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7. Response to 11/12/24 City Council Meeting, Public Comment Regarding Panhandling <br />Police Captain Owens provided background information related to the November 12, <br />2024 Council Meeting, public comment period, request to adopt an ordinance limiting <br />panhandling to areas set away from daycares and schools. He stated that panhandling is <br />a legal activity and can not be prohibited by ordinance. However, the person that is <br />panhandling cannot have disorderly conduct, impede traffic and must leave when asked <br />if panhandling on private property. He stated that the site that was identified at public <br />comment, Birch & Hodgson has had 20 police calls since November 3rd and before that <br />there were two calls in the last two years. He stated that other than that site, there is <br />one other site that has had a couple of calls. He noted that the person that is <br />panhandling at Birch & Hodgson is not disorderly, does not impede traffic and is not on <br />private property. So, while they have offered resource information to the individual, he <br />is not breaking any laws. <br />Captain Owens shared the City of Woodbury information regarding panhandling, posted <br />on their website. The website identifies that panhandling is a legal activity and asks <br />residents to contribute to local resource centers to best help people. He said that a <br />further option would be to install signs regarding panhandling and directing readers to <br />contribute to local resource centers. He stated that although there are examples of <br />other cities that have signs, that is not immediately recommended for Lino Lakes. <br />Council Consensus <br />It was the consensus of the City Council to monitor the calls for service and direct the <br />Public Safety Department to report back, if call numbers remain high after 30-days. <br />8. 3rd Quarter Public Safety Update <br />Deputy Public Safety Director Leibel provided the 3rd Quarter Public Safety Update. The <br />police and fire divisions reviewed future reporting changes that will impact the titles and <br />data sources for future reports, noting that may impact the comparison of calls for <br />service and other numbers. <br />Police Captain Owens reviewed the details of the police department calls for service by <br />type. He reviewed response times. He reviewed current and projected staffing levels <br />and the hiring process. <br />Deputy Public Safety Director/Fire Dan L'Allier reviewed the fire department total <br />number of calls for 3rd Quarter-24 and YTD. He reviewed the number of medical calls. He <br />presented response times. He provided an overview of the duty crew responsibilities. <br />The Council discussed the ambulance service in the area and regulations for operating <br />an ambulance service. <br />Page 4 of 6 <br />