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An important conversation about public safety

Ben Winnick
Guest Columnistbroadstreet.zone(48036);
One of the most fundamental things that local government must always do is find the best way to keep the people who live and work in a community safe. This has always been “job one” for the Forest Lake City Council, but the threats we face today and the challenges we have to resolve are growing much more complex.
It is because of the growing complexity of these challenges that we have begun asking some important questions. Is there a better way for the city of Forest Lake to make sure its residents are safe and protected? Does it make sense to build partnerships with agencies that, because of their size, have access to more resources? Or do we continue to use the same old approach to this critical service?
These are questions we must always ask and never be afraid of the answers. This is why the city of

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Contract law enforcement news and opinion roundup

Here is some of the latest news and opinions around Forest Lake regarding the city’s request for a proposal for contract law enforcement through the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
The city has scheduled a special work session at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 6 that will include a discussion of the city’s guiding principles while it engages in process of evaluating contract law enforcement. The agenda packet for the meeting is available on the city’s website.broadstreet.zone(48036);
On Jan. 29, Councilwoman Mara Bain wrote a letter to the commissioners of Washington County regarding the contract law enforcement request. In the letter, she discussed the nature in which the request was made and urged the commissioners to listen to public feedback about the request. Her letter is available here.
Local readers began writing letters to the Forest Lake Times last week regarding the issue. These letters can be found in The Times’ Feb. 3 issue and online

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