On the recommendation of City Attorney Ted Mellby, the council will receive written complaints during a 30-day window and will review the complaints in a private, closed council meeting at a later date.

Attorney Tom Murtha, of Murtha Law Office in Duluth, attended the April 7 regular council meeting on behalf of a number of business owners in Hackensack - asking that the council formally address citizen concerns about law enforcement's actions.

Approximately 30 people attended the meeting, crowding the council chambers, with some people standing in the entryway.

Hackensack Police Chief Joe Hastings was hired in April of 2007. The city also has two on-call "as needed" officers: Randy Yeats and Ed Franckowiak.

Murtha told the council that he'd talked to around 70 people who had complaints about law enforcement actions in Hackensack and that some of them felt that they had been harassed or intimidated after bringing up concerns.

"Obviously something is going on here and it's really hurting you as a community," Murtha said to the council.

Murtha recommended that the city council investigate complaints in an official manner.

Councilor Eugene "Curley" Franzwa said that he's never seen a formal, written complaint despite hearing verbal complaints from citizens. "All I've asked for is the facts and I've never gotten them," Franzwa said.

Franzwa added that Hackensack is not the only community to hear complaints regarding law enforcement, citing the recent Pequot Lakes Police forum held March 31 in Pequot Lakes to address concerns with law enforcement there.

Councilor John Chuba said that when he received previous verbal complaints regarding law enforcement that he had researched the incident and reported back to the individuals with the concerns. In the interim, however, rumors spread. Chuba also said that he had not been given any written complaints.

Councilor Ron Johnston said that he'd received one written complaint during a year's time and had investigated the complaint and gone to Mayor Erick Hedren with the concern; a letter was sent to the complainant in response.

"We went 17 years with basically minimal law enforcement," Johnston said. "We figured that there would be some backlash."

Sue Larson, Hackensack Chamber of Commerce secretary, read a statement stating that the chamber would not take a stand when it comes to political issues between citizens and the council unless 100 percent of their members are in agreement.

She also read a statement from the Hackensack Lions Club stating that the club will not take a position.

Although no motions were made, no councilors objected to Mellby's suggestion of a 30-day window to receive written complaints, followed by a private, internal investigation of allegations.

According to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law, "internal affairs data relating to allegations of law enforcement personnel misconduct" warrants a closed meeting. However, if any discipline is imposed, it must be made public along with any ensuing hearings.

"I'm open to anything that will put out the grass fire," Franzwa said.

Early in the meeting Councilor John Chuba commended Chief Joe Hastings for his recent work with the Safe and Sober enforcement program, sponsored by the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety.

Cass County is a 2008 recipient of both a Safe and Sober county grant and a NightCAP County grant. The Safe and Sober program targets speed, seatbelt use and impaired driving.