Welcome to the Public Safety Quarterly Report for Quarter 3 of 2025! This report is intended to keep our community informed about the latest updates from our Police and Fire Divisions. Each quarter, we share key statistics, highlight significant events and provide insights into ongoing and upcoming safety initiatives.
Our goal is to foster transparency, strengthen community engagement and ensure everyone stays informed about the efforts dedicated to keeping our city safe.
Safety Tip: Halloween Safety
As Halloween approaches, Fridley Public Safety reminds residents to take simple precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable evening for everyone in the community.
For emergencies, always call 911. Have a happy and safe Halloween from all of us at Fridley Public Safety!
Tips for Trick-or-Treaters
Emergency Preparedness
The City of Fridley takes emergency preparedness seriously - whether the threat comes from severe weather, a human-caused incident or a public safety crisis. The Fridley Public Safety Department, through its dedicated Emergency Management program, is committed to ensuring the safety and resilience of the community in all situations.
Led by the City's Emergency Management Coordinator, the department continually plans, trains and coordinates with local, regional and state partners to prepare for and respond to a wide range of emergency scenarios. From tornadoes and winter storms to infrastructure failures or critical incidents, Fridley Public Safety has the tools, training and partnerships needed to respond quickly and effectively.
Regional Awareness and Local Focus
Fridley's location in the metro area means the department remains alert to potential impacts from events in surrounding communities. At the same time, staff stay focused on safeguarding the City's critical infrastructure, schools, neighborhoods and places of worship.
Prepared to Respond and Recover
Through regular emergency drills, risk assessments and resource planning, the Fridley Public Safety Department ensures the City is not only ready to respond to emergencies but also positioned to recover and grow stronger afterward. This comprehensive approach to emergency management helps protect residents, businesses and visitors while building a more resilient community.
Past Events
Night to Unite
On August 5, Fridley celebrated Night to Unite with over 80 registered block parties throughout the City. This annual community-building event brought neighbors together from 6-9 p.m. for an evening of connection and celebration. Fridley Public Safety personnel and City staff visited parties across all six districts, strengthening relationships between residents and first responders in a relaxed, social setting. The event demonstrated the strong community spirit that makes Fridley special, with families gathering to enjoy food, games and conversation while building the partnerships that keep our neighborhood safe and connected.
Touch-A-Truck
Fridley's Touch-A-Truck event gave children and families a unique, hands-on opportunity to explore various emergency response and City service vehicles. Kids climbed into fire trucks, police cars, public works equipment and other specialized vehicles, experiencing what it's like to sit in the driver's seat and learning about how these important machines help keep our community safe and running smoothly. Fridley Public Safety personnel and City staff were on hand to answer questions and demonstrate equipment, creating lasting memories while educating young community members about the vital services that support our City every day.
Bike Rodeo
Fridley Public Safety hosted a Bike Rodeo event where children ages 5-12 learned essential bicycle safety skills in a fun, interactive environment. Participants navigated obstacle courses designed to teach proper bike handling, practiced hand signals and learned the rules of the road for safe cycling. Officers provided bike safety inspections and helmet fittings, ensuring that young riders had properly adjusted equipment. Free bike helmets were distributed to participants while supplies lasted, and families left with the knowledge and confidence needed to enjoy safe biking throughout the summer months.
Safety Camp
Fridley Public Safety partnered with Parks and Recreation to host Safety Camp for area children ages 8-10 at the Fridley Civic Campus on June 24-25. Campers learned important safety skills through hands-on activities covering topics including fire safety, water safety, bicycle safety, animal safety and emergency response. Fridley police officers and firefighters served as camp counselors alongside presenters from Anoka County 911 Communications, Allina Health, The Raptor Center and North Star Search and Rescue. All campers received new bike helmets and left with valuable knowledge to keep them safe throughout the summer.
'49er Days
Fridley's annual '49er Days festival brought the community together for three days of celebration in mid-June. The event kicked off with the traditional parade on Thursday evening, followed by a full weekend of family-friendly activities at Commons Park. Residents enjoyed live music, Kids Day in the Park, food vendors and various entertainment throughout the festival. This beloved tradition, celebrating Fridley's incorporation in 1949, continues to showcase the community spirit and volunteer dedication that makes our City a great place to call home.
Firearms Training
Firearms training is one of the most critical components of law enforcement preparation and ongoing professional development. Officers must be prepared to make split-second decisions in high-stress situations where lives may be at stake. Regular firearms training ensures that officers maintain the skills, accuracy and judgment necessary to protect themselves and the community they serve. This training goes far beyond simply learning to shoot, it includes scenario-based exercises that help officers develop sound decision-making skills, proper threat assessment, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Officers practice de-escalation techniques and learn when the use of a firearm is necessary and when alternative responses are more appropriate.
Fridley Public Safety takes firearms training seriously, requiring officers to complete regular qualification courses and participate in realistic training scenarios throughout the year. This consistent practice ensures that officers' skills remain sharp and that they can respond effectively and safely when faced with dangerous situations. Firearms training also builds confidence, allowing officers to focus on resolving incidents while maintaining the highest standards of safety and professionalism. By investing in comprehensive firearms training, the Fridley Police Department demonstrates its commitment to officer safety, public protection and accountable law enforcement practices that serve the community with integrity and excellence.
School Resource Officers
The Fridley School Resource Officer (SRO) Unit plays a vital role in keeping students safe while building positive relationships between law enforcement and youth. The current SRO team includes Officers Nico Wallat, David Kostuch and Chelsie Teetzel, who work closely with local school districts to provide safety, support, and mentorship.
Building Trust and Relationships
School Resource Officers serve as more than security personnel - they are mentors, role models and trusted adults who students can turn to for help. By maintaining a daily presence in schools, SROs build meaningful relationships with students, particularly at-risk youth who may benefit most from positive interactions with law enforcement. These connections help students see police officers as approachable community helpers rather than just authority figures.
The relationships SROs develop with students often extend beyond the school day. Officers become familiar faces who students trust, creating opportunities for early intervention when young people face challenges. This proactive approach helps address issues before they escalate while teaching students valuable life skills and respect for the law.
Commitment to Fridley Schools
Despite some police departments across the country withdrawing from school-based programs, Fridley's SROs have expressed a strong desire to remain involved in the schools they serve. Their dedication reflects a deep commitment to the Fridley community and the belief that these relationships make a lasting difference in students' lives.
Expanding the Program
Recognizing the value of the SRO program, plans are underway to add two more SRO positions for the next school year, with the potential for an additional position by 2026. The department is also developing an on-call schedule to provide after-hours support for school-related incidents. This expansion demonstrates Fridley's ongoing investment in school safety and youth development.
The dedication of our School Resource Officers to building strong, positive relationships with students is commendable and reflects the department's commitment to community-oriented policing.
Toward Zero Deaths Program
The Fridley Police Department has been awarded a full-time DWI officer grant by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) since October 2019. This grant, funded through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), covers the salary and benefits of one dedicated officer for a full year and can be renewed annually.
Program Focus
The primary focus of the Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) grant is to arrest and remove impaired drivers from our roadways, making Fridley streets safer for everyone. Officers assigned to this grant also enforce other dangerous driving behaviors including:
Measurable Impact
Since October 2019, Fridley's full-time TZD officers have made a significant impact on road safety:
These efforts have directly contributed to safer roads and potentially saved lives by removing dangerous drivers from our community.
County-Wide Collaboration
The Fridley Police Department also participates in the Anoka County TZD program, a collaborative effort involving all 11 law enforcement agencies in Anoka County, including the Minnesota State Patrol. This partnership provides high-visibility enforcement throughout the year, focusing on DWI prevention, speeding, distracted driving, seatbelt use and pedestrian safety.
Sergeant Chris McClish serves as the lead coordinator of the county-wide TZD program and hosts monthly meetings with representatives from each law enforcement agency, Anoka County Central Communications, and the Minnesota State Patrol. These meetings allow agencies to coordinate their efforts, share traffic enforcement strategies, and work toward their shared goal of zero traffic deaths.
Commitment to Safety
The Toward Zero Deaths program reflects Fridley's commitment to proactive traffic enforcement and community safety. Through dedicated officers and strategic partnerships, the department continues working toward the ultimate goal: eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries on our roads.
For more information about the Toward Zero Deaths Program, contact Sergeant Chris McClish.
Staff Spotlight - Lieutenant Todd
Lieutenant Andrew Todd grew up on the east side of Saint Paul before moving to Centerville at the beginning of high school. He began his law enforcement career in 2000 and has served as a police officer with the City of Fridley since 2005, bringing over 25 years of experience in public safety. He currently leads the Police Department’s Administrative Division, serves as the City’s Emergency Management Coordinator and is the Terminal Agency Coordinator for the department.
Education and Training: Lieutenant Todd holds two associate degrees from Century College - one in Criminal Justice and another in Law Enforcement. While serving the citizens of Fridley, he furthered his education at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Police Science and a Master’s Degree in Public Safety Administration. In addition to his academic achievements, Lieutenant Todd holds certifications as both an Emergency Manager and a Director of Emergency Management from the Minnesota Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Career Background: Lieutenant Todd is the first in his family to pursue a career in law enforcement. He began as a Police Reserve Officer with the City of Lino Lakes, where he served for two years before becoming a Police Officer for the City of Saint James. After two years in Saint James, he was hired by the Fridley Police Department, fulfilling a long-standing goal to serve the Fridley community.
Service at Fridley Public Safety: Over his 20-year career with the City of Fridley, Lieutenant Todd has held numerous roles and responsibilities. His titles have included Police Officer, Detective, Supervising Detective, Inspector, Sergeant, and currently, Lieutenant. He has served as a supervisor, background investigator, fleet coordinator, TASER instructor, Reserve Unit and Explorer Unit advisor, and Public Safety Data System CAD/Mobile Administrator for all 11 law enforcement agencies in Anoka County.
Why Fridley:
Lieutenant Todd first became familiar with Fridley during his time as a Police Reserve Officer, when the Lino Lakes and Fridley Police Departments partnered on prisoner transports. After completing school, Fridley was the first department he applied to, though he wasn’t selected at that time. After gaining experience elsewhere, he reapplied and was hired - a decision that has shaped a long and fulfilling career.
Fridley stands out as a truly unique place to work. It offers the fast-paced environment of a metro-area department, while maintaining the tight-knit, welcoming atmosphere of a small town. Just minutes from downtown Minneapolis, Fridley fosters a strong sense of community where staff across all departments work closely together, and everyone knows one another. It’s a place where collaboration is second nature, and where coworkers support one another like neighbors. This blend of metropolitan energy and small-town camaraderie makes Fridley an ideal place to build a meaningful and rewarding career in public service.
Introducing Our New Fire Marshal: Shelby Wolf
Shelby Wolf was selected as our new Fire Marshal-Chief 2. Chief Wolf comes to us from West Metro Fire District where she served since 2003 and filled the position of Deputy Fire Marshal since 2014. She has also worked as a Fire Inspector for the cities of Maple Grove and Brooklyn Park and brings a wealth of inspection and investigation knowledge to our team. She is an organized, diligent leader who truly puts the needs of the community first. Please join us in welcoming Chief Wolf to Fridley!
Attention Business Owners: Keep Lock Boxes Up to Date
This is a reminder to all business owners and property managers who have lock boxes to update the Fire Division with new keys and door fobs as you change locks and access control systems. This saves time during critical incidents and prevents property damage from forced entry. Any business or property that does not currently have a lock box can request an order form from the Fire Division at 763-572-3613.
Smoke Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Installation Program
Smoke Alarms
To date in 2025, the Fridley Fire Division has installed 92 smoke alarms in the homes of Fridley residents. 
The goal of this program is to reach every household in Fridley, helping to ensure every resident has working alarms and knows how to stay safe.
Why This Matters
According to the National Fire Protection Association:
- Having working smoke alarms in your home reduces the risk of dying in a home fire by 60%
- Three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or non-working alarms
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
The Fire Division received a $3,000 donation from the Fridley Lions Club to purchase Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms for residents in need.
CO is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas produced by the incomplete burning of fuels like wood, gas or oil. It is dangerous because it displaces oxygen in your bloodstream, starving your heart, brain and other vital organs of oxygen. It can cause sudden illness or death within minutes. Symptoms, which can resemble the flue, including headache, dizziness, confusion and weakness, but without a detector, people may not know they are being poisoned before it is too late.
Fire Equipment Updates
Mini Pumper
Fouts Fire delivered the mini pumper to Fridley. The truck is currently out for reflective graphics and lighting. It will be back and ready for use soon.
This vehicle provides the Fire Division with the ability to access and suppress fires in areas where a full-size engine cannot travel. Such as in areas off of paved road and areas with limited overhead space.
Aerial Two
While Aerial Two (A2) was out for repairs to the ladder, damage was discovered to the ladder's piston and a leak was found in the hydraulic line to the outriggers. These issues are being fixed but this has increased the time necessary to complete the repairs. We are looking forward to getting A2 back to service as soon as possible.
Successful Quarter for Public Education and Events
Fire Extinguisher Training
With the assistance of Fire Corps member Johnn Lindstrom, nearly 80 employees received fire extinguisher training from our digital training prop. This allows for simple, effective and safe training for people to become familiar with the basic operation of a portable fire extinguisher.
Faith and Safety Coalition
Public Safety personnel began the Public Safety Department's Faith and Safety Coalition earlier this year. The group brings together leaders from local faith-based establishments and Public Safety leaders to meet on a regular basis in order to support each other and make Fridley a better place to live.
Redeemer Church: Fire and EMS Safety Day
Fridley Fire visited Redeemer Lutheran Church to teach attendees about a variety of fire safety topics as well as teaching basic emergency medical care.
Smoke Detector Install Blitz
The smoke detector install blitz on Thursday, August 21 was a huge success! Fridley Fire visited 12 homes in the Onondaga - Park Plaza Cooperative - and installed 24 smoke detectors along with five CO detectors. Thank you to everyone who participated and thank you to Jeff Pribyl for your work coordinating this event.
Our Leaders are Readers
This summer Fridley Fire participated in Our Leaders are Readers! Staff had a great time reading different books about fire departments and an even better time showing everyone around the Fire Division.
Night to Unite
Thank you to everyone who took the time to meet with your Fridley firefighters on Night to Unite! We love getting to meet the residents we serve and talk to them about what matters in their neighborhoods.
Willows Bend Fall Prevention and Harbors Fire Safety Presentation
Fridley Fire visited several local senior living facilities to talk about how to remain safe in the event of a fire as well as talking about fall prevention strategies.
Touch-a-Truck and Popsicles with Public Safety
Residents saw firetrucks out at a Children's Concert and Popsicles with Public Safety event this summer! Both events had great turnouts and were fun ways to spend a summer day. We look forward to more events like this in the future!
Wheels of Honor
Wheels of Honor visited the Fridley Fire Division to honor the five-year anniversary of the late Fire Chief Michael Spencer on Saturday, September 13.
Minnesota Wheels of Honor is an organization that has been formed to bring honor, respect, dignity and awareness to those who serve, or have served, our communities whether in foreign lands, domestically or in our local neighborhoods.
These include Active Duty, Veterans, Retired, Fallen Heroes and their respective families within Military, Firefighters, First Responders and Law Enforcement.
Explorers Competition
The Fridley Fire Explorers competed in the State Fire Explorers Competition at the State Fair this August. They faced off against other Explorer Posts from around the state, competing in different fire and emergency medicine skills. The Explorers did a fantastic job while having a lot of fun!
October is Fire Prevention Month
Charge into Fire Safety! This year's Fire Prevention theme is Lithium-Ion Batteries. Follow these tips to stay safe:
- Buy only listed products
- Charge devices safely
- Recycle batteries res
Calls for Emergency Service
Fridley Fire Division has run a total of 2,423 calls as of September 19.