Public Safety

The Issue

East Bethel purchases dedicated law-enforcement service from the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office. Public safety is essential, but the city also has a responsibility to understand what it is buying, what problems dedicated patrol is intended to solve, and whether service levels are producing the outcomes residents need.

Why It Matters

A contract can consume significant taxpayer dollars while leaving the city with limited visibility into deployment, response times, patrol priorities, and the relationship between dedicated service and baseline county responsibilities.

My Position

East Bethel should define local public-safety priorities first, then purchase services that match those priorities. Dedicated resources should focus on the needs of East Bethel residents and businesses rather than simply adding activity on state highways and county roads.

What I Would Do as Mayor

• Require clearer reporting on calls for service, response times, patrol activity, and outcomes.
• Evaluate whether dedicated patrol hours are aligned with actual demand by time and location.
• Prioritize neighborhoods, business areas, and local security concerns.
• Distinguish between services East Bethel is purchasing and duties already owed as part of countywide law enforcement.
• Review contract performance before committing residents to future service levels.

What Success Looks Like

A public-safety strategy residents can understand: clear priorities, transparent performance information, appropriate service levels, and a contract that delivers measurable local value.