Chris Coleman for Saint Paul

Because Chris Coleman knows that we all must feel safe in our homes and neighborhoods, public safety comes first in Saint Paul. Mayor Coleman has brought fire and police staffing to historically high levels and has improved upon the world-class service that our departments provide. As a result, in the last three years, violent crime has dropped 10% in Saint Paul.

More Cops than Ever

Chris Coleman has maintained and improved upon Saint Paul’s commitment to community policing and innovative crime-fighting strategies — and as a result, the men and women of the Saint Paul Police Department are second to none. Not only did the mayor put more cops on the street than ever before, he has used overtime strategically to ensure that our community remains a safe place to live and work.

A 21st-Century Fire Department

Chris Coleman’s dedication to improving service has brought Fire Department response times — that critical period of time between your emergency call and when firefighters and paramedics arrive — to a 22-year low. In addition, Mayor Coleman partnered with the City Council to perform an extensive audit that has brought operations into the 21st-century, including by establishing the City’s first stand-alone emergency-preparedness department.

On the Cutting Edge

In 2009, Saint Paul became the first city in Minnesota to successfully use civil injunctions to stem gang violence at community festivals. In the last three years, Saint Paul has partnered with Ramsey County to create a joint Emergency Communications Center and make critical investments in 800-megahertz technology that will improve communications in the event of natural disaster — and keep our residents safer.

A Bridge to Safety in a Time of Need

In 2008, Mayor Coleman and advocates for victims of domestic abuse opened the Bridges to Safety. This private, non-profit brings together the critical safety and support services that survivors of domestic violence need the most. Through a centrally-located office in City Hall, victims can receive orders for protection, medical attention, culturally-relevant advocacy services for themselves and their children, law-enforcement and civil-legal services, and consultation with prosecutors. The center also offers a designated area where children can play while their parent or guardian is receiving assistance. Bridges to Safety also refers domestic-violence survivors to additional services such as employment counseling, housing assistance, mental-health and chemical-dependency counseling.