Nearly a year and a half after Minneapolis became the center of a nationwide rallying cry against police brutality, and following a lively municipal election with strong voter turnout, our city has chosen a path forward that combines our history of common-sense reform with a deep-seated desire to build a more equitable city.
Now that voters have rejected the public safety referendum known as City Question 2, embraced a strong mayor system, re-elected Mayor Jacob Frey, and added new voices to the City Council who campaigned on creating partnerships and delivering real results, it's time to get to work on building a better, more inclusive, more responsive city that is prepared to win in the competition for talent while delivering prosperity more equitably.
First, I want to address why the Minneapolis Regional Chamber played such an active role in this election. Our nearly 2,300 business members employ tens of thousands of people in Minneapolis and around the region. The investments these businesses are making in the city, both physical and in personnel, help fuel our region and state. Our members are critically concerned about the future of Minneapolis.
Over the past many months, we've seen that Minneapolis is at a crossroads. The dual crises of systemic racism and a global pandemic spotlighted long-existing inequities, while also inspiring demands for action.
Our city has been simultaneously struggling with significant safety concerns, businesses facing uncertain futures and neighborhoods recovering from social unrest.
This election served as a definitive touchpoint regarding the work that comes next. It sent a clear message to policymakers that residents want action, not more words and unformed plans. They appreciate the sometimes-unlikely alliances among business, labor and community organizations to tackle the issues we face. And they want elected leaders and other policymakers to apply pragmatic solutions, open dialogue and good government to tackle our most challenging problems.
To succeed, the Twin Cities and Minnesota need a successful Minneapolis. Now that the election is over, and as we welcome more workers back to offices and workplaces in downtown and across the city, we ask our re-elected mayor and new and returning council members to focus on some critical issues that need immediate attention:
Make our community safe. We embrace the need for substantive reforms to our police force but believe those should incorporate serious concerns about keeping our community safe and should include the leadership of Police Chief Medaria Arradondo. Crime is increasing across the city. We support adding 200 sworn officers along with additional mental health support and alternate response systems to protect Minneapolis residents, workers and visitors.