Trust is invaluable for effective relationships between law enforcement and the community. That’s why the Ramsey County Attorney’s office recently released a video with testimonials from law enforcement leaders across the county.

In 2021 Ramsey County law enforcement officers announced they would reduce reliance on non-public-safety traffic stops (for things like one taillight out or something hanging from a rear-view mirror). County Attorney John Choi and police chiefs from Maplewood, Roseville, St. Anthony Village, and Saint Paul wanted to decrease unnecessary traffic stops, while building trust and safety for the community. Black drivers in Ramsey County were four times more likely to be stopped, and nine times more likely to be searched, than white drivers for these minor violations.

With support from the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office has been able to leverage philanthropy to support this important work by creating the Ramsey County Public Safety Fund. This fund provides funding for non-public-safety traffic stop research as well as financial assistance to those who may need it in the form of a coupon for repairing equipment, or assistance getting expired tabs renewed.

“This partnership with many of our police chiefs represents a true paradigm shift for how law enforcement agencies handle non-public traffic safety stops in our community and deliver a better version of safety and justice for all,” said Ramsey County Attorney John Choi.

“I am grateful for the funding provided by the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation to create a Ramsey County Public Safety Fund to support this initiative and the real leadership exhibited by our local law enforcement leaders to make this cultural paradigm shift a reality.”