FARGO — Residents and visitors to downtown Fargo should expect to see more law enforcement visibility in the weeks ahead as the Fargo Police Department steps up its presence and coordinates with community partners to address homelessness, Chief Travis Stefonowicz said in an interview.
Greater downtown visibility, coordinated outreach
Stefonowicz told listeners on The Flag’s "What’s On Your Mind" program that officers have been more visible in the downtown area for about "the last six weeks to a couple of months." He said the increased presence will be noticeable during events such as the upcoming Downtown Street Fair.
"I think one thing people will notice, right away, is the amount of visibility that we’ve had downtown in the last six weeks to a couple of months,"
The chief described the approach as collaborative, involving business owners, residents and other public agencies. He emphasized that officers sometimes step into businesses to speak with staff or respond to an incident, and that visibility may ebb and flow as officers handle calls or conduct outreach.
Linking people to services, not just enforcement
Stefonowicz framed the effort as a team response to homelessness, saying police are focusing on the criminal elements of calls while partnering with public health and other initiatives to connect people with services. He said the goal is to ensure the right city and county resources are involved so police can concentrate on law enforcement duties.
- Increased patrol visibility downtown, ongoing for several weeks.
- Collaboration with public health and community initiatives to address homelessness.
- Resource and Recovery Center relocated out of the core downtown area.
The Resource and Recovery Center, previously located in the downtown area, has been moved to First Avenue North near Brewhalla, the chief noted. The relocation is part of the broader effort to align services and direct people to appropriate support outside the main commercial corridor.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Increased police visibility | Ongoing for roughly six weeks to a couple months; expected during Downtown Street Fair |
| Resource and Recovery Center | Moved to First Avenue North near Brewhalla |
For downtown businesses and visitors, the immediate impact will be more uniformed officers in public spaces. City leaders and service providers will likely face increased pressure to ensure outreach and support services are available and coordinated with police efforts.
As Fargo heads into the busy summer event season, city residents and those planning to attend the Street Fair should watch for informational updates from the Police Department and service partners on how outreach and enforcement activities will be balanced.
