Latest news with #AnokaCounty
CBS News
03-07-2025
- CBS News
Anoka County 911 center testing AI to screen nonemergency calls, ease workload
How 911 dispatchers are using AI to handle nonemergency calls on busy nights How 911 dispatchers are using AI to handle nonemergency calls on busy nights How 911 dispatchers are using AI to handle nonemergency calls on busy nights Skies will be lighting up with fireworks on Friday, but so will 911 lines. Emergency response dispatchers face a flood of calls on the fourth. On average, about 1,900 calls come into the c Facility (ECF) in Plymouth. Officials say that number spikes on July Fourth. In 2021, over 2,700 calls came in 24 hours. "The Fourth of July is probably our busiest holiday we see," said Tony Martin, Director of Emergency Communications at Hennepin County Sheriff's Office. Martin says local 911 centers are overloaded, the surge largely due to an uptick in nonemergency fireworks complaints, meaning one less dispatcher available to answer a call for a crime in progress, a medical emergency or a fire. "We would ask people to call our nonemergency number if you need to call in fireworks complaints," Martin said. As the calls start to roll in on the Fourth of July weekend, Anoka County's 911 center is tapping into an artificial intelligence system to screen nonemergency calls to ease the workload and get to more calls. The call will be transferred to the automated system to collect details before sending it back to the dispatcher to send to the appropriate agency. "You can't take the human out of 911, but if we are also going to be here, we need to be more available for the emergencies," said Kari Morrissey with Anoka County Emergency Communications Center. Morrissey says this new system is being rolled out this holiday weekend to test how well it works before the full rollout to use AI during major holidays. "It's going to save us, we think about two to three minutes per call, and will free up dispatchers to get to those priority calls," Morrissey said. Saving critical time, when every second counts. In Minneapolis, residents can call 311 for noise complaints. In Anoka County, the non-emergency number is 763-427-1212. In Hennepin County, the non-emergency number is 952-258-5321.
CBS News
02-07-2025
- CBS News
Teen charged in fatal shooting of Twin Cities high school senior will be tried as an adult
One of four teens charged in the shooting death of a Twin Cities high school senior during a robbery earlier this year will be tried as an adult. Malik Perales, 18, was indicted last week on a first-degree murder charge in the March 2 death of 18-year-old Diamond Manly, according to a criminal complaint filed in Anoka County. Perales was 17 at the time of the shooting. In addition to first-degree murder, Perales is facing one count of second-degree murder and one count of first-degree aggravated robbery. Three other boys, ages 14 through 17, were charged in juvenile court just weeks after the shooting. Investigators were able to track them down using surveillance video and phone data. Charges say one of the boys allegedly told police that Perales "indicated his intention to rob" Manly when they met him under the guise of buying THC vape cartridges from him. Three of the boys went to meet Manly, who was inside his car while they were in the street, according to charging documents. Manly had his driver's window partially rolled down when one of the boys asked to see the cartridges. That's when one of the suspects says Manly tried to drive away, but Perales pulled out a gun from his backpack and shot him through the open window. Perales allegedly then stole money and cartridges from Manly. Charges say in a search of Perales' residence, police found marijuana cartridges in his bedroom matching those depicted in a Snapchat photo sent by Manly to one of the boys. They also allegedly found cash and cartridges containing both Manly's and Perales' DNA. If convicted of first-degree murder, Perales could be sentenced to life in prison. Note: The video above originally aired on March 3, 2025.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
Search for Manny Collins: Columbia Heights teen last seen 1 month ago
The Brief June 8th marks one month since 16-year-old Manny Collins went missing in Columbia Heights. Investigators believe he went missing against his will. The Anoka County Sheriff's Office revealed Friday, that investigators are searching an Elk River landfill in hopes of finding evidence that could lead them to Manny. COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, Minn. (FOX 9) - It's been one month since Columbia Heights teen Manny Collins went missing under circumstances that, police believe, were against his will. Timeline A mom has been without her son for a month now. On May 8, Manny Collins was last seen in Columbia Heights at49th and University. That was the last time Ashley Berry heard from her son Manny. "His last text from me was at 4 a.m., that he liked my message about the allowance. He said, thank you, Mom. I appreciate you. I love you. I'll see you soon," said Berry on May 28 at an Anoka County Sheriff's Office news conference. Manny was reported missing on May 12th. An alert went out for him on the 19th. On May 28, the story echoed across Minnesota, as his mother made a plea for her son to come home. "16 year olds don't just disconnect the way Manny did via social media. So I would say we're all convinced he's disappeared against his will," said Anoka County Sheriff Brad Wise on May 28. The backstory The Anoka County Sheriff's Office was at the apartment building where Manny Collins was staying with his father. Investigators say he was last seen in Columbia Heights with his father. Our cameras were there, as investigators removed items from Manny's father's apartment. That same day, Fox 9 spoke to Manny's uncle. "My nephew is missing and the last person he was seen with, it's not rocket science, we're not building rockets man it's common sense. He's yelling I need a lawyer I need a lawyer," said Mike Wilson, Manny's Uncle on May 29th. Local perspective In their latest briefing on Friday, investigators revealed that they had begun searching the Elk River Landfill on Wednesday, looking for further evidence that could help find Manny. "When we're looking for something, we might end up having to contact, say, if it was a home over here, where does their refuse go? And that would lead us to go to a certain landfill," said Wayne Heath, commander with the Anoka County Sheriff's Office on Friday. Investigators say they have a person of interest but would not disclose who it is. Manny's mother told us on Friday that she is overwhelmed, as she has no information on where her son might be.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
1 dead after shooting in Northtown Mall parking lot
1 dead after shooting in Northtown Mall parking lot originally appeared on Bring Me The News. A man was shot dead in the parking lot of Northtown Mall in Blaine Friday evening. According to the Anoka County Sheriff's Office, the shooting was reported around 5:15 p.m., with first responders arriving to find the victim, who was pronounced dead after lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful. The shooting happened in the parking lot outside the Best Buy retail outlet. Authorities were searching for three males who reportedly ran from the scene. One of them was arrested while the others have yet to be apprehended. The man killed in the shooting has not been identified. Last September, a 21-year-old was charged for firing a gun outside Northtown Mall, with at least one round striking a display case inside the mall. That incident resulted in shoppers and staff inside the mall taking cover. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
CBS News
07-06-2025
- CBS News
1 dead, 1 detained after shooting outside mall north of Twin Cities
A male is dead and another is in custody after a shooting in the parking lot of a Blaine, Minnesota, mall on Friday evening, according to the Anoka County Sheriff's Office. Law enforcement responded to Northtown Mall around 5:13 p.m. for a report of shots fired in the parking lot. Responding officials found a male with an "apparent gunshot wound," according to the sheriff's office. He was taken to the hospital where he later died. Investigators say witnesses saw three males leaving the scene. One of those males has since been detained, and officials are looking for the other two. The sheriff's office says there is no threat to the public, and the investigation is ongoing. Police surround Northtown Mall in Blaine, Minnesota, on June 6, 2025. WCCO
