March 29, 2021 Hastings Community: The trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin began today, March 29. Events leading up to the tragic death of George Floyd will be replayed through video testimony and social media, once again evoking a wide range of emotions for victims, citizens, and the policing community. The civil unrest, violence, and destruction of last summer will forever be etched in our minds and will no doubt elicit fear as the trial begins.

Rest assured, Hastings Police Department’s primary obligation is to protect human life and to treat everyone with respect and dignity. As a police department, we will not interfere with peaceful assemblies and demonstrations. At the same time, we will not tolerate unlawful behavior or the destruction of property, as these behaviors threaten the safety of our residents and our community.

For several months, the Hastings Police Department has been preparing and collaborating with our local and East-Metro agencies to ensure the safety of our community during and after the trial. Your help in protecting our community is needed as well. If you see something, say something by calling or texting 911.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety has also established social media channels to provide accurate and up-todate information. Operation Safety Net social media channels are the best place to find official, accurate and up-to-date information about public safety response and activities surrounding the trial of Derek Chauvin. Please follow those channels & share with your family, friends, coworkers and neighbors.

As proud servants and protectors of our community, the Hastings Police Department remains committed to providing fair and impartial service to ALL residents and visitors. This will be a difficult time for us all and we understand the heightened emotions, stress, and anxiety.

The city encourages you to reach out to family members, friends, or others in your support network. You may also benefit from the below resources:

• Minnesota crisis hotline – Text “MN” to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor

• United Way 211 – Call 211 to connect with mental health experts and resources

• Dakota County Suicide and Crisis Response Line 952-891-7171

• Dakota County Healthy Communities Collaborative-resources and events https:// bit.ly/3db4IGG