by Minneapolis Officers Walk the Beat at George Floyd Square, Hoping to Rebuild Trust
Two Minneapolis police officers are now permanently assigned to George Floyd Square—the site where George Floyd was murdered in 2020. This intersection, located at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, became a powerful symbol of the city’s grief, anger, and demand for justice. Now, five years later, it remains a place filled with both pain and hope.
From “No-Go Zone” to New Patrol Beat
In the immediate aftermath of Floyd’s death, the square was unofficially declared a “no-go zone” for police. Barricades blocked streets, and officers rarely responded to calls there—even when violence was reported. Though those physical barriers have since been removed, emotional ones still linger.
To help bridge the divide, Officers Xander Krohnfeldt and Drea Mays now walk the area five days a week. Their goal is simple: build relationships and earn back trust.
“It’s about connecting with the community and showing them we’re here to help,” Krohnfeldt said.
Listening, Not Just Policing
FOX 9 recently followed the two officers as they made their rounds, talking with residents and business owners. Many shared their frustration—not just about Floyd’s murder, but about what they see as years of neglect by city leaders and law enforcement.
Edwin Reed, owner of Sincere Detailing Pros, didn’t hold back. “Where were you guys for four years?” he asked. “I’ve been losing sleep worried about my business.”
Another resident passing by shared her own story. “I live right there. I just got robbed and almost killed,” she said. “Y’all need to do something.”
A Complicated Legacy
Krohnfeldt, who joined the department in 2021 after working as a paramedic, understands the complexity of the situation. He recalls responding to calls in the area and being told no police were available—even when ambulances asked for help.
“There were times when things were chaotic, and I was on an ambulance with no support,” he said. “That stuck with me.”
The Minneapolis Police Department, still under the shadow of multiple civil rights investigations, has been found to have a long-standing pattern of discrimination. Even city leaders acknowledge that fixing things isn’t just about the police—it’s about the entire system.
“There are deep systemic problems here,” Police Chief Brian O’Hara said earlier this year. “It’s not just the department—it’s society, city government, and beyond.”
Rebuilding, One Conversation at a Time
As they patrol the square, Krohnfeldt and Mays often hear the names of other Black men killed by police called out by residents. Instead of avoiding the discomfort, they lean into it.
“It makes me want to stop and talk,” Krohnfeldt said.
That’s exactly what they do—stepping into local businesses, chatting with neighbors, and listening without judgment.
“People want to be heard,” Mays said. “We’re here to truly listen, understand their concerns, and respond with empathy.”
George Floyd Square may still feel like a place of unresolved pain, but these two officers hope that by simply showing up—and showing they care—they can help start the healing process.
