security Film OR the Defenselite Security window system

If you choose to go with a security company, please fully protect yourself and property by only hiring licensed security personnel. Licensed security companies are required to maintain liability insurance and are certified to meet statutory qualifications and training. For a listing of licensed security companies, visit the State of Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services.

Lake Street Council recommends businesses take the following steps to prepare:

  • Develop emergency preparedness plans. Ready.gov has sample plans and guidance.

  • Upload electronic copies of important documents and records to an online cloud service (ex: Dropbox, Google Drive) and/or bring physical copies to an off-site location.

  • Minimize the amount of cash and checks on site.

  • Keep valuable inventory away from windows.

  • Consider the physical environment around your building. Remove or secure any potentially hazardous or flammable material, such as loose bricks or wood pallets.

  • Check in with your insurance company and make sure your policy is up-to-date and that you understand what your insurance policies cover as well as their insurance limits.

Minnesota law enforcement officials have also established Operation Safety Net, to ensure everyone can safely have their voices heard before, during, and after the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the trial take place?

Currently, the trial of Derek Chauvin is scheduled to begin on March 8, 2021, with jury selection. Jury selection could run through March 26, 2021. Opening statements and the commencement of the State’s case will begin no earlier than March 29, 2021. Three other former Minneapolis police officers (J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao) will be tried together, in a separate trial, beginning Aug. 23, 2021.

How long will the trial last?

We do not know how long the trial will last. At a minimum, experts anticipate the trial could last 2-4 weeks.

Who are the defendants?

The defendants are former Minneapolis police officers. The four are: Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao.

Where will the trial take place?

The trial is scheduled to take place in Hennepin County District Court. The Hennepin County Courthouse is in downtown Minneapolis, adjacent to Minneapolis City Hall and near the Federal Courthouse. For more information related to downtown Minneapolis during the trial, refer to Minneapolis Downtown Council.

Will there be one trial? Or will each defendant be tried separately?

There will be two trials. Jury selection for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin will begin on March 8, 2021. Opening statements, in that case, are scheduled for March 29, 2021. A second trial will begin on Aug. 23, 2021, for former officers J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao. The three will be tried together.

Will the trial be televised?

Yes, the judge ruled that cameras will be allowed in the courtroom.

Will there be protests?

No known protests are scheduled at this time, but they are anticipated. Protests around racial and social justice have occurred in cities and towns across the United States, including in Minneapolis. It is important to note that most protests that took place in Minneapolis in 2020 were peaceful.

How is the city of Minneapolis preparing to maintain public safety during the trial?

A coordinated planning effort by the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Metro Transit Police Department, Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Minnesota State Patrol, the Minnesota National Guard, and additional mutual aid partners are part of the security plan leading up to and through the trial.

Will Minneapolis businesses be open or closed during the trial?

Yes, Minneapolis will be open for business before, during, and after the trial.

Does Minneapolis still have a police department? Has the Minneapolis Police Department been defunded/disbanded?

Yes, the Minneapolis City Charter requires a minimum level of police staffing based on the number of residents in Minneapolis, and the 2021 city budget includes more than $171 million for the MPD. In addition, the city is investing in additional community safety initiatives.

When will the National Guard and additional security presence be on Lake Street?

1,000+ Law enforcement and National Guards members will be present across the Twin Cities including Lake Street throughout the trial, starting March 8th.

Will public transit be available during the trial?

At this time, no disruptions are planned for services on Lake Street or in Minneapolis. Read more information from the City of Minneapolis and Metro Transit leaders here.