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Ramsey County bill to subsidize security at cultural events laid over after testimony
Summary
Representative Hussain presented House File 2124 seeking grants to help cultural events pay security costs; testimony from Sheriff Bob Fletcher highlighted community-building and concerns that events are becoming unaffordable without public support. The committee laid the bill over for further consideration.
Representative Hussain introduced House File 2124, a proposal to create a grant to help Ramsey County cultural events and emerging communities pay for event security and community engagement. The committee moved to lay the bill over.
Hussain said cultural festivals bring communities together but organizers "often struggle to secure resources for safety and security." He framed the bill as a community-engagement and crime-prevention measure that would let law enforcement better connect with young people at events.
Sheriff Bob Fletcher, Ramsey County Sheriff, testified in support. Fletcher described long-term outreach efforts with Hmong, Somali and Karen communities, and he warned that high security costs were forcing some events to curtail activities. "We have an opportunity to maintain these relationships through community engagement and public events. It will not happen without some help," Fletcher said, estimating the county sought about $500,000 annually to support roughly 10-12 events with overtime security pay.
Committee members asked about event sizes, types covered, and alternative revenue sources. Fletcher said the request is primarily for events in underserved communities that lack the fee base to pay large security bills; he cited examples including soccer tournaments and the Rondo Day parade. He noted some traditional events in other communities pay for security through admission and vendor fees, but those funding models do not always apply to lower-income organizers.
Representative Hussain renewed his motion and the committee laid over the bill for further consideration of grant structure and budget.
