By Anne Holzman

Nearly a decade after a St. Anthony police officer fatally shot Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, the two cities will resume their shared policing under a new arrangement that will also help St. Anthony finance updated headquarters for its force.

         In early November, St. Anthony Village and Falcon Heights were finalizing a multi-year contract under which limited patrols and 24/7 call service will begin March 1, 2025, with a goal of ramping up to 24-hour patrols in 2026.

City leaders emphasized that Falcon Heights callers will receive emergency responses from the beginning, at any time of day.

         The limited service in 2025 will give St. Anthony time to hire more officers and reconfigure its staffing. Falcon Heights extended the current contract with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office to supply policing services through Feb. 28, 2025.

         The City of Lauderdale also receives police services from St. Anthony Village.

         Falcon Heights City Administrator Jack Linehan said the city’s budget for 2025 will reflect the more limited services. Monthly police expenses will grow as services are added.

         Linehan told the Bugle, “Our adopted preliminary levy in September used $1.85 million as our budget estimate, so residents will likely see a final levy that is [about] $150,000 to $200,000 less than we initially proposed thanks to the savings in the agreement.”

         In a brief discussion before unanimously voting to move forward in October, Falcon Heights council members thanked staff and community members in both cities. Each spoke in turn about their relief in settling the matter.

         “I’m optimistic about this partnership moving forward,” council member Eric Meyer said, “and I’m honored to have played a small part in it.”

Anne Holzman is a Twin Cities freelance writer who cover Falcon Heights city government news.