Initiatives

Wireless Minneapolis

The City of Minneapolis signed a 10-year contract with US Internet of Minnetonka to provide Minneapolis with cutting-edge broadband technology. US Internet will fund, build and manage a wireless network covering all 59 square miles of Minneapolis, providing residents, businesses and visitors with wireless broadband access anywhere in the City. The network will allow the City to deliver services more efficiently and effectively than ever before. Wireless Minneapolis also includes benefits to the community that go beyond what any other city in the country has negotiated.

The BIS department is leading this initiative and will be actively engaged in partnership with City departments to implement this technology in the delivery of City services.

Downtown Safe Zone

The Downtown Safe Zone initiative is working to increase downtown safety by partnering the Police Department with corporations, private security companies, County Sheriff's deputies and Metro Transit Police. With the support of Target Corporation, 29 Safe Zone cameras covering 30 blocks have been installed. Through Safe Zone the Minneapolis Police Department has expanded its uniformed presence and improved response times. As a result, the most serious crimes downtown have declined 21% overall, assaults have declined 24%, and robberies have declined 50% downtown. The Downtown Safe Zone technology is administered by the BIS Department. For more information see the Downtown Safe Zone.

ShotSpotter

ShotSpotter is just one way Minneapolis is using new technology to make neighborhoods safer. The City’s budget provides for $2 million in public safety technology funding over the next two years. BIS is a partner in bringing new technology to public safety.

In addition to providing 911 dispatchers and police with better tools to respond to shots, it is expected the technology will eventually deter would-be criminals from committing gun violence.