Community programs
Get involved with the sheriff’s office in a variety of positive ways.
Night to Unite 2026
Night to Unite 2026
Date: August 4, 2026
Building safer communities one block at a time.
On one August evening each year, neighborhoods across our county come together with a shared purpose: connection. Night to Unite is more than a gathering, it’s a powerful reminder that public safety starts with strong relationships.
From backyard barbecues to block parties, residents, deputies, and community partners step out from behind their usual roles to meet face-to-face, build trust, and strengthen the partnerships that keep our neighborhoods safe.
What is Night to Unite?
Night to Unite is a community-building event that encourages neighbors to connect with one another and with their local law enforcement. It’s about:
- Strengthening relationships between residents and deputies
- Building a sense of community and belonging
- Creating safer, more connected neighborhoods
- Opening the door for positive, meaningful conversations
When neighbors know each other—and know their deputies—communities are stronger and safer.
Invite the Sheriff’s Office
Planning a Night to Unite gathering on August 4, 2026? We’d love to join you.
Members of the Sheriff’s Office including deputies, staff, and leadership will be visiting neighborhood events throughout the evening. While we can’t guarantee attendance at every event, we do our best to connect with as many communities as possible.
👉 Invite us to your Night to Unite.
Registration ends July 28, 2026.
(Be sure to register early to help us plan routes and maximize visits.)
Start Your Own Night to Unite Party
Hosting is easier than you think!
Simple ways to get started:
- Pick a location (driveway, yard, park, or shared space)
- Invite your neighbors (flyers, social media, word of mouth)
- Keep it simple: potluck, snacks, or just conversation
- Add activities like games, music, or kids’ activities
- Consider a theme to bring people together
- And make sure to invite us!
Helpful tips:
- Plan ahead and spread the word early
- Make it welcoming and inclusive for all neighbors
- Keep safety in mind (lighting, visibility, etc.)
- Don’t stress about perfection. Connection is the goal!
Why It Matters
Public safety is a shared responsibility. Night to Unite creates space for real conversations, stronger relationships, and a deeper sense of trust between law enforcement and the communities we serve.
One night. One conversation. One connection at a time.
Join Us
Whether you attend, host, or simply stop by a neighbor’s gathering, you’re part of something bigger.
Together, we’re building safer communities.
Request stickers for special needs residents
We offer free stickers for your front door so first responders know someone with a disability lives there.
You can request 4 types of stickers for an occupant who may:
- Be autistic or have special needs
- Be deaf or hearing impaired
- Have dementia or Alzheimer's
- Be a person with a disability
Request sheriff's staff at your event
Sheriff’s staff meet with many diverse communities at businesses, schools, and community and cultural events.
Our staff includes community liaisons who can speak with residents in their preferred language.
Our staff can:
- Add context to community conversations
- Talk about law enforcement topics, including those that are culturally specific
- Give information about working at the sheriff’s office
- Collaborate on solutions to community safety issues
- Do demonstrations with canine (K9) officers, vehicles and specialized equipment
You can invite a staff member to a community event or meeting.
To request sheriff’s staff attend your event or meet with your community, send an email.
Cold weather donation drive
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office conducts an annual donation drive to collect cold weather items for those in need, including homeless and unsheltered individuals in Hennepin County.
Donated items will be distributed through various means, including through the HCSO Community Engagement Team and directly to individuals visiting the homeless outreach center at the Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Cold weather items may also be provided to individuals leaving jail or court hearings without adequate clothing, or anyone in else in need that HCSO or Hennepin County Library employees encounter in the course of their duties.
Items being requested include new or gently used coats, hats, mittens, boots, and scarves; new socks, and disposable hand/foot warmers. HCSO requests that individuals do not donate used items that require extensive cleaning or repair.
HCSO Locations
- Sheriff's Administration: 350 S 5th St, Room 6, Minneapolis, MN 55415 (8 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
- Sheriff's Forensic Science Lab: 531 Park Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55415 (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
- Sheriff's Public Safety Facility: 401 S 4th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55415 (24 hours)
- Sheriff's Water Patrol: 4141 Shoreline Dr, Spring Park, MN 55384 (8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
- Sheriff's Emergency Communications Facility: 1245 Shenandoah Lane N, Plymouth, MN 55447 (8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
- Hennepin County Government Center: 300 S. 6th St., Tower A, Minneapolis, MN 55418 (8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
Hennepin County Library Locations:
Click here for hours
- Arvonne Fraser:122 4th St. SE, Minneapolis
- Augsburg Park:7100 Nicollet Ave, Richfield, MN
- Brookdale: 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Brooklyn Center
- Champlin: 12154 Ensign Ave. N, Champlin
- East Lake: 2727 East Lake St., Minneapolis
- Edina: 5280 Grandview Square, Edina
- Excelsior: 337 Water St., Excelsior
- Golden Valley: 830 Winnetka Ave. N, Golden Valley
- Linden Hills: 2900 W. 43rd St., Minneapolis
- Maple Grove: 8001 Main St. N, Maple Grove
- Maple Plain: 5184 Main St. E, Maple Plain
- Minneapolis Central: 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
- Nokomis: 5100 34th S., Minneapolis
- North Regional: 1315 Lowry Ave. N, Minneapolis
- Oxboro: 8801 Portland Ave. S, Bloomington
- Penn Lake: 8800 Penn Ave. S, Minneapolis
- Pierre Bottineau: 55 Broadway St. NE, Minneapolis
- Plymouth: 15700 36th Ave. N, Plymouth
- Ridgedale: 12601 Ridgedale Dr., Minnetonka
- Roosevelt: 4026 28th Ave. S, Minneapolis
- Sumner: 611 Van white Memorial Blvd, Minneapolis
- Washburn: 5244 Lyndale Ave., S, Minneapolis
- Wayzata: 620 Rice St., Wayzata
Attend the citizen academy
This eight-week program is designed to give participants insight into public safety and the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office. It is open to the public and free. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
The program runs one night a week for 8 weeks and includes visits to our facilities around the county, including the Public Safety Facility (jail) and Emergency Communications Center (911 dispatch).
The 2025 Citizens Academy will take place in the fall on Thursday evenings from September 18 to November 6. Applications are being accepted now.
Submit a tip to the sheriff's office
Examples of what to report
- Drug activity
- Cold cases (cases open for a long period of time without progress)
- Suspicious activity
- General crime (not an emergency, but an ongoing issue)
Ways to submit tips
- Submit an anonymous tip online
- Call 1-888-988-TIPS (8477)
- Text 847 411 – Start message with “HCSOTip”
- Crime Stoppers of MN
- For an emergency, call 911