Source: Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/news/local/14237433.htm
On April 1, 2006 the Pioneer Press reported, "The Minnesota Public Safety Department awarded a $250,000 grant to the St. Paul Police Department and partnering organizations for an outreach program with Muslim and Somali communities. Police will work with the St. Paul Intervention Project and the Minnesota Chapter of the Muslim American Society of America to develop the program, which will address issues like domestic assault and challenges facing women. Police Chief John Harrington announced the outreach program Friday morning. The project is an outgrowth of a master's thesis by Assistant Chief Dennis Jensen titled 'Enhancing Homeland Security Efforts by Building Stronger Relationships Between the Muslim Community and Local Law Enforcement.' Its goals include boosting immigrant understanding of the criminal justice system and increasing the Muslim community's role in 'affecting positive change' in various ways, such as reporting crimes, seeking protection and intervention by police, volunteer community policing and through battered women's advocacy and support services."