Board approves addendum to Metro Street Crimes Unit agreement

Clay County commissioners voted May 13 to approve Addendum No. 2 to the Metro Street Crimes Unit agreement, a clarification of how participating law-enforcement agencies operate across the river and county lines.

County and sheriff’s office presenters said the agreement dates from about 2015 and the addendum adjusts language to reflect that the Metro Street Crimes Unit is a daily collaborative working relationship rather than a mutual‑aid arrangement. “The previous agreement had it written to where it was more of a mutual aid style agreement… so it’s not really a mutual aid. It’s a daily working relationship that we have with them,” the sheriff said.

The sheriff described the unit’s membership as including Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo, Cass County, Clay County and, recently, U.S. Marshals. Commissioners called the cooperative effort “invaluable” and cited past legislative concerns that briefly affected cross‑river partnering before the current wording resolved those issues.

Commissioner Ebinger moved approval of the addendum to the Metro Street Crimes Unit agreement and the joint exercise of peace officer duties; Commissioner Behr seconded. The board approved the motion by voice vote with the chair announcing the motion carried.

County attorney staff reviewed and approved the updated language before the presentation, according to the sheriff’s remarks. No changes to funding or personnel assignments were presented at the meeting; the vote updated the interagency agreement language to reflect current practice.