The Wayzata City Council has sent a formal letter to Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty expressing opposition to a new county policy that limits prosecution of cases arising from what are deemed non-public-safety traffic stops.
The letter, signed by Mayor Andrew Mullin and Council Members Dan Koch, Molly MacDonald, Alex Plechash,and Ken Sorensen, was transmitted October 14 by Interim City Manager Aurora Yager. It warns that the policy change could undermine local public safety and was developed “without any meaningful collaboration or conversation with local law enforcement agencies.”
In a public post shared Tuesday, Mayor Mullin echoed the Council’s concerns and voiced support for Wayzata Police Chief Jamie Baker and neighboring departments.
“The City of Wayzata has serious concerns about this policy,” Mullin wrote. “We believe this change will negatively impact our public safety practices and, most importantly, your safety here in Wayzata.”
Mullin said the city’s objections center on three main points: a lack of collaboration with local police; the unintended consequences of restricting enforcement tools; and the need to align reform goals with “the operational realities and specific needs of cities like Wayzata.”
The policy, effective October 15, directs county prosecutors to “prioritize charging offenses that arise from traffic stops that focus on public safety.” Under the new framework, cases that stem from stops for minor equipment or registration violations—such as expired tabs, a broken headlight, or an obstructed license plate—will generally not be prosecuted unless the stop involves a substantial and immediate risk to public safety.
In its letter, the Wayzata City Council said traffic stops serve multiple purposes beyond issuing citations and should not be curtailed without careful study.
“Traffic stops serve multiple public safety functions,” the letter states. “Any policy that restricts them should be developed through careful analysis and input from those with on-the-ground expertise.”
The Council emphasized that while it supports fair and equitable enforcement, meaningful change requires joint decision-making between prosecutors and the officers who enforce the law.
“Public safety is not an issue that can be effectively addressed in isolation,” the Council wrote. “Better outcomes are achieved when policy development includes those who will implement the policies and live with their consequences.”
Yager, in her accompanying message to Moriarty, invited dialogue:
“Should you or your staff have any questions of Wayzata, please do not hesitate to reach out and we would be happy to discuss this more.”
The County Attorney’s Office has said the new policy is intended to build public trust and focus limited resources on cases that most directly impact safety, such as speeding, impaired driving, and reckless behavior. Exceptions to the non-charging rule will be reviewed “on a case-by-case basis in circumstances that endanger public safety.”
Wayzata joins a growing number of suburban cities expressing unease about the countywide change, which affects all police departments that rely on Hennepin County for criminal prosecution.
Policy at a Glance: What Counts as a “Non-Public-Safety” Traffic Stop
(Effective October 15, 2025 — Hennepin County Attorney’s Office)
The County Attorney’s Office will presumptively not charge cases that result from stops based solely on the following minor violations unless a clear safety threat exists:
- Expired or missing registration tabs
- Failure to illuminate license plate
- Frame or rim obscuring license plate
- One broken headlight, brake light, or taillight
- One missing sideview mirror
- Rearview mirror obstruction or dangling item
- Nonfunctional windshield wipers
- Failure to signal when not creating a hazard
- Cracked windshield that doesn’t obstruct view
- Window tint darker than legal limit, unless unsafe
